Wedding Belle: Silver Springs, #3

By Violet Rae

Adam
I promised the woman who practically raised me that I'd take care of her property following her death. More importantly, I swore to protect her granddaughter from the man trying to take control of the estate. Marrying Belle is a small price to pay to give Cora peace of mind in her final days. After all, it'll be a marriage on paper only, just until Belle turns twenty-one and inherits her grandmother's estate. Then we'll go our separate ways. Simple.

Until our wedding day, when I see Belle for the first time in years. Gone is the skinny girl with frizzy hair and retainers. In her place is a blue-eyed, blonde temptress. Suddenly, things don't feel quite so…simple.
This marriage is supposed to be platonic. A means to an end. But one look at Belle and I know keeping my hands off my new bride will be the toughest challenge of my life.

Belle has no idea how beautiful and effortlessly sexy she is. Controlling my ever-growing desire for her proves harder with each passing day. I want her—not just on paper, or in name only. I want her as my wife…in every sense of the word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Rae
• Release date: Feb 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224412341

Book preview

Chapter 1

Adam

I drew in a ragged breath, wondering for the hundredth time what the fuck I was doing. I mean, I knew what I was doing. I just had to keep reminding myself why I was doing it.

Is the bride on her way? the minister asked politely, looking uncomfortably hot in his suit.

The fire burning merrily in the grate didn’t help, pouring heat into the already stifling room, but Cora was cold, so the fire was for her benefit—as was this charade of a wedding.

She’ll be here any minute, Cora replied with a serene smile.

I took another deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Agreeing to marry Belle had seemed like the right thing to do a few days ago, but now it seemed fucking insane. I wasn’t in love with my soon-to-be wife. Hell, I’d never been in love or even thought about getting married, but there was no way I could say no to Cora when she came to me for help. She was the closest thing I had to a mother since I’d lost my parents in a car accident in my early teens.

So here I stood, in the large drawing room of the main ranch house, about to sign away the next ten months of my life to give Cora the peace of mind she so desperately craved.

I slid a finger into the collar of my shirt, trying to loosen the unforgiving cotton. I rarely wore a suit. This one was almost strangling me. As ranch co-owner, my working day called for jeans and t-shirts, which were a damn sight more comfortable than this getup.

Don’t be nervous, Cora murmured from the chair beside me.

She was looking frailer than ever. The cancer was in her bones now, hollowing her out, sucking the life from her. She was dying. Which was the only reason I was here, honoring her final wish.

Easy for you to say, I muttered. I’m marrying a girl I haven’t seen for years.

She’s not a girl anymore, Adam. My granddaughter has grown up a lot since you last saw her. And believe me, I know the sacrifice you’re making, and I can’t thank you enough, Cora said, her sharp blue eyes focused on me. I can’t tell you what it means to me to know that Belle and the ranch will be safe once I’m gone.

Shit. Losing Cora wasn’t something I wanted to think about today. Not any day. Too fucking painful.

She’s late, I said gruffly, changing the subject.

Bride’s prerogative, Cora replied, her mouth twitching with a smile.

When she was sixteen, Cora’s granddaughter, Belle, moved away with her mother, Jolie, and her stepfather, Robert. That was four years ago. Two weeks ago, Jolie committed suicide. God alone only knew what Belle was going through, yet here we were, about to get hitched. This whole situation was beyond bizarre, but it was what Cora wanted.

You sure she’s going to go through with it? I asked under my breath.

Yes. She knows the situation. She understands why all of this is necessary. She trusts Robert even less than I do—which is not at all, Cora said, referring to Belle’s stepfather. He’s already instructed his lawyers to contest my will. Jolie left everything to him, including her share in this house and its land. I won’t let that happen. This marriage will ensure it stays with you and Belle if I die before she turns twenty-one, she said with a weary sigh.

The last few weeks had taken a lot out of Cora. She’d traveled the three hours to Medicine Bow for Jolie’s funeral and to bring Belle home. They’d arrived late last night, so I hadn’t seen Belle yet.

You never know—Cora turned her head to smile at me—you may like being married.

I opened my mouth to put her straight when the door opened, and my gaze landed on a vision in white.

Holy fuck.

Belle? Her name was out of my mouth before I realized it.

This wasn’t the Belle I remembered. She’d left here a skinny teenager with glasses and braces. The goddess before me bore little resemblance to that girl. She was all woman. Long, blonde hair secured in some fancy braid. Gorgeous blue eyes set in an elfin face and, shit, she’d filled out in the most delectable way. She wasn’t wearing a traditional wedding dress, but the white pencil skirt and gauzy blouse were a nod to tradition and showcased her curves to perfection.

Close your mouth, Adam, Cora murmured, her blue eyes dancing with delight.

I snapped my mouth closed. My doubts about this wedding had tripled upon seeing Belle.

Hey, Grams, she said, moving into the room and bending to hug Cora.

Her soft voice went straight to my cock, which was lengthening uncomfortably in my suit pants.

Good morning, sweet girl, Cora replied, returning Belle’s hug with as much enthusiasm as her frail body would allow.

Belle straightened up and turned to look at me. Hi, Adam.

Christ, she was even more beautiful up close. I was a man of few words, but Belle’s blue eyes, flawless skin, and plump lips had me speechless. My heart was beating so fast I was sure it was visible through my suit jacket.

Cat got your tongue? Cora chirped, jolting me out of my stupor.

Good to see you again, Belle, I said gruffly as she moved to stand by my side.

You, too, Adam. Not quite how I pictured it, though, she said with a wink that caused my cock to pulse and my balls to tighten.

Jesus Christ, man, it was a wink, not a wank.

Her perfume hit my nostrils, a blend of citrus and vanilla. Jesus, she even smelled edible. My mouth watered with the need to taste her, to bury my face in her neck, her breasts, and between her legs so I could devour her sweetness.

This wasn’t a typical reaction for me. I wasn’t a player. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been with a woman. Too long if the thoughts I was having about Belle were any indication—thoughts I shouldn’t be having about Cora’s granddaughter. Yet every part of my being, including the nine inches between my legs, told me that Belle Stone was mine.

The minister cleared his throat. We gather here today to celebrate the wedding of Isabelle Stone and Adam Sterling…

Sweat beaded on my brow. This was the point of no return.

Chapter 2

Belle

I stole a glance at Adam. His face was unreadable, but somehow, I knew he was just as nervous as me.

No—nervous didn’t cover it. I was scared shitless. Still trying to wrap my head around this whole situation and why we were here today—because my stepfather was an abusive asshole who wanted nothing more than to get his greedy hands on what he thought he