Free Clearwater Romance by Marissa Dobson Page B

I’d never have asked. You’ve never doubted me before don’t start now.” He shoved the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth, and looked up at her. “If you’re not going to finish eating, we have another appointment.”
    “Appointment?” They had another hour before they had to be at the justice of the peace in the park behind the courthouse. “Where are we going?”
    “I told you an appointment.” He took hold of her hand, gently pulling her to her feet. “Come on.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, and tucked her close to his side on their way out of the café.
    Unless she imagined it because she longed for it, there was more to his touch than just the friendship he claimed. Oh how she wanted there to be more. He led her down the street towards the shops. “Where…?” Her voice failed, when he stopped in front of a small dress shop.
    “Just because it won’t be the wedding of your dreams doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a pretty dress to get married in.” His hand slid down to rest on her hip. “Come on. You deserve it.”
    “I can’t…”
    “Don’t argue. You can’t be married in jeans. Now come on, we don’t have a lot of time.” He opened the door and ushered her inside.
    An older woman, her brown hair greying at the temples, stepped forward. “Mr. White, you’re right on time. I’m Lisa, your personal shopper.”
    Cameron offered his hand to Lisa. “Lisa, thank you. This is Tessa, we’re getting married in an hour. Can you help her find the perfect dress?”
    Lisa looked Tessa over, taking her in as if she was a stock of meat before nodding. “It doesn’t leave us much time, but we’ll find something suitable. Come along dear.”
    “Go ahead. My uniform is at the cleaners down the street. I’m going to go retrieve it and change. I’ll be back shortly.” He kissed her cheek, before turning on his heels and leaving her alone.
    She’d never been a girly girl, always one for jeans, and t-shirts or if the weather called for it sweaters. She could count on one hand how many times she wore a dress. Cameron knew this and still he insisted, not as some weird sense of torture but because it was the wedding rituals. He wanted her to have the whole experience even if they were rushed.
    * * *
    Tessa stood next to the large oak tree, her creamy white dress flowed around her body. Even though she hated dresses, she felt like a princess. One who—in a way—was getting her prince. All her life she had wanted to be in this very place with him. She only wished they were getting married because they loved each other. Still even if for a short while, she would be Mrs. Cameron White, the wife of Gunnery Sergeant White.
    He was not only the best Marine she knew—willing to lay his life down for his country without a second thought—but he was also the greatest man to ever touch her life. Look at him—marrying her, no questions asked—to provide her with security. He was her hero.
    “With the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
    Her heart leaped, as he leaned towards her. His breath feathered a caress across her mouth and then he kissed her. Adrenaline flooded through her veins, as she opened her lips allowing him entry to her mouth. His tongue slipped between her lips, the kiss devouring her until he suddenly jerked away, as if his control snapped back into place like a rubber band stretched to its limit.
    He gave her one final brush to her lips before pulling back. The passion evaporated or maybe she’d only imagined it.  They were married, but he seemed even more unattainable than ever.

Chapter Five
     
    Tessa’s first day of married life, seemed to speed past in a blink. She’d convinced Cameron she needed to gather things from her apartment before they left for Clearwater. Unsurprisingly, he wouldn’t agree without the condition he carried her up the steps to her apartment citing the fact that