Celia needed recovery time between trials. Kyle had very inventive ways of keeping her occupied. He was in turn sweet, sexy, funny, raunchy, and demanding. Very demanding.

After the last vibrator received the thumbs-down, Kyle got rid of her blindfold. He untied the rope. He plastered his body to hers so not an inch of space remained between them.

He made love to her slowly. So slowly that by the time they reached the end of that long climb to pleasure, they were soaked in sweat.

After she returned to sanity from that orgasmic high, she said, “Throw the vibrators away. I don’t need them. I don’t want them, when I have you.”

Kyle stared into her eyes. “You have me, kitten. For as long as you want.” The kiss he bestowed on her lips nearly brought tears to her eyes.

She was in so deep with him. Because she wanted him forever.

Chapter Eighteen

Kyle wasn’t the most tech-savvy guy, but he’d managed to track down the right department at the Nevada Marriage Bureau to get his questions answered, since no one ever answered the phone at the Trade Winds Wedding Chapel.

Being on hold sucked.

This was the third time he’d been transferred, and a bad feeling started to take root.

A voice came on the line. “Sorry for the wait. Please spell your last name for me again?”

“G-i-l-c-h-r-i-s-t. First name, Kyle.”

“What was the bride’s last name?”

“Lawson. L-a-w-s-o-n. First name, Celia.”

Clickety-clack sounded through the receiver. He paced, but the dread weighting him down made the movement seem sluggish.

“You said the ceremony took place at the Winds of Change Chapel at the Trade Winds Casino?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A sigh echoed. “No wonder. I haven’t received any paperwork from that venue for the last two months.”

Kyle froze. “Excuse me?”

“No marriage certificates have been requested or filed with the State of Nevada since November.”

“But we filled out the paperwork! We signed it, the witnesses signed it, the officiant signed it. Everything was done before we exchanged vows and I paid the bill.”

“Do you have a receipt?”

“For the rings. I didn’t figure I needed a receipt for the damn marriage!” He inhaled. “Sorry. This is a nightmare.”

“Yes, sir, I’m sure it is. But at this point there’s nothing else I can do for you, except direct you to the state’s wedding licensing and permit division. They can check to see if the Winds of Change Chapel is currently licensed or if their license somehow lapsed or expired altogether.”

Kyle sat down hard on the office chair. “Lapsed? How is that even possible?”

“Wedding chapels have a yearly licensing fee. If it isn’t paid, then they’re operating without a valid license and any ceremonies performed on the premises aren’t legally recognized by the state. Once the fees are brought current, then that paperwork is allowed to be filed. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless the state license has lapsed for more than sixty days. In that case, most owners opt to apply for a new license rather than pay the hefty penalties and reinstatement fees. But don’t worry. I’ve never seen that happen in the five years I’ve worked here.”

Kyle’s thoughts flashed back to the Under New Ownership signs that’d been all over the casino and the wedding chapel. His sense of dread exploded into full-blown panic.

What if he and Celia weren’t really married?

“Sir? Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“I don’t suppose you’ve got the number handy for the state licensing commission?”

“I’ll just go ahead and transfer you to that department.”

“Thanks.” He started to feel light-headed as he waited for the next representative to come on the line. He forced slow and steady breaths. So by the time his call was answered, he felt a little calmer.

Until he heard the news he’d feared. The Winds of Change Chapel had no valid permits. Not only that, but two days after they married, the state gaming commission had stepped in and closed down the entire Trade Winds facility, locking away all paperwork as evidence.

When Kyle pressed the phone rep to offer advice, his was simple: No marriage certificate meant no legally recognized marriage.

At that point Kyle had to put his head between his knees.

Celia wasn’t his wife. He had no claim to her.

He swallowed convulsively until the dizziness subsided.

He loved her. If he was completely f**king honest with himself, he wouldn’t have married her at all if he hadn’t been in love with her.

Why couldn’t he admit that to himself?

Why couldn’t he admit that to her? That he’d hoped at the end of the six months she’d be as crazy in love with him as he was with her?

Fuck.

He needed more time to make sure that happened. Each day, hell, each hour he spent with her in the last month made him fall even more in love with her. And he suspected she’d grown more attached to him the more time they’d spent together.

So if she knew they weren’t really legally married? Celia would honor their verbal contract and stay to help him through calving. But on an intimate level? She’d retreat. She’d be embarrassed by the oversight, especially after the huge shower the community had thrown for them. Especially after the issues her brothers had raised.

No way could he run the ranch without her. He didn’t want to run it without her. It was as much hers as his. He closed his eyes, reminded of the words Breck had tossed off the day after their marriage. That Kyle had nothing to offer Celia. His inheritance had changed that in so many ways and he finally felt like a man worthy of her. Because he knew what she wanted and he could give it to her. Not life on the road as a barrel racer, but a home of her own. A ranch. A life with him—a man who loved her body and soul and understood her completely.