Gage’s lips caressed hers once more in a light kiss even as he pulled the damaged daisies from her hand. When his head lifted, his blue eyes seemed even brighter. “Good. If you’re not afraid, then come marry me.” A thread of demand underscored the words.

Gage wasn’t usually the demanding sort. He was more easygoing, more—

He tossed the daisies on a nearby chair and threaded his fingers through hers. “Want me to carry you?” His smile flashed again.

That smile of his was like her freaking kryptonite. No man should have a smile that melted panties. His did.

The organ began to play again. One foot in front of the other. Kayla took a deep breath and began to walk. One foot.

Gage was right by her side.

In front of the other.

Before she knew it, they were standing in front of the minister. He was smiling and the light reflected off the top of his bald head. He was talking. Nodding. Looking all pleased and happy.

Kayla couldn’t hear a word he said. Her heart raced too fast and too loud for that.

Gage kept a tight hold on her hand. Probably because he was afraid she’d make a break for it.

But Kayla wasn’t leaving. She’d never left a job before, and she wouldn’t start now. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Gage. Poor guy. He had no idea what was coming for him. Did he think this was some kind of epic romance?

Think again.

She was the predator. He was the prey. And, soon enough, he’d grow to hate her.

Gage nudged her. When she glanced up and found the minister staring at her, Kayla realized she was supposed to speak. “Uh, I do.” That was what folks always said, right? Promise to love, honor, and cherish.

But what she’d really do . . . Lie, betray, hurt.

Her chest began to ache. This wasn’t what she wanted. Why couldn’t things have been simpler for her? For him?

The minister beamed. Gage’s strong voice rumbled beside her as he made his vow.

And she hated her life. Just once, she wished she could be normal. A woman in love—a woman actually marrying the man of her dreams.

Instead of just being a woman who was using herself as bait to set up her groom.

Gage turned her toward him. Even over the thud of her heartbeat, Kayla heard the minister say that Gage could kiss his wife.

“Hello, wife,” Gage murmured, and finally—finally—the wild thud of her heartbeat quieted, because it stopped for a few seconds. “You’re mine, now. Forever.” The words held a hard edge that she’d never heard before in his voice.

Then Gage kissed her. Not the light, teasing kisses that he’d given her before. An openmouthed, hot, I-want-you-naked kiss that sent a shudder through her whole body.

She kissed him back just as wildly. Because despite all the other madness that was happening, Kayla did want her husband. And,before he found out the truth about her and this little fantasy came to a crashing end, she’d have him.

The hotel room was one of those ridiculous pink explosions that you found in Vegas. A romance-ready room. Heart-shaped Jacuzzi. Rose petals scattered on the floor and on the massive bed. Pink champagne chilling next to a box of chocolates on the bedside table.

But when Gage carried Kayla inside the decked out room, his bride didn’t so much as give the surroundings a glance. Her eyes, big, gold, fuck-me eyes, were on him. Her hands curled around his neck. “I want you.” Her soft confession.

Did she actually sound a little surprised by that fact?

Damn, sometimes, she was so adorable . . . he could just eat her. Actually, he would.

He couldn’t believe that he’d gotten her to marry him. The lady had sure surprised him on that one. He’d been expecting her to run as fast as she could.

But she’d straightened her slim shoulders. Lifted her slightly pointed chin. And let him drag her down the aisle.

A surprise, but he wouldn’t question fate. Not then.

Gage kicked the hotel room door closed and carried Kayla to the bed. He’d been wanting to get her naked and beneath him since the first night they met. Now that he had her in that room with him, nothing was going to stop him from claiming her.

Except . . .

Kayla put her hand on his chest when he closed in on her. Gage was leaning over the bed, more than ready to taste her, when her small hand slammed into his chest.

“I . . . ah . . . need a minute.”

Seriously? She’d put him off for weeks. Tempting him with that sweet ass and those curving breasts, and now that she was legally his, the woman was still putting the brakes on things?

He barely bit back a growl. A man’s control could last only so long.

But he pulled away. Stood. Began to strip.

Her eyes widened as she looked at his chest, and her pink tongue slipped out to lick along her plump lower lip. He had plans for that tongue. And for her.

Sexy little Kayla Kincaid. The first time he’d seen her, he’d gotten hard and territorial. One look, and he’d thought . . . mine.

Sometimes, you knew what you wanted with one glance.

She eased onto her feet. Stood beside him a moment. The top of her head barely skimmed his shoulders. Her dark hair, silky, curling lightly, drifted down her back as she tilted her head to stare up at him. “I’ll be right back,” she promised.

His gaze dropped to her lips. Full, red. Bitable. Just like the rest of her.

He did like to bite.

Kayla turned away and darted into the bathroom. Hurry back, sweetheart.

His control wasn’t lasting much longer.

He wanted her in that bed. Wanted her spread wide. And he wanted to hear her scream his name.