Chapter3 A Wedding Out of Place
Chloe
The ceremony was brief.
When the officiant asked Julian if he took me as his wife, his "I do" was firm, unwavering, his eyes never leaving mine.
But there was something else in that gaze—a question, a challenge, like he was trying to solve a puzzle he couldn't quite see.
"Do you, Chloe Harrison, take Julian Astor to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
I thought of Mom hooked up to machines, Ethan sleeping peacefully in our cramped apartment, Mia celebrating what she thought was my downfall.
"I do."
Julian pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a two-carat cushion-cut diamond set in platinum, catching the morning light and throwing rainbows across the grass.
He slid it onto my finger—a perfect fit. His thumb traced my wrist, and I felt that same electric current from the conference room.
I fumbled with the simple gold band I'd bought, my hands shaking as I slipped it onto his finger.
"You may kiss the bride."
Julian's hands framed my face, his touch gentle but deliberate. His lips brushed mine, soft at first, then deeper, more certain. One hand slid to my waist, fingers splaying against the fabric of my dress as if memorizing my shape.
I went rigid.
The touch was innocent, but something about it—the pressure, the way his thumb moved in a small circle—sent me hurtling back to that hotel room. To hands I couldn't see in the darkness, touching me with the same careful deliberation.
Julian pulled back slightly, forehead resting against mine. "Breathe," he whispered.
I realized I'd stopped.
"Sorry," I choked out.
"Don't be." His hand stayed warm and steady on my waist. "You're mine now. That's all that matters."
The possessiveness should have scared me. Instead, it sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.
---
We signed the marriage certificate in a small office. Julian stood by the window afterward, his platinum Patek Philippe watch chain catching the light.
"So, Mrs. Astor. How does it feel?"
"Surreal."
He finally looked at me, and I caught something flicker across his face—confusion warring with certainty, like a man who'd found a puzzle piece that fit but couldn't see the full picture yet.
His amber eyes narrowed slightly, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
"We need to discuss the terms," he said, his voice dropping into a more businesslike register even as his gaze remained heated.
"This marriage stays private for now. No announcements, no public appearances together. My grandmother knows, obviously, but beyond that..."
"I understand." Relief flooded through me. The last thing I needed was Mia finding out before I was ready. "I prefer it that way too."
"Good." He moved to lean against the desk, arms crossed. "We keep our lives separate. You do what you need to do, I do what I need to do. No questions, no interference."
"Agreed."
But even as he said it, his jaw tightened, and I saw his fingers curl slightly against his biceps—like the words cost him something to say.
"However," he continued, his eyes locking onto mine with sudden fierce focus, "when we're alone, when it's just us—that's different. I want to know you, Chloe. "
"Julian—"
His hand slid from my jaw to the back of my neck, fingers tangling gently in my hair. "Just dinner, Chloe. That's all I'm asking."
The way he said it—half plea, half command—sent heat curling through my stomach. This wasn't the cold transaction I'd expected. This was something far more dangerous.
"Okay," I whispered. "Tonight."
---
Julian's black Rolls-Royce waited in the underground garage. He opened the door for me, his hand on the small of my back. The touch sent heat racing up my spine.
He settled beside me, close enough that his thigh pressed against mine. The driver pulled out smoothly.
Tonight. Tonight was our wedding night. Would he expect...?
I'd have to undress. Let him see everything.
After gaining all that weight, I'd avoided men entirely. No one had seen my body except that stranger a year ago, when I was two hundred pounds of shame.
What if Julian was disappointed?
I glanced at him. Even in the dim light, he was devastating. Sharp jaw, strong hands, the way his suit pulled across his shoulders.
What would those hands feel like on my skin?
His hand moved to my knee, steadying me as the car turned. "You okay? You seem tense."
"I'm fine." But I wasn't. His palm was warm through my dress, and all I could think about was tonight.
"Chloe." His voice dropped. "If you're worried about tonight—"
My phone buzzed.
Mia's name flashed across the screen.
Julian saw it. His hand tightened on my knee. "You don't have to answer."
But spite made me swipe to accept, putting it on speaker.
"Chloe! Congratulations!" Mia's voice filled the car. "How's married life? Taking care of an old, ugly cripple must be so rewarding!"
I felt Julian go still beside me.
I looked at him—sharp suit, amber eyes dark and amused, his hand warm on my knee.
Old and ugly. Right.
"Actually, Mia, I'm doing great."
"What?"
"Yeah. Really great. My husband's very attentive."
"You married a bankrupt cripple—"
"Did I? Are you sure about that?"
Silence. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"Maybe you should've checked your facts before you threw him away." My voice was steady. "Maybe you should've wondered why someone like him would let rumors spread."
"He's nobody! He's worthless!"
Julian leaned closer, breath warm against my ear. "Tell her."
"You're so fucking stupid, Mia. You threw away the most eligible bachelor in Los Angeles because you believed gossip. And now he's mine."
"You're lying—"
"Am I? Look up Astor Capital. See who really runs it." I smiled. "But do it fast, before you embarrass yourself."
"Since when do you talk back?" Her voice climbed higher, panicked.
"I'm done taking your shit. Done being your punching bag." Julian's hand slid higher on my thigh. "So unless you have something important to say, lose my number."
"You ungrateful little bitch—"
"Fuck you, Mia. Fuck your fake concern. And fuck your regrets, because I know you're going to have them."
I hung up.
Julian's hand was still on my thigh, warm and steady.
"Feel better?" Amusement rich in his voice.
"Yeah." I laughed shakily.
"Good." He didn't remove his hand. "Though you might've just blown our cover."
"She won't believe it. Not yet." I met his eyes. "She'll think I'm lying."
"And when she finds out you're not?"
"Then she'll lose her mind." The thought made me smile. "And I can't wait."
Julian's thumb resumed that slow circle on my thigh.
"You're full of surprises, Mrs. Astor."
The heat in his eyes made my earlier anxiety rush back.
Tonight. Our wedding night.