Page 42

One Month Later

Wedding Celebration

WHITEFISH - MONTANA

“Your brother has just arrived.”

“He came!”

“Of course I came. Did you think I was going to miss you modeling the dress I chose?”

I feel my eyes fill with tears as I gaze at the only member of my family who is present. No one is talking to me, not that that’s unusual, but not even on my wedding day could they let go of their grudges.

I always call my mom, but she keeps ignoring me.

I look at the beautiful man who is also my younger brother, and I do what just a year ago would have been impossible: I go to him and hug him. “Thank you for coming.”

He holds me close and then gives me a kiss on the forehead. “No crying, madam. You are wonderful.”

"Am I a traitor, Theo?"

“No, you are a woman in love with her man.”

"Even if that man hates our father?"

“I didn't want to talk about this on your wedding day, but I can see you still blame yourself,” he says as he runs his fingers down my face. "What will it take for you to understand that he doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself? Look at our mother's situation.”

"Have you been talking to her?"

“No. I think she needs some time, Elina. Now, I want you to focus on your happiness. Don't think too much.”

“I have no doubts regarding how I feel about Odin, nor that our father deserves to go to jail for what he did, but I fear that Odin's grudge for Leandros will eventually spill over to include me.”

“Elina, it won't happen. Odin is in love with you—anyone can see that.” He starts to arrange the garland on my head. “As for Leandros, five minutes of genetic contribution doesn't make someone a father.”

Theo and I have been talking a lot about the past. Last month, he's come to New York twice to meet me.

I don't think either of us had the real picture of what the other had lived through at our father's hands, and now that I also know what Theo suffered, I realize how amazing it is that we both managed to stay sane growing up in that family.

Therapy has helped me open up and take risks, as well as have the courage to express what I want out loud. Sometimes I still go back to my old habit of faking emotions, but it never works with Odin. He has always had the power to look behind the curtain.

Of course, I'm far from the most confident person in the world, but I'm already not ashamed of what I was and still am.

Theo still has no idea that I have dyslexia or that I could barely read, but he was happy when I told him I’ve gone back to school.

Odin hired three teachers from different areas. Sometimes I love the classes; sometimes it's downright frustrating. My fear of failure and of the possibility that someone will make fun of me is still huge. The first few days, I felt like crying, but now I'm more optimistic.

“Thank you for standing by my side today, Theo. You have no idea how important this is to me.”

Although in Orthodox wedding ceremonies it’s not customary for the bride to enter arm-in-arm with her father but with the celebrant, it’s good to know that at least one person who shares my blood will be present.

Zoe and Christos will be our witnesses, since our church requires that at least one of the godparents must be baptized in our faith. Informally, however, Theo and Derek, my brother's husband, will also be our godparents. If there are two couples that inspire true love, those are the ones we choose.

Odin told me that although he was baptized in our church too, he is an atheist. Nevertheless, he would grant my wish to celebrate the wedding in front of a priest. Instead of getting married in a church, however, I preferred a ceremony on the farm that I love so much.

It was Christos who managed to get around some of the rules, bringing in a priest who was a close friend of his father's. He was the same one who officiated at his marriage to Zoe.

“I love you, Elina. I'm here for you and I always will be. I long ago gave up trying to please our family. Nobody thought of you when you were left behind in that sick man's hands. I thank God that Odin showed up. I can never be grateful enough.”

I know Theo is right. My family barely remembers that I exist.

I feel calmer just knowing that my mother is away from Leandros, because I'm sure she'll be safe.

“Now, I want a smile on that beautiful face. Today is your day. You’re marrying the man you love, and I hope that soon you will give me lots of nephews.”

Theo and Derek have a little daughter, Belinda, who is my brother-in-law's biological daughter.

I smile and think about what he’s said. Other than that day in the car when he kept silent, Odin and I have never really talked about it, but I'd like to have kids.

“Theo, I have to say you have very good taste. Elina’s dress is gorgeous,” Zoe says, walking into the room. She left discreetly as soon as my brother arrived, and I think it was to give us privacy.

