Page 37

CHAPTER 37

ROMAN

A fter the ceremony, we go to Eliza Van Horn’s for a private, celebratory dinner. Before she opened her restaurant, Eliza was a chef who worked with the Terror, among other pro teams. She even made us a mini wedding cake, and Lexi and I shared a first dance.

Hollis and Peggy take the girls home for the night—or what will be their home until they move in with me, something we have yet to discuss—and Lexi and I head to my place for a celebration of our own.

I kiss her knuckles and admire how perfect my ring looks on her finger. I love that she’s wearing a symbol of my commitment to her, and that we're done hiding. “Have I mentioned how stunning you look today?”

“Several times, yes.” She smiles. “But feel free to tell me again, if you like.”

“You are an absolute vision. This dress was made for you. But if you want to wear something different when we have a ceremony with our friends and family, we’ll get you a new one.”

“This one was plenty expensive. There’s no need to buy another. Especially since so few people saw me in this one.”

Of course she’ll be practical about it. She’s used to having to manage on a budget. She’s accustomed to not asking for things, including help. “I would buy you a hundred dresses, if it made you happy. And to be quite honest, I don’t mind that very few people have seen you in this dress. In fact, I prefer it.”

“Feeling a little covetous?”

“Absolutely.” I kiss a path up the inside of her arm. “All these months of having to stay away from you when we’re around other people has been hell. All this wishing you were mine, and now you are.” I kiss the dip in her elbow. “All mine. Only mine. To dote on, to love, to please, to spoil.” I tuck a finger under her chin and brush my lips over hers. “And tonight I get to do all of those things for the first time with you as my wife .”

Her lips curve up in a sultry smile. “I really love the way that sounds, husband .”

I nuzzle into her neck and kiss up to her ear, nipping at the lobe. “I can’t wait to hear you say that again, but as a moan.”

The car stops, and the driver announces our arrival, waiting until I give the okay before he opens the door for us. I help Lexi out and guide her to the elevator.

Fortunately, we make it to the penthouse floor with no stops. I hand her my fob and sweep her up in my arms. She laughs and wraps her arms around my neck.

I nod toward the door. “Let us in before I make a scene out here in the hallway.”

“It’s not like there’s anyone to catch us with Hollis and Aurora at my place.”

“I have plans for you that do not include sex in this hallway,” I murmur darkly.

“Fair.” She swipes the fob, and I carry her inside. I don’t put her down after I cross the threshold.

“Aren’t you going to let me look around?”

“You’ll see it every day when you live here. First I want to show you exactly how much I love you.” I carry her through the living room, past the kitchen and dining room, and down the hall .

“This place is huge.”

“Lots of room for our family,” I agree.

“I can’t believe we’re really married,” she says softly.

“This is the beginning of our forever.” I push through the doors to my bedroom.

“Oh, Roman.” Lexi gasps. “This is a fairytale.”

My bedroom has been transformed. Rose petals are scattered across the floor and my bed. Champagne and green apple slices with salted caramel dip sit on the table next to an armchair. Candlelight glows from every surface.

I set her down, only because I can’t get her out of this dress if I don’t. The low strains of music filter through the speakers. Lexi settles her hands on my chest. “This is otherworldly romantic.” There’s awe in her expression, and a flash of sadness. “I’m sorry we couldn’t share this day with our friends.”

“We’ll do it all again,” I promise. “But on a much grander scale, with a real honeymoon. We’ll spend two weeks somewhere that makes you happy, half of it in bed, enjoying each other, the other half making memories we can share with the people we love.”

“I adore you.” She loosens my tie and bites her lip. “Thank you for making today so special. I’m sure it isn’t how you envisioned your wedding.”

I stroke her cheek. “My darling wife.” I trace the contour of her bottom lip. “I didn’t know I wanted a wedding day at all until you walked into my life—” I follow the edge of her dress and tap gently over the part of her that I reside in now. “—stole my heart and never gave it back.” I curve my hand around the side of her neck, the thrum of her pulse grounding me as I slant my mouth over hers. Lexi loops her arms over my shoulders. I force myself to slow down, to savor the moment as I skim her satin-covered curves.

“You’re all mine,” I whisper, so in awe of this woman. She trusts me to be her person, to give her everything she needs, to grow and learn and live and love with her .

“All yours,” she agrees, one hand sliding down to work my tie free. “And you’re all mine, too.”

“Only yours.” I skim along her spine until I reach the bow at the base and pull the tie free. “Turn around for me.”

She shivers and complies. Her braid hangs down her back, threaded through with baby’s breath. I skim it gently with my fingertips. “So beautiful.” I lean down to kiss her shoulder. “I couldn’t stop thinking about how pretty this braid would look when it’s wrapped around my fist.”

Lexi tips her chin up. “I hoped you'd like it.”

I let the rope of hair slide through my hand once, then grip it at the nape of her neck and give a tug, angling her head so I can kiss a path to her ear. “I’m going to take my time undressing you. And when you’re naked, I’m going to worship every inch of your beautiful body with my mouth.” I bite the edge of her jaw. “Until you’re begging for my cock.”

“Sounds like heaven.”

I turn her head and brush my lips across hers, taking in her flushed cheeks, and parted lips. I want to remember every moment of this night with her. This first. To claim and be claimed by each other. “I love you, angel.”

“I love you too, Roman.”

I loosen the corset, dipping down to pepper kisses along her shoulders. “This is like unwrapping my favorite gift.” I work my way down the dress, exposing the blush satin and lace bra I picked out for her earlier today. “Such a pretty, tempting treat.”

I pull the final loop and the bodice falls away, revealing the delicate lace and satin bra and panty set that matches her dress. My lips coast along her shoulder as I move in front of her and drop to my knee. I press a kiss below her navel. “I can’t wait to taste my sweet wife.”

