Page 53 of Hot & Heavy

"No, I'm not happy," Ian told her, disgust thick in his voice. But when JAM asked him, "Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" he said "Yes."

After a bunch of words, most of which Madrene did not understand, JAM announced, "By the power granted me by church and state, I now pronounce you man and wife."

I cannot believe I am wed-fast again. I vowed never to take another man into my life. It hurts too much. Ah, but I have no choice. No choice at all. And that is ever a woman's lot. I thought I was different.

JAM had been serious throughout the short ceremony, but now he winked at Ian. "You may now kiss the bride." The other SEALs, the two female soldiers and many other military friends present to bear witness clapped and chanted, "Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

Ian was as surprised as Madrene by that suggestion, but she was the first to react by snorting her revulsion and stomping down the steps of the makeshift altar. She had only gone down two steps when Ian grabbed her by the upper arm and pulled her back.

"If I'm going to be leg-shackled to a shrew—" Ian said for her ears only.

Wait just a bloody minute. I am the one being leg-shackled here.

"—I am going to get some recompense."

If I had coins, I would not be in this predicament.

With his words, he hauled her flush against his body, one hand around her waist and the other buried in her hair.

Oh. That kind of recompense.

Their eyes locked for one long second.

She wanted to protest, but her limbs and tongue were frozen. His mouth spoke anger, but his eyes—

brown as clover honey—entreated her to surrender.

And then he kissed her.

Nay, kiss was too weak a word for what he did.

His lips were not rough on hers, as Karl's had been most times, especially when he had the alehead.

Instead, his firm lips moved back and forth till he found just the spot he wanted. Then his lips coaxed hers in the most compelling way to return his kiss.

And she did. Blessed Frigg! She did.

It was too much, and not nearly enough.

With a soft moan against his open mouth, she raised her arms around his neck and pressed her body even closer. For the first time in her life, she relished the difference between man and woman. For the first time in her life, she did not disdain the softness of a woman's body or the hardness of a man's. When he teased her mouth with his tongue, she gasped, and he used that opportunity to slip his tongue inside.

She was not sure whether to be outraged or excited.

No contest. She was excited. In fact, her knees buckled.

With a chuckle, he caught her, and only then did he draw away from her. But he still held her in a close embrace.

They both stared at each other with shock. What had just happened? The brute had hoped to punish her with a humiliating kiss. But instead, they had both been overcome with… what? She could not say, having never experienced such a pull toward another human being. And she could see that Ian felt the same. They were in their own small world, and it was a blissful place.

But then the rest of the world intruded. All around them, people were offering congratulations, as if this marriage were something to celebrate. The men suggested coarse ideas for Ian to use in the bed furs, as if there would be bed play between them. Amber and Dough-lore-ass had tears in their eyes, as if this joining came from love. But it was done, and Madrene was safe, for now. She should be thankful.

Turning to her new husband— what a thought!—she said, "Thank you."

He just grumbled.

Boar! "Once I get my bearings, I will be off, believe you me. I have friends in high places."

He rolled his eyes.