59. Luke

Chapter 59

Luke

“Luke!Oh my god, Luke, wake up!” Natalie’s voice finally breaks through my dream.

“Huh?” I lift my head, then groan. “Oh fuck.” I drop my head back down, feeling like I was hit by a truck.

“Luke, you need to wake up.”

Hearing the stress in her voice, I pry my eyes open. “What time is it?”

“Seven.”

I reach for her with a groan. “It’s too early, Green Eyes.”

She’s standing next to the bed, and my fingers brush silk before being slapped away.

I smile even as my head throbs.

“Player, you need to focus.” Natalie pokes her finger into my bare side.

Not remembering closing them, I open my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

She’s staring down at me, looking so pretty.

“Do you remember that paper we signed before leaving the party last night?” she asks me.

“Yeah, the photo disclosure.” I reach for her again. “You look so pretty.”

Her lips twist like she’s trying not to smile. “This is serious, Luke.”

“So am I.” I roll onto my back. “Come here and I’ll show you just how much I mean it.”

“Luke.” She holds up the paper, and I can see the creases where it had been folded. “This isn’t a disclosure. It’s a marriage certificate.”

“Whose marriage certificate?” I try to read it, but it’s not angled toward me.

Natalie puffs out her cheeks. “Ours. This is our marriage certificate.”

I blink at her.

And I think about what she just said.

Then I think about last night.

The invitation only.

The sea of couples. All couples.

I think about the DJ telling us to say I love you and our promises to not be hos anymore.

And I think about the way we were told to kiss.

“Did you hear me?” Natalie shakes the paper.

I swing my feet over the edge of the bed and sit up. “I heard you, Wife.”

I grip her hips and pull her in a step so she’s standing between my knees.

“Luke, we can’t be married.” Her stern tone falters when I slide my hand under the hem of her shirt and run my thumb across the warm skin just above the band of her pants, where I know that pretty tattoo is.

“I’ll admit, it wasn’t part of my plan for last night, but if the paper says we are.” I lift the bottom of her shirt so I can press a kiss to the soft skin of her hip.

A palm connects with my forehead and pushes. “Luke, I’m gonna miss my flight if I don’t leave right now.”

I grumble but drop my hold of her.

I want to tell her to stay, but I know she’s leaving for a meeting, and I won’t fuck up her work.

She hesitates, then leans down and presses her lips to mine.

It’s quick.

And adorable.

I grin up at her as she backs away. “What about the Mr. and Mrs. thing?”

“I’ll figure it out.” She grabs the handle of her suitcase. “But you should get down to your room before you fall asleep again.”

My grin turns into a frown. She’s right, but I don’t want to get up.

Natalie starts toward the living room area but glances over her shoulder at me.

I watch her eyes travel the length of my naked torso. “Bye, Mr. Muscles.”

My grin returns. “Bye, Mrs. Anders.”

She shakes her head, but I don’t miss the way she bites down on her lip.

I shouldn’t love teasing her so much.

And certainly not over the fact that we’re apparently married.

But it’s just second nature. And she’s always so entertaining to fluster.

The hotel door clicks shut, marking Natalie’s exit, and I drop onto my back and stare up at the ceiling.

How the hell did we let that happen?

And why am I not freaking out?

When my eyes start to shut, I force myself to get up.

With nothing left in Natalie’s monstrous room but my clothes from last night, I put them on and pick up my slushie cup.

I pat my pockets, double-checking for my wallet, and find something else I’d forgotten about.

I slide my hand into my front pocket and pull out the little white party bag.

And when I pull the drawstring open, it’s my turn to shake my head.

Two bright pink rings. I take the bigger one out and test the size.

The soft silicone material slides easily onto my ring finger, fitting surprisingly well.

I like it.

It’s crazy.

The wedding. The rings. The girl I met about a month ago.

It’s completely unhinged.

Something my mom will want to smack me for doing.

But… I don’t think I’ll mind being married to Natalie Wagner.