Page 96 of The Princess and the Rogue

“This should really be done with vodka,” Dmitri said. “But we can start with champagne, I suppose. The first toast is made to the newlyweds.” He raised his glass and everyone else followed suit.

“The newlyweds!”

Seb lifted his glass and Anya obediently took a sip of the tart liquid, enjoying the fizz on her tongue.

“Now, we all know that alcohol leaves a bitter taste in the mouth,” Dmitri stated. “And a remedy to bitterness is sweetness. So for the next toast, the married couple must sweeten the drink with a kiss, because kisses are sweet, are they not?”

“Here, here!” Alex cheered.

Dmitri turned to the rest of the group. “And you must all shoutGorko!which means ‘bitter’ in Russian, to remind them of their duty.”

Seb handed his glass to Benedict, and Anya handed hers to Elizaveta. He stepped closer, slipped his arms around her waist, and drew her forward. Anya held herbreath as he bent and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that stole her breath. It was a kiss full of promise and love, and it made her heart turn over in her chest. Cheers of “Gorko! Gorko!” echoed all around them, and they pulled apart with great reluctance.

“Is that sweet enough for you, Mrs. Wolff?” her husband murmured against her lips.

Anya smiled. “Perfect, Mr. Wolff. Just perfect.”