Page 200 of Beautifully Ruined

“I’m not finished with my honors yet,” she says.

“He’s honest.” Gino looks like he doesn’t know whether to spit on the ground or laugh. “But we’ll work around it. Okay? Good. A deal.”

And he then turns. “I’ve booked Belle de Grasse for the dinner and the dancing.”

I look at my bride. “Are you okay with that?”

“Yes.” She pauses. “I’ve always wanted to eat at Belle de Grasse.”

I holdViolet in my arms as we slow dance. “I want to say you look gorgeous, but you always look gorgeous. And now you’re officially mine.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” I growl against her ear, kissing her. “Did I mention we’re having a baby?”

“Once or twice. Have you told anyone?”

“Not yet. You?”

“Our secret. For a bit.”

“Good.” That’s my girl. That’s my bride.

I could dance with her forever, hold her forever. And I plan to do all that, but most importantly, I plan to love her forever.

She looks up at me like I’m all that matters, too.

I love this woman so much. “I saw Jack eye off Gianna. I’ll have a word with him to behave.”

She nuzzles me. “He’s changed a lot.”

“It’s a little late to switch back to him.”

“I’d never. Besides, I’ve got The Ghost.”

“Who has a gift for you.”

She looks at me, eyes sparking. “I can’t wait.”

We keep dancing, and I breathe in her flowery scent.

I can’t believe how things worked out. I can’t believe I want to have regular sex with her just as much as all the games. And…I’ve got a lifetime to fit it all into.

I look around the room and groan. “Man, Enzo’s hitting on one of your friends. I warned him to keep it in his pants tonight. This is not the night to cause trouble.”

But Violet giggles and squeezes my ass. “I know exactly what he’s like, which is why I arranged with one of Macy’s friends to distract him.”

I narrow my eyes as I look at her. “Distract him how?”

“Oh, you know…” She shrugs. “Hit on him and then pretend to be his cousin… Gino’s in on it, too.”

“You didn’t…”

And she laughs. “Oh, yes, I did.”

Enzo suddenly lets out a strangled cry as he glares at me and yells out, “You fucking told her, didn’t you?”

I pretend not to hear him and lean into her ear. “You know I’m going to have to do some major groveling to earn his forgiveness now, right?”

I make myself sound way more annoyed than I am.

I can’t really be annoyed because I’m turned on by the fact my wife’s got the balls and talent to pull off a stunt like this on my best friend.

Fuck, she really is the hottest woman I’ve ever met.

“Oh, he had it coming. Remember when he hit on Lia?” She rises on her toes and kisses me. “Besides, I’ll make it up to you on our honeymoon. Where are you taking me again?”

“Definitely not Cancun,” I mutter, kissing her.

And she kisses me back.