Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“It’s so beautiful,” I breathe.
His thumb brushes my palm. “Beautiful.”
His gaze is fixed on my face, not the Minster.
I flush with pleasure.
He’s beautiful, too. His reconstructed face is almost painfully perfect, but it’s his familiar eyes that will always captivate me.
My breath catches when he drops to one knee and pulls out a small box covered in navy velvet. He pops it open to reveal a sparkling round diamond ring set in platinum. The design is simple and classic, but the sheer size of the stone makes my jaw drop.
“Brandon…”
His eyes flash with quiet, desperate hunger as he drinks me in, memorizing every nuance of my expression.
“Karolina Taylor.” He uses my real name, and my heart flutters at the sound of it in his deep, rich voice. “I’ve been in love with you since the moment I first saw you. You are the reason for my existence. It’s only ever been you. I swear I will love and protect you every day for the rest of our lives. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes!” I burst out, almost before he can finish the question.
I hold out my hand eagerly. That slightly crazed grin lights up his face as he slides the ring onto my finger.
He drops a kiss over the sign of our promise to one another. Soon, he’ll wear a ring, too. Everyone will know that he’s mine.
I grasp his shoulders and haul him to his feet so I can crush my lips to his. He’s still smiling against my mouth, delighted at my possessive hunger for him.
I kiss him deeply, claiming him publicly for all to see. I don’t care if they know I’m with my former professor. I’m proud to have him holding me.
He’ll be by my side forever. And in our bed. In our home.
My fiancé. My love. My reason for breathing.
I’ll never live without him again.
Even death won’t part us. Our souls are bound for eternity.
I can hardly wait to be his wife.
EPILOGUE
KAROLINA
Nine Months Later
“We’re married!” I exclaim, jubilant. “You’re my husband.”
Brandon’s grin is covetous as he drinks in the sight of me doing a little happy dance in my wedding dress. The full skirt swishes around my ankles when I twirl, unable to contain my joy.
He pulls my body flush with his, trapping me with the iron band of his arm around my lower back.
“My beautiful bride. What should I do with you now that we’re all alone?”
I straighten his black bowtie. He’s stunning in his tux. We got all dressed up for the occasion, even if it was only the two of us and an officiant at the ceremony. We got married in our ballet studio, and Brandon played a new song for me as I glided in to meet him for our union.
“I have a few ideas about what we can do,” I purr, pressing my breasts into his hard chest.
He tugs at my hair, trapping me beneath his intent stare. “But I already have plans for you, wife.”
A pleasurable shudder rolls through my body. His wife.
He lifts me up in his arms, and a delighted laugh bursts from my chest. I expect him to carry me up to our bedroom, but he makes his way to the front door.
“You’re supposed to carry me in over the threshold, not out,” I correct him.
His grin is sharp enough to cut. “But how can I hunt you properly inside the house, kitten?”
He pauses at the table where we keep our car keys by the door. My heartbeat ticks up a notch. He’s laid out his crimson skull mask and leather gloves. My running shoes are waiting by the door.
He carefully sets me down on my feet. “You’re welcome to try to evade me in those pretty pink high heels, but I don’t think that would be a very long chase.”
I kick off the heels and eagerly step into my sneakers. “You know I’ll make you work for it.”
He plants a fierce kiss on my lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I glance around. “Where are my clothes?”
“You’re going to wear your wedding dress. I’m looking forward to ripping it off you when I pin you in the dirt.”
My clit pulses, and I lick my lips with open desire for him.
He pulls on the gloves first, and I can’t help admiring his long, elegant fingers sheathed in soft black leather. Then he dons the mask, and I take a long minute to appreciate my husband’s wicked perfection. He’s suitably intimidating with his demonic skull and sharply tailored tux.
“Very scary,” I approve.
He chuckles. “You’re not scared. But I’ll have you trembling for me soon enough.”
He opens the front door, and we step out into the twilight.
He leans in and rumbles in my ear, “I’ll let you get to the woods before I come after you. Run, kitten.”