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Unlike our first encounter, I abandoned restraint—every gasp, every moan, every plea escaped freely. Easton matched my abandon, his customary control yielding to raw need as he drove us both higher.

"Mine," he growled against my ear as I shattered around him, pleasure cascading through my body. "My wife."

"Yours," I affirmed, holding him tighter as he followed me into ecstasy, his release triggering aftershocks that left us trembling.

Afterward, we lay entwined, heartbeats gradually slowing. Easton's weight felt perfectly calibrated against me, his head resting on my chest as I idly traced invisible paths across his shoulders.

"Perhaps we should have begun with marriage and worked backward," he mused, pressing his lips to my collarbone. "Spared ourselves considerable complications."

I laughed unreservedly, the sound freer than I typically permitted. "And missed the dramatic buildup? Where's the entertainment in that?"

He propped himself on one elbow, examining my face with that intense focus that once intimidated me. Now, I recognized it as how he memorized things that mattered.

"I love you, Harlow." Simple words, directly delivered, quintessentially Easton.

"I love you too." The declaration emerged naturally, as if I'd expressed it countless times rather than the first.

His smile unfolded slowly, satisfied, and genuine, before he drew me against his chest. "Again?"

Hours later, we lay amid tangled sheets, my body pleasantly exhausted. Easton's fingertips traced lazy patterns on my hip as I nestled against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"We should discuss Enzo," I said reluctantly, breaking our peaceful interlude but knowing the conversation couldn't wait.

Easton's fingers paused momentarily before resuming their gentle exploration. "What specifically?"

"He mentioned Meridian Properties. Said you took something that destroyed his family's legacy."

A sigh expanded his chest beneath my cheek. "I anticipated this emerging eventually."

I shifted to see his expression. "Is it accurate?"

"It's his interpretation of events." Easton raked fingers through his tousled hair. "Meridian was his father's development company. I needed to expand my tech offices and found their ideal property. Standard acquisition process."

"But?"

"After contract signing, I discovered the property held significantly higher value than disclosed.

Mineral rights and zoning opportunities they either overlooked or deliberately concealed.

" His expression remained open, honest. "I leveraged those advantages and generated substantial profit.

Enzo believes I defrauded his family, but everything was legally obtained. I simply conducted superior research."

The explanation aligned with what I'd learned about Easton—thorough, strategic, identifying angles others missed. "And his family's legacy?"

"His father overextended on other investments, expecting our deal to resolve his debts. When I paid fair market value rather than his inflated expectations, everything collapsed." Genuine regret colored his tone. "I learned about his circumstances afterward. Too late to intervene."

I studied his face, finding no deception. "Do you regret your actions?"

"I regret their suffering. I don't regret making sound business decisions with available information." His fingers traced my cheek. "That represents who I was then—focused on victory without always considering human consequences. I've evolved since."

"You have," I affirmed, recalling how he managed Bryce's betrayal—decisive but compassionate, firm but not vindictive.

He kissed me softly, silently acknowledging my faith in him. "What else did Enzo claim?"

"That you'd destroy my career once I served your purpose. Like others who trusted you." My tone remained casual, but the question carried weight.

Easton's expression darkened. "Classic manipulation—sowing doubt during vulnerability.

" His embrace tightened. "I've made mistakes, Harlow.

I've prioritized business over people too frequently.

But I've never deliberately destroyed someone who placed faith in me.

And I certainly don't consider you a temporary convenience. "

I believed him. Despite logical reasons for skepticism, I trusted the man holding me more than whispered warnings from someone with transparent motives.

"I know," I assured him, settling against his chest. "What comes next? For us?"

"The marriage paperwork is complete, which simplifies matters," he teased, resuming his gentle exploration of my skin. "But I want a proper ceremony after the grand opening. Something celebrating what we've chosen rather than what happened accidentally."

"I'd like that," I admitted, surprising myself with my sincerity. "And professionally?"

"You develop your oversight program. I operate Vegas's most compliant casino. We maintain appropriate public boundaries until after opening." His voice carried both conviction and tenderness. "We've embraced honesty in everything else—time to acknowledge this too."

"No more pretense," I agreed, feeling the rightness of our decision.

"No more pretense," he echoed, kissing my temple. "Just us, building something meaningful. Together."

As sleep beckoned, secure in my husband's embrace, I marveled at our journey—from professional adversaries to reluctant allies to genuine partners. What initially seemed life's greatest misstep had somehow become its greatest gift.

"From enemies to lovers to partners," I murmured drowsily. "Who would have predicted this?"

Easton's soft laughter was the last sound I registered before surrendering to sleep. "Vegas, baby. Where the house doesn't always win—but sometimes everyone does."