Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Brielle mentioned that we’d be doing the traditional repeat after me vows, but when the priest looks at me for me to go first, I stop him before he can start, and Brielle glances at me in confusion.
“Brielle,” I say, taking her hands in mine, “the way we met was untraditional.”
She snorts out a laugh, and I grin when she covers her mouth in embarrassment.
“But I wouldn’t have it any other way. You bewitched me the moment I saw you at the country club. Your independence, determination, and motivation are only a few of the qualities that drew me to you. And as your husband, I vow to stand by your side, nurturing and supporting your hopes and dreams, every day for the rest of our lives.”
I pull the wedding band out of my pocket and slide it onto her finger. “Till death do us part.”
Brielle looks down at the ring and then up at me with glassy eyes. A tear escapes, tracking down her cheek, and I reach out, catching it with my thumb. And then she surprises me when she leans into my touch and grins at me—reinforcing my earlier thoughts that I’m making the right choice by marrying this woman.
“Miss Antonov, it’s your turn,” the priest says. “Would you like to say a few words?”
“No,” she chokes out. “I’ll … I’ll stick to the traditional vows.”
She averts her gaze from mine, but I lift her chin, wanting to look into her beautiful eyes as she repeats the priest’s words.
When she finishes, he tells her she can place the ring on my finger, and she looks up at me in horror. And that’s when it hits me—she didn’t get me a ring. And why would she? I’m forcing the woman into marriage. After she picked the venue, I had a wedding planner take over because Brielle wasn’t keen on planning the wedding.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her eyes darting between me and the guests in embarrassment. My woman doesn’t like to be vulnerable in public, and not bringing my ring will have everyone questioning our relationship and her character. “I … I didn’t even …” She shakes her head.
“It’s okay,” I tell her. Then, to the priest, I say, “You can continue.”
He pronounces us husband and wife, and I step toward Brielle, framing her face in my hands.
“I know I’m not the man of your dreams and this isn’t how you planned to get married, but I want you to know I meant every word of my vows. Till death do us part.”
Without giving her a chance to reply, I tilt her face up and press my lips to hers, kissing her for the first time as my wife.
“Let’s go celebrate, wife. And then after, I plan to take you home and spend the rest of the night inside you.”
24
Brielle
“You bewitched me the moment I saw you at the country club. Your independence, determination, and motivation are only a few of the qualities that drew me to you. And as your husband, I vow to stand by your side, nurturing and supporting your hopes and dreams, every day for the rest of our lives.”
Kane’s words threw me off-kilter. We’d agreed to traditional vows, but then he veered off course and spoke the words I had longed to hear. All I’d ever wanted was a husband who saw me as an equal. And when I finally got the words, it was from a man who could give me everything I’d ever wanted … except his heart.
“I can’t wait to peel this dress off you later,” Kane murmurs, reminding me that we’re on the dance floor, having our first dance.
After I picked out the venue, I told him I didn’t want to plan the wedding, that I had too much going on. The truth was, I just didn’t want to go through the motions for a loveless wedding.
I expected him to be an asshole about it. But he simply nodded and said he’d handle it. And he did. While it’s not on the beach with only our family and friends, like I would’ve wanted, the wedding and reception are beautiful and classy.
“Kane”—I glance up at him—“I really am sorry that I forgot about the ring.” I had one job—to get a wedding band for him—and it completely slipped my mind.
“You didn’t ask for this,” he says, smiling down at me, but unlike when he usually smiles at me, it’s pained. “But I meant my vows. Every word of them. I never planned to get married, wasn’t looking for it. But from the moment I saw you, I knew I needed to make you mine.”
“Because of the deal my family made with yours …”
“No.” He wraps his fingers around the side of my neck and meets my eyes. “Because, despite the designer clothes and makeup and ice-queen facade you put on for the public, I see you, Princess, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”