Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
When I realized I’d forgotten to buy her shoes for our big day, I left mine off as well and in a way, it felt right for us to stand barefooted, in front of the priest and God as we vowed to be together forever.
When we were both ready, I led her to the room I’d prepared just for this moment.
I think in the design plan it was called a flex-space, but I made it our church. The place where our lives together will begin. It’s empty except for the thousands of white roses, lilies and peonies that line the walls and cover an archway against the wall of windows where we’re standing, holding hands, facing each other.
If anyone is calling for a bouquet of white roses today anywhere in the city, they are out of luck. I bought them all for a hundred miles.
I left her dirty, gathering her hair back from her face, kissing away her tears as she signed the marriage license while her pleas to the priest fell on deaf ears.
“You’re my wife now.” I lick my lips, hissing into her ear, then clear my throat. “I told you I was a man of honor. But, now that you’re mine, in the eyes of God and the law, I’m going to mark you so you understand you’re never getting away.”
I nod for the priest to take his leave. His only concern is the ten thousand dollars in his pocket and keeping his position on my payroll.
My father always told me, you need four things in your life. A good lawyer, a better accountant, a loyal dog, and a priest on the take.
I still need the dog, but I’d add one more.
A good woman. A dirty, challenging, smart, stunning woman.
I’m overcome, and shock rifles through me as I raise my fingers to wipe at the tears on my cheeks.
“Are you crying?” she says with a shake of her head, her eyes lifting to the ceiling then back to my face where I’m staring at the little drops of liquid smeared on my fingertips.
“I think I am.” I lick my lips. “See, my love? You’re changing me. I’m going to be the man you need, you just need to accept it. Then, the real fun will begin.”
“This can’t be real,” she mutters as I watch her lips move. Mesmerized by everything about her.
“It’s absolutely real, baby. You’re never going to be alone again. I’m a permanent fixture in your life from this day forward. You won’t be talking to anyone again. Not about me, not about our family. You’d only be hurting yourself. And soon,” I secure one hand on the side of her head, digging fingertips into the mess of her hair, tipping her head back and taking her lips in a proper kiss while I move my other hand to her belly then whisper, “our child.”
Her body stiffens as my boner grows, knowing it’s time.
“I’m on the pill,” she snaps, her sparkling eyes wide with victory.
I almost want to give her this little win, she looks so pleased with herself.
I slide my fingers from her belly to take her hand, leading her from the scent of white roses and lilies down the hall to the room where I will teach her what it means to be my wife.
The soft layers of fabric on her dress swish against the polished marble as we walk. The floor is cool against my bare feet as my heart beats triple time. I holster the gun and slip the knife from its sheath as we enter the massive suite I’ve prepared just for today.
Around the perimeter of the room are black and red roses in four hundred crystal vases. The skyline of the city is a silhouette against the afternoon sky beyond the windows. I’ve set the lights low, but bright enough I’ll be able to enjoy every bit of what’s coming.
“I’ll just divorce you. You can’t stop that.”
“You have all the answers, don’t you? Birth control, divorce…” I squeeze her hand as her eyes trace around the room, her lips tight, biting back a smile.
“Well, I can’t outrun a gunshot, but you won't get me pregnant. In time, I’ll escape before you can stop me, and yeah, I can file for divorce, and you can’t stop it, so…” She shrugs.
Such a smart girl.
“Guess you got me there. I mean you are pre-law, aren’t you, Little Lamb?” I loop my fingers into her hair, half dragging her now to the massive white bed against the wall, shoving her with a hard grunt face down into the soft white linen, then flip up the back of her dress, exposing that breathtaking ass and pinning her in place with one hand in the center of her back. “But, no matter because for tonight, I’m going to have my way, baby.”