Marry Me Before I Die

Bracken took Poppy’s hand. He absently stoked her palm with his thumb. Turning his eyes from the study of their hands, he turned his focus to Tasha. His green eyes narrowed in concentration, tension lines tightened his lips.

Tasha saw a ghostly pale Poppy reflected in the large dark pupils. She pushed upright, wincing at the sharp pain across her stomach. Bracken helped ease her into a sitting position, his strong arm secured at her waist.

“Bracken, what's your first name?”

“Andrew.”

“Andrew. Earlier you planned to marry within the hour. This is the only way to protect Poppy and get you your money.”

“I have made clear I need your inheritance. You do me great service by marrying me,” he said stiffly. “I will protect you, Poppy. I promise I shall not shut you away to languish in an asylum.”

“Well that’s good then.” She licked her lips. “What do you need the money for anyway?” she wondered aloud.

Bracken tightened his hold on her. He glanced down at her cleavage then back to her face. Tasha licked her lips as his eyes dilated with desire. He raised his other hand to cradle her face. Their foreheads touched.

“I must tell you though. I have been ordered, compelled by another to marry you.”

“I don’t care.” Tasha didn’t care. Poppy would be dead when she left. Why was she fighting this attraction? Bracken needed the money and she needed to kiss him.

He parted his lips, waiting for her acquiescence. She wanted to kiss him. Started to kiss him, opened her mouth to take him. Footsteps hurried down the hall.

Tasha stopped. Bracken did not. He kissed her. Took her mouth. His tongue invaded, filling her with the heady taste of wine and desire. She angled her head to deepen the kiss. He smelled of sweat and leather. His palm slipped down to caress her throat. She clutched his shoulders.

She fell back on the pillows pulling Bracken on top of her. Her ears echoed with the sound of her heartbeat, birds twittering outside, their urgent breaths and a sharp rap on the door. “Damn,” he muttered into her mouth.

“Bracken,” hollered Jacob.

“Damn,” he said more vehemently.

“Great,” she answered sarcastically. Tasha tilted her head back and silently apologized to Poppy. She pushed at Bracken’s shoulders

“You are pissing me off!” Elvira squawked. Hands on her hips, Tasha’s fairy godmother stood next to the bed and Bracken. She stomped her foot. “I can’t keep your other body alive indefinitely. Would you get married already?”