Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
As we drive through the streets of New York, I don’t even try to guess where we’re going. I’ve grown comfortable in the unknown. I’ve learned to trust the letting go. Nick likes to be in control, and I realize I enjoy the surrender. Music plays in the car as we all sip a cocktail and take in the smoothness of the ride. Life is good. Life is simple. This is how I’ve always imagined it to be. I bop my head to the music and smile at the man I love.
“Are you happy, baby?” he asks.
“So happy.”
I notice Harrison smile as he keeps his eyes on the passing scenery trying to not be the third wheel. He’s had to get used to the lovey-dovey between us, but I don’t think he minds. I’ve seen the man smile a lot lately, and he’s not one to do so often.
When we arrive at the destination, I feel like something is off. There isn’t a line to enter the club, and though we are arriving later than usual, there always seems to be a constant flow of people entering and leaving Wonderland in the past. Not this time. Martha is at the entrance, but not to work the door. Instead, she leads us through the door.
The bass of the music greets us as we enter Wonderland. Walls of red roses flank each side of us. I notice that the roses start off as buds, and as we continue to walk, the roses morph to a full bloom. I’ve never seen so many red roses in my life. Thousands and thousands. And as we enter the main room, I see mirrors hanging from the ceiling. The mirrors are intensifying the number of roses around the room. Reflection of roses are from floor to ceiling and the suffocating beauty truly is breathtaking.
But something is different as we enter the room. No one is dancing. The people are now standing with champagne flutes in hand, focused eyes on us.
All eyes are on us.
The music is silenced, and the only noise is the click of my heels and Nick’s cane on the floor as we fully enter the main room. I notice Sasha in the front row of the crowd. She has a glass of champagne in hand and a huge Cheshire grin telling me she’s in on all of this—whatever all of this is. I also notice Cora standing with her own glass of champagne. When our eyes lock, she gives a slight nod of her head and a smile. I don’t smile back, but I do give a slight nod in acknowledgment to her. There are so many people here, and they are all focused on us rather than the festivities of Wonderland.
I spin around to look at Nick with confusion. I have no idea why everyone is looking at us… waiting.
When I turn, Nick is on one knee, with a ring larger than any ring I’ve ever seen in his hand.
My heart and breathing stops. “Nick?” I gasp.
“I wanted everyone at Wonderland to witness this,” he begins, his eyes locked with mine. “I know I’ve been keeping you locked away, for my eyes only. Mine. But it’s time for the entire world to know that you’re really mine. I love you. I fucking love you.” He reaches for my left hand and slides the diamond on my finger. “There is no one I’d rather grow ordinary with other than with you. Lyriope Morelli, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The fact that he emphasized the name Morelli and his very public declaration in front of hundreds of powerful invite-only people is not lost on me. I see what he’s doing. He’s seeing me. He’s allowing everyone to see me. He’s pulling me from the shadows and revealing me in the grandest of ways. The mirrors all around us are reflecting me from every angle.
See me.
They can all see me.
Nick Hudson—the king of madness, the ruler of Wonderland, the host of the crazed—wants to marry me.
Me.
Inhaling sharply as I glance down at the diamond sparkling underneath the light of the chandelier, I nod enthusiastically. “Yes,” I whisper. “Yes! Yes! I’ll marry you!” I reach for his hand to help him to stand. “Yes!”
Rose petals fall from the ceiling at the perfect moment. People applaud and give cheers of congratulations, but I can’t focus on anyone or anything else other than Nick Hudson… my fiancé. My future.
Taking me into his arms, blocking out everyone around us, he presses his lips to mine. A kiss of claiming, a kiss of possession, and a kiss of promise.
I pull away and blink away my swirl of emotions. “Are you sure this is what you want? I thought you don’t do ordinary.”
His lip quirks to a classic Nick Hudson grin.