I look again in the mirror and check out the spaghetti strap dress with the veil pinned to the straps instead of the head. I'm only wearing a garland of pearl drops, as anything else would get in the way of the coronation ritual .

It’s the high point of Orthodox marriages. The bride and groom each receive their golden crown, which symbolizes honor in marriage. I've been to many weddings, and I have the entire ceremony engraved in my memory.

The groomsmen cross the crowns on the heads of both bride and groom, holding a candle as well as the ribbon that joins the crowns in a procession around the altar. Afterwards, the bride and groom drink wine from the same cup and walk three times counterclockwise around the analói , which is the table where the evangel and the cross are.

The priest will guide us, carrying incense, which serves to purify the sacred objects on the table and everyone present.

“I would’ve liked to have designed it myself, but I think my brother-in-law would have had a heart attack if he had to wait three months for the dress to be finished,” Theo replies to Zoe.

It’s true. Odin was in a hurry to get married, and I joked that women are usually the ones who are afraid that their bridegrooms will change their minds.

Cassandra, the secretary who assists me, said that he ordered a press release about our future union around three weeks ago, but despite that, the ceremony will be closed except for a few guests.

“Guys, it's time,” Zoe says again. “Christos told me that Odin is about to pace a trench into the ground.”

I draw in a breath to build up some courage.

“I'm ready.”

“I love you, Odin.” I'm a little nervous as he looks at me with those dark eyes so deep that they always take my breath away.

“Keep going.”

“Undressing?”

“That too, but keep talking about how much you love me.”He's sitting on the bed in our farmhouse suite as I unbutton the side of the wedding dress. His body is so big and muscular that it seems to take up the entire room, but I know that much larger than his physique is his personality, which dominates any environment he is in.

And this delicious man is all mine.

My fingers have missed what they were doing several times.

I feel my heart racing.

It happened.

I'm his wife now.

“Do you wanna help me?” I ask, desperate for him to touch me.

“I want to, but I won't. Get naked for me. Let me see how much you want to give yourself to me, my Elina.”

“You still don't know? After all these months together, don't you know how you make me burn with just one look? Don’t you know how every piece of me wants your hands, mouth, and tongue?”

The hunger with which he watches me makes me want to rip the fabric covering me.

When the last button is finally released, the dress falls loosely over my hips.

“Leave your panties on,” he says, finally getting up from the bed.

I'm now dressed in just the tiny piece of lace, garter belt and pumps.

By now, I would have thought I’d be used to the effect Odin has on both my body and my mind, but no. Every time we make love, it's like the first time. There’s the same excitement and urgency and desire to feel him filling me, making me complete.

He cups my chin, lifting my face. “My wife.”

“Yours. I love to hear it. Say it every time you take my body.”

He lowers his head and brushes my lips with his, still not touching me in any other way. I feel his tongue lick my lips like he needs to taste me. I want to be quiet and wait, but I can't, and when he repeats the action, I open my mouth, craving more.

“Hmmmm . . .” I groan in delight.

He has already taken off his jacket and tie. I'm looking forward to kissing his muscular chest. My fingers grasp for the buttons of his shirt, and he lets me undress him.

Odin loves to observe, and at first I was a little inhibited, but the desire to reveal his body always won over shame .

When his shirt is open, I press my lips to his hairless chest, leaving a wet trail with my tongue. “I love the taste of your skin.”

With every touch of my mouth, he shudders but continues to allow me to explore his body.

I've just taken off his shirt and am running my hands over his powerful shoulders. “I love how strong and tough you are.”

I trail my fingers down his rigid abdomen and feel him catching his breath as they reach his pants and unbutton and then unzip them.

I kneel down and, without taking my eyes from his, pull his trousers down.

His hard sex emerges, large and swollen through the fabric of the boxers. Instead of touching him where I know he wants me to, I kiss his thighs, letting my nose smell his arousal.

I run my tongue between his legs, licking, moving up until I reach his hardness. I bite him lightly through the fabric, and he groans loudly but still allows me to remain in control.

One thing that drives me crazy is that Odin doesn't impose any limits on our pleasure. Our sex is always urgent, but never rushed. Desperate hunger is never completely satisfied, because no matter how many times our bodies take possession of each other, we always want more.

