Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
“No.” His jaw bunches. “Not by a long shot.” Reaching out like a flash of lightning, he wraps his fingers around my nape. “I love you. I’ve never loved anyone but you.” He releases me as fast as he’s grabbed me. “There. The truth is yours. Like your freedom, you deserve it. Now it’s best if I go. If I stay longer, I may break my promise and decide to keep you.”
Even though it hurts, I go on tiptoes and lean against him. “I’d rather you do.”
Narrowing his eyes, he works his jaw. “Do what?”
“Keep me.”
“Don’t play me, Tatiana. I’m too old for those games.”
“Have I ever played games?”
He puts a hand on my hip, tentatively cupping it. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want a man who loves me, a man who’s worthy of me, and if you’re that man, I’d like to give us a shot. I’m not saying it will be easy, but I’m willing to try if you are.”
His deep voice carries a warning. “There’s no coming back from this. Ever. Do you understand?”
“I understand that I’ll stay if you can show me that you deserve me, and I’ll do the same for you. But there’s one thing we need to be clear about. I won’t be used again.”
He stares into my eyes with emotions churning in his, showing me that he’s not invincible and that if there’s one person with the power to slay him, it’s me.
“Do you mean that, Tatiana Morici?”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I’ve always loved you, Dante, right from the first rainy day.” When he aims for my mouth, I put a hand on his chest. “Wait. That day in the snow, when I ran into you outside our condo, why were you there?”
His smile is dark. “Why do you think? I was there for you. Who else would I be chasing until my last breath?”
I melt into his arms, letting his warmth seep into me while taking strength from the wall of muscles that promises eternal protection and care.
When he lowers his mouth to mine, this time, I know deep inside it’s right. A vow of such magnitude as the one he’s continuously repeated not only in words but also in actions deserves to be sealed with a kiss.
He traps me against him in the tender but unbreakable cage of his arms, no longer holding back or hiding. Unlike that day in the snow, he doesn’t fight the truth. He lets me feel his desire, a passion that, despite the black years between us, has only grown stronger.
Everything he’s done, good or bad, has proven one thing—that he wants me. I revel in the knowledge that he’s wanted me since the day we’ve met, that I’ve always been the only one. Our relationship has seen some dark times, but underneath the hatred, it stood the test of time.
Dante isn’t an easy man to live with. His love is as dark as his soul. We must be made for each other because my love has always flourished in the dark, even when it hid in my heart’s secret shadows, growing deep roots in the cracks of my broken parts.
And now that it’s finally come into the light, it’s an unstoppable force, no longer simply surviving the man who betrayed me but thriving under his unapologetically morally gray devotion.
I sigh into the kiss before he breaks it and goes down on one knee.
“Tatiana Morici, I promise to make your happiness my life goal. Will you be mine?”
There’s only one answer, but I’ve never given it to him. I’ve told him I loved him, but I’ve never said yes. So I do it now. I give him the answer I owe him. “Yes.”
The look in his eyes is one of fierce possession as he gets to his feet and pulls me back into his arms. “You won’t regret it, not for a moment.”
Burrowing against his broad chest, I smile. “I know.”
Because for the first time for as long as I can remember, I feel whole. It’s one of those profoundly perfect moments I want to trap in a snow globe.
Because now I also know.
As much as I’m forever his, this beautiful, dangerous man will always be mine.
Epilogue
Tatiana
* * *
The bell tolls in the tower, announcing it’s time.
Tears fill my eyes as I hand Jazz the colorful bouquet of wildflowers outside the church. “Look at you. You’re beautiful.”
She pulls at the skirt of her boho wedding dress. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
“It’s perfect.”
“Okay.” She takes a deep breath and faces the door. “Let’s do this.”
As I move around her, she puts a hand on my arm.
“Wait.”
I look at her.
“Tiana...” She bites her lip. “What if we’re making a mistake?”
I pause. “Does it feel like a mistake?”
“No.” She frowns. “But don’t all weddings feel right?”