Is this the woman I saw for the first time in years only weeks ago, sitting at her father’s table, her eyes wide with surprise? The one who looked at me with shock? I saw the memories in her eyes that day, the hurt and hope. I saw everything crumble when I took her home with me. But now, it feels like we’re rebuilding what once existed between us.
The priest drones on in a low voice, and I only tune back into what he’s saying as he pronounces us husband and wife. I’ve barely heard his last few words, but I hear those as if they’ve been stamped onto my soul.
And I hear his next words clearly too.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Before he’s even finished speaking, I pull Rose into my arms and kiss her. It’s different than before—not passionate or fiery, but a promise. It is a promise as deep as the ocean, as true as gravity. I kiss her until she’s breathless, and I think there’s applause from the gathered guests, but I don’t fucking hear it.
In this moment, nothing else feels important. I’m not thinking about business or betrayal, deals or decisions. I’m here with Rose, her delicate body pressed against mine as I kiss her in a way that’s far from appropriate for a church. I’m only thinking of her.
Because this is it for me.
She’sit.
My forever.
CHAPTER27
Rose
I break away from Aiden, breathless, my mind whirling. My heart pounds against my chest, the hammering drowning out the sounds of the crowd.
Desire sparks in his eyes. My body is burning, flickering to life as I feel the same thing.
We’re married. He’s my husband.
Aiden turns, taking me by the arm. We walk down the aisle hand in hand as the gathered guests applaud.
“Come with me,” he murmurs as we step through the large double doors that lead out of the nave.
There will be a reception afterward, but it will take a while for everyone to leave the church and gather for that, so I don’t protest when Aiden tugs me toward the room where I got ready before the ceremony.
The red dress hangs in the corner, partly covered by its bag. I barely glance at it as Aiden pulls me into his arms.
“Fuck, you look so beautiful,” he groans, his lips finding my neck.
“You clean up pretty good yourself,” I shoot back with a grin, gasping as he lifts me up and sets me down on the vanity in the corner. His rough hands shove at my dress, pushing away layers of fabric to reach me.
“Maybe you should have chosen a different dress,” I say, laughing breathlessly.
Aiden’s gaze shoots up to meet mine, his eyes dark. “No. This one is perfect. But I’ll rip it off you if I have to.”
I shiver at the look in his eyes, and then my own eyes roll back as he finally pushes the heavy fabric out of the way enough to get what he wants. He kisses me as he sinks his fingers into me, and I groan against his mouth, my nails digging into his shoulders.
“Aiden,” I whimper, my hips jerking toward his hand.
He keeps me held in place, his lips ravenous on mine and his free hand on my thigh. My hips buck against his hand as he works to open me, fast and messy. I know we have to be fast if we want to make it to our own reception in time, but part of me doesn’t care.
Aiden adds a third finger inside me, and I moan, my legs lifting farther, knees bent as I try to open myself wider for him.
“Come here,” he growls.
Dragging his fingers out of me, he grips my waist and lifts me off the vanity, planting my feet on the floor before turning me around. He grabs my wrists, guiding my hands to the top of the small table.
My palms flatten on the smooth wood as he drops to his knees behind me, shoving my dress up around my waist. Tugging my panties aside, he buries his face between my legs from behind as I struggle to stay upright.
“Oh fuck!”