“I want your mouth on me.”

“Ask for it,” I say as I pull down his boxers.

His sex points up proudly, and I can see the wetness oozing out of him. I run my tongue along it and taste the salty liquid.

He closes his eyes. “Open your mouth. Suck me.”

A horny shiver runs through my body as he grabs a handful of my hair.

This is the moment I’ve been longing for.

His command, but also his loss of control.

Odin tests himself during sex, resisting my provocations, and I do the same.

It's a kind of game between the two of us, a competition in which the prize is pleasure. When he gets to ask like he just did, I know that from now on the crazy desire we both feel will be in full force .

“Like this?” I ask, opening my mouth and letting him slide himself down the back of my throat.

“That's right. Open that hot mouth and let me in,” he says, thrusting his hips.

I relax, and each time he moves deeper into me, I make my tongue run towards his base.

His growls and the grip on my hair make me desperate, so I play with my breasts, moaning around his sex.

It seems to break his control, because he then lifts me up and kisses me deeply.

“Bed?”

“Wherever you want,” I beg.

He smiles and places me against a wall. “Keep your arms back. Don't touch yourself.”

My sensitive breasts brush against the cool surface, sending a jolt through my body.

I'm shaking with desire.

Our love-making is never the same. He always surprises me, driving me crazy with lust. I never know what to expect.

I hear the rustle of fabric, and I know he's just shucking his pants the rest of the way off. When I realize he's ducked behind me, I lift my butt, anxiously.

He drops my panties and bites me, opening me with both hands.

I moan in anticipation, and when I feel his tongue run along my wet sex, I push into his face without any shame. “Odin...”

He licks and tastes me with his mouth and fingers, and before long I'm whimpering and pleading.

"Do you like to be teased, wife?"

“I love it, but now I need you inside me.”

He lifts up and holds my arms behind his back with one hand, lowering his body until he fits himself inside the entrance to my soaked sex.

I wiggle restlessly and get a slap on the butt. “More,” I ask, one step away from coming.

“Delicious.” He brushes my hair away with his other hand and bites the back of my neck. When his lips travel over my earlobe, I let out a long moan.

Odin knows where my weak spots are and always drives me mad with desire.

“You love it, don't you?” he asks, testing my entrance, and I move my hips.

“Please, love.”

“Your love,” he says and starts to enter me slowly, but I don't want to wait, and I push myself against him, causing his erection to take me even farther.

“My man. My one and only.”

“The only one!” he roars as he takes me completely.

I can't move at first. He's too big, and I'm at his mercy. His hips rotate in circles, making me feel him very deeply, and when he sees that I'm ready, he moves almost completely out of me and thrusts himself hard inside me again.

We both scream, and the grip on my arms tightens. He's not hurting me, just restraining me, and the feeling of being dominated is delicious.

I put my face to the wall, the stimuli throughout my body too strong.

“Spread your thighs wider,” he commands, and I obey.

His other hand grips my hair, bringing my face up so he can kiss me.

I can't move, only feel and moan with desire.

I suck on his tongue, and he moves even harder inside me.

“Harder. I wanna come.”

His hand lets go of my hair and goes to my most sensitive spot, and just like that, with my body totally surrendered to lust, I come for the first time as his wife.

When he realizes that I have collapsed in his arms, he pulls himself out of me, and picking me up in his arms, he takes me to the bed.

Even though I'm still dizzy from the orgasm, I spread my legs to receive him because I know we're nowhere near finished. He enters me again, shocking the nerve endings of my sensitive sex, and gives me a wet kiss, filled with an intimacy I would only allow myself with my man.

“I love you, Elina,” he says as he moves. “I never thought I would fall in love, but I'm crazy about you, my woman.”

His words pull me back from the dream world and I open my eyes. “I could never love another. You were made for me, just as I was born to be yours.”

His lust seems to border on desperation at my words, and he quickens his movements, deepening his possession. “My wife.” He repeats it each time he thrusts, as if to confirm it to the world.

I move my hips, teasing him, and I know the exact moment he's going to come. “Mine.”

“Forever, Elina,” he swears, just before he fills me.