“I’m sorry.” He actually looks a little sheepish, and I stand there in shock for a moment wondering if I misunderstood him. “I’ll have a new one here in the morning.”
“Of course you’re sorry now,” I sputter, unable to think of anything else to say, and his lips twitch. I turn around because he’s too handsome to stare at. I’m just happy I’m not turning into the lovestruck girl that I used to be when I heard his name or saw him around town.
That died the day he asked for my sister's hand in marriage. Though he really hadn’t in the end, none of this would have been a mix-up in the first place if he didn’t spend his whole life ignoring me. Is this how he plans to make it right?
“Would you like to get changed?”
“I liked the outfit I had on before I was tossed into the water like I was nothing more than a rag doll.” I turn back around to face him, which is a terrible idea. It’s hard to keep my anger when I’m staring at how hot he is. I hate how I’ve dreamed of his big body on top of mine, holding me close when I needed it most.
“I’m sure you can find something to your liking in your closet.”
I perk up at this new information. All my stuff is back at my parents’ house.
“You’re taking me home?”
His smug look turns into a full smile, and I want to smack it. And possibly do other things to it, but I can’t focus on that right this second.
“You are home.”
Before I can come up with my own reply, he’s lifting me into his arms and carrying me up the stairs.
“I’m not a doll. I know how to walk, you jerk.”
A second later he plops me down on one of the softest beds I’ve ever felt. I look around the beautiful bedroom in shock because it’s perfect. There’s light gray wood flooring and giant windows overlooking the fields in the back.
This place could be in a home interiors magazine, and I know because I love them. I steal them out of the mailbox each month and bookmark my favorites by turning down the corners of the pages.
“No, you’re not a doll, you're my wife.” He stands at the edge of the bed, looking down at me.
One of these days I’m going to get to look down at him. Then my mind flashes to how that would be possible, and I instantly feel heat lick through my body.
“This is a really lovely guest room you have here, Judge. I’ve been wondering what the house was going to look like.”
He’s been building it for over a year now. I heard the other house he used to live in is now where the foreman lives. Judge can be a jerk, but it's never been said he isn't generous to the people who work for him.
“You can call our bedroom whatever you like, wife. Just know your ass will be in that bed every night.” With that, he leaves me alone in the middle of the bed.
I sit there thinking that he’s going to come back at any moment, but after five minutes I roll off the bed. I walk over to the door and poke my head out, seeing if anyone is there, but the hallway is empty.
This is really happening.
I step back into the bedroom and lock the door. He broke my heart once, and I refuse to let him do it again. Married or not.
Chapter Four Judge
It’s only an hour before I walk back into the house, but it’s as long as I can give her. Being away from Kitty doesn’t sit right with me, but it’s even worse because she’s my bride now.
Mine.
I don’t like to think about all those thoughts I had of her before yesterday—before she was legal. So instead I push them out of my mind and go in the house to search for my wife.
I kept an eye on the cameras while I did some things outside. I felt like a jackass for destroying her phone and made sure another one would be here first thing in the morning. It’s not often in my life I’m put on the back foot, but Kitty has me practically on my knees. That little dark-haired thing is going to wreck me, and she damn well knows it.
When I get inside, I walk straight up to the bedroom and test the door. I smile to myself when I feel it’s locked, then reach above the doorframe and take out the hidden key. I use it to open the door then put the key back for what I’m sure will be the next time she tries to keep me out. Joke’s on her—there’s not a fucking thing that could keep me from her.
In the distance I can hear water running, and heat crawls up my back. It sounds like the tub has been turned on, so I kick off my boots and pad to the bathroom. As quietly as I can, I walk to the attached bath and see the door is opened a bit. I ease it open a little more and on the other side of the room Kitty is soaking in the bathtub and turning off the tap with her toes.
I clench my jaw as I step closer, and she closes her eyes.
