Page 146 of Eternal

Epilogue

Teal

One Month Later

“There’s no escaping metonight, Mrs. Pierce.” Declan shuts the door to our suite behind him, watching me slowly slip backward into our room. “You try, and I might be tempted to pull out the chains.”

Considering the twisted obsession my husband has with inflicting pain, I have no doubt he would.

“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep, Mr. Pierce.” I take a step back, reaching for the strap of my dress and letting it fall off my shoulder.

As promised, Declan took me to the church in Paris so we could make formal vows to each other. No witnesses but the priest and the dust on the pews.

I didn’t need a big wedding. I didn’t need a wedding at all.

Marriage wasn’t something I thought about. But after Declan stormed in and claimed me without my permission, I needed to hear him say it. And when we stood in that church and vowed our lives to each other, it felt like something we’d already done a hundred other ways while still being the first real promise we were making as husband and wife.

It felt like our true selves, standing in front of each other, admitting who we are, and being completely transparent about it.

No more deals.

No more arrangement.

Just us.

Reaching behind me, I slowly drag the zipper down on my white dress. Declan said I looked like an angel when I put it on, and I couldn’t help wishing my soul was still that innocent.

“What are you doing, wife?” His eyes narrow as he props a forearm on the doorframe to watch me.

Slowly unzipping my dress, I back up to the glass doors that lead to the balcony.

“Shouldn’t we consummate our marriage?” I release the zipper, and my dress puddles at my feet.

I’ve never been one for lingerie. I’d rather wear paint-covered overalls than a dress and heels. But when Declan’s eyes drop to the lacy white number Violet helped me pick out before she and Kole disappeared to LA for the summer, I think maybe I could get used to the tight, wired fabric if it will get this kind of reaction from my husband.

“Fuck, Teal.” He lifts off the doorframe, taking a step toward me.

“Nope.” I hold a hand up to stop him, shaking my head.

His eyes darken. “If you’re going to try to tease me, then those chains are sounding even more appealing right now, wife.”

“I’m sure they are.” I bite my lip, skimming my hands down my sides before reaching for the door handles behind me. “But first…”

I open the doors, slowly stepping out onto the balcony until I’m backed up to the railing. Declan doesn’t move as he watches me, even knowing that if someone looks up, they might be able to see my beacon of white lingerie in the darkness.

So long as no one touches me, Declan doesn’t mind them watching. It’s his way of proving to the world I’m his, and we share in that fantasy.

I rest my back against the railing, watching Declan’s fiery gaze burn a hole through my chest. It sears with the heat of coals on my skin when I kick one foot up and set it on the chair beside me, showing off every inch of my pussy in my crotchless underwear.

“Fuck, you’re stunning.” Declan wipes his palm down his face.

“You always say I’m a work of art.”

“Because you are.”

“Well then…” I drag my fingers down my chest, teasing a nipple before moving lower. “Doesn’t that mean you should sit back and appreciate me?”

Declan stalks toward me, his gaze fixed on where my fingers slowly move over my hip, down between my thighs. A low growl rumbles in his chest as he watches me slide them inside me.