Lexi settles a palm on my shoulder for balance as she steps out of the layers of satin. I lay it across the closest chair and take her hands, kissing her knuckles as I drink her in. This beautiful, strong woman, so soft for only me. “You are beyond exquisite. ”

“I’m glad you like it.” She pulls her braid over her shoulder, bites her lip, and fingers a button on my shirt. “Is it my turn to unwrap you?”

“Almost.” I reach around behind her and flick the clasp on her bra. She lets it slide down her arms, dropping to the floor, before she pushes my jacket over my shoulders. It joins her dress on the chair. My tie goes next. When she starts on the buttons on my shirt, I tease her nipples, skimming them with gentle fingers, then tugging lightly. She groans and rubs her thighs together. But finally, she rids me of my shirt.

She moves on to my belt, then pops the button on my dress pants as she drops to her knees to remove my pants and socks. When she reaches for the waistband of my boxer shorts, I shake my head.

“But there are green apple slices and caramel dip.” She gives me doe eyes and strokes her braid. “Pretty, please?”

I lean down and slip my thumb between her parted lips. Her tongue presses against the pad and she sucks softly. “How can I say no you when you’re being so polite.”

Her eyes light up. There were so many memorable moments when we spent that weekend together in New York. But those green apple slices and caramel dip were unforgettable.

Lexi tugs my boxers down my thighs. Once I’m rid of them, I step back and drop into the chair next to the champagne and apple slices. I crook a finger and feel like a God when my gorgeous wife crawls to me. She runs her hands up my thighs, her braid dragging across my skin and she pulls herself up, brushing her lips over mine.

“Thank you for indulging me.” She sucks my bottom lip, then kisses her way down my chest.

“I'll fuck your sweet mouth, but I come in your pretty pussy, understood?”

“Yes, Roman.” Lexi reaches for an apple slice and drags it through the caramel dip. She carefully positions it over my throbbing, frankly painful erection, drizzling caramel sauce onto the head and down the shaft.

She nibbles the end, then holds the rest of the slice out to me. I take it with my teeth, the sweet tart flavor bursting on my tongue and bringing back memories of the last time we did this.

“Such a mess you made,” I tsk.

She blinks innocently up at me. “Can I lick it up?”

She’s beyond beautiful, on her knees for me, so eager and ready to please. “Be thorough.”

Lexi grins as she braces her hands on my thighs and drags her tongue around the head. She laps at me, teasing, placing open mouthed kisses along the shaft.

I hold out my hand and she places the end of her braid in my waiting palm. I plan to buy baby’s breath and weave it into her hair every chance I get. I wrap the length gently around my fist, not wanting to crush the fragile blooms.

“Be a good girl and suck it clean.”

I marvel at how perfect she is, how much power she wields as she takes me in her mouth and brings me to the edge. And I get to spend the rest of my life loving her, adoring her, and being loved and adored in return.

When I hit the back of her throat, I pull her off my cock. “That’s enough.”

She grins up at me. “Caramel drizzle dick is my favorite.”

I laugh and pull her into my lap, kissing her roughly. “You can have it for dessert any night you want.”

I slide my arm under her knees and she wraps her arms around my neck so I can carry her to the bed.

She tries to wind her legs around my waist, but I bracket her thighs with mine. “Ah, ah, ah. What did I say I was going to do?”

“Kiss every inch of me until I’m begging for your cock.”

“That’s right, angel. You got what you wanted, now I get what I want.”

Stretching out over her, I make good on my promise. I suck and bite her nipples, kiss my way across her stomach, down to her satin covered pussy. I lick the damp fabric, then tug her panties down her thighs with my teeth as I spread her legs wide.

“Hold yourself open for me,” I demand.

She parts her lips with two fingers and I lave her clit, teasing and nipping. I loop my arms around her thighs and fuck her with my tongue, swallowing down the taste of her.

“Roman, please,” her voice is rough with need.

“Those are the pretty words I’ve been waiting for.” I lick up the length of her, desperate for more of her soft moans and pleas for more.

When her legs start to shake and I’m as mindless with desire as she is, I cover her body with mine and settle between her hips. My cock slides between her slick folds and we both groan.

Her hands slide into my hair, eyes searching mine as she whispers, “I need you inside me.”

I shift my hips forward, filling her in one smooth stroke, connecting us, making us one.

Her trembling fingers drift down my cheek. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too. More than I ever thought possible.” I brush my lips over hers.

She bites her way across the edge of my jaw until her lips are at my ear. She takes the lobe between her teeth, then whispers, “Please fuck me with your fat cock, husband .”

I pull my hips back. “Anything for you, wife .”

Her breath leaves her on a high-pitched gasp as I fill her in one rough stroke.

Lexi grips my forearms, eyes hot with desire. “Please, more.”

I ease out and snap forward.

Her head falls back on a low moan. “Thank you.”

All the softness fades, and we come together like a storm, desperate to claim each other. I can’t get enough of her deep moans, her high-pitched cries, and the sound of my name tumbling from her lips—or the way her pussy grips me like a fist when she comes.

This is the first night of our forever, and I never want it to end. I slow my strokes, fighting to stay in control, to postpone the inevitable. “You’re mine,” I growl against her lips. “To love.” I grind my hips against hers. “To cherish.” I suck her bottom lip. “To worship.” I pull my hips back. “To fuck.” And slam back in.

“Always yours,” she groans.

Her body quakes with the force of her orgasm. And I fall too. Into bliss. Into her. We stay wrapped in each other, bodies twined, my lips pressed against her temple.

I want to stay here, in this perfect place where reality can’t touch us. Where there are no consequences for falling in love with the right person at the wrong time.