Read The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride for Free Online Page B

wouldn’t get cold feet and decide to make a run for it.
    Biting back a giggle that threatened to turn hysterical at the image of herself running through the streets of San Diego in her bridal gown, she was startled out of it by Alex squeezing her hand.
    “Are you okay?” His eyes glinted with concern.
    Warmth flickered through her and she took a deep breath. “I’m fine.” She smiled, relieved that it was the truth . When he looked at her like that, she could believe her own words. “I’m just a little nervous,” she confessed.
    Everything will go smoothly,” he reassured her. “My assistant and her husband will be our witnesses.”
    “Oh.” Laura hadn’t even thought about the necessity of witnesses. It would have been nice to have a couple of her close friends there, but it was Wednesday, which might have been awkward for her girlfriends to get time off work. Besides, she hadn't even had time to tell them she was getting married.
    “ Helen has worked for me for the last ten years,” he continued. “Her husband’s recently retired but she says if she stayed at home all day she’d end up a golf widow.”
    Appreciating the fact that he was sharing another facet of his life with her, however small, she smiled. “It will be nice to meet her,” she offered, wondering if Helen knew her boss and his bride were practically strangers to each other.
    “I’m sure you two will get on fine.” He stroked his thumb over her knuckles, a trail of  anticipation fluttering in her belly as she thought of what would happen at the wedding ceremony. Would Alex kiss her again like he did yesterday? What would happen when they arrived in Wyoming?
    Alex didn’t let go of her hand for the entire journey to the courthouse. When they arrived, he helped her out of the silver car. Passers-by barely glanced at them as she and her groom stepped towards the entrance.
    Once inside, Alex whisked her into a room marked Reserved Trask . Plush red and gold tones greeted her eyes. A male officiant sat behind a desk, while a woman in her late fifties and a dapper man with gray hair and wearing a fawn suit sat in the small front row.
    The woman jumped up, her companion likewise. “Alex, you look very elegant. And this must be Laura?” She held out her hand. “I’m Helen, Alex’s assistant.”
    Laura smiled back at the other woman. “Hello.” Dressed in a smart jade suit, Helen looked grandmotherly and efficient at the same time.
    “ And this is my husband Walt.”
    “ Hello,” Laura murmured again, shaking the older man’s hand. Walt smiled, his eyes twinkling.
    “ Shall we begin, Mr. Trask?” the officiant inquired.
    Laura noticed a vase of beautiful deep pink roses on the desk and realized she hadn’t even thought of a wedding bouquet. It would have been nice, she thought wistfully, to have a posy of her own.
    “This is for you, dear.” Helen rummaged next to her chair and unsnapped a small cooler box. She held out a gorgeous bridal bouquet of soft pink and cream roses. “Alex wasn’t sure if you’d have time to organize one for yourself.”
    Laura lifted her eyes from the flowers and looked at Alex. To her surprise, a small flush of red stained his cheekbones.
    “Thank you.” She buried her nose in the fragrant blooms, appreciating the heady scent of myrrh.
    “ Mr. Trask?” The officiant tried to get their attention.
    “ Of course.” Alex held out his arm to Laura. “Ready?”
    She gazed at him, her heart suddenly hammering. Was she ready to marry Alex? Laura drew in a deep breath. She couldn’t back out now.
    Nodding, she took his arm and they walked a few steps in front of the desk. The officiant stepped around the desk until he stood in front of them.
    The short ceremony began. It was mostly a blur to Laura, until they came to the if anyone objects part. She fleetingly wondered if one of the slender women Alex had occasionally been photographed with would suddenly burst into the room, but the moment passed