Page 114 of Born into Blood

Chapter 19

Lara

Luka kisses me like he’ll never be able to get enough, and when I hear his family start to whistle and shout who the hell knows what in Russian, he lets me go with a laugh, the most beautiful smile on his face as he looks down at me.

“I love you, kisa,” he whispers before kissing me once more.

“I love you, too.”

I’ve barely gotten the words out before we’re pulled apart so everyone can hug and congratulate us. I’m completely overcome with emotion as I hug my new family, and I lose my battle with my tears when my mom wraps her arms around me and says, “I’m so happy for you, Lara.”

My mom has come a long way, and I’m so proud of her. I know it hasn’t been easy, but the fact that she’s even here, smiling and telling me she’s happy, is a goddamn miracle. We moved her into a nicer apartment that’s a few minutes away from us, and I think the change is helping her to move on and to let go of the past and the chokehold it’s had on her all these years.

“Thanks, Mom,” I tell her, squeezing her tighter. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too, baby.” She kisses my cheek and lets me go with a laugh when Vitaly swoops in to give me a big bear hug. Having an uncle and aunt in my life is turning out to be a lot of fun. Luka and I go over for supper at least once a week, and I already feel close to Sveta and Val. My life has changed so drastically since meeting Luka, and I wake up every day feeling grateful for it.

The crowd slowly makes its way to the adjoining tent that’s filled with tables and a team of caterers who have been working their asses off all morning. Everything looks perfect. It’s a dream wedding, but the real reason isn’t because of the lavish decorations or expensive dress I’m wearing. It’s all because of the man standing next to me. I could’ve married Luka in a parking lot and it still would’ve been the most romantic wedding I could imagine. I just need him.

He holds a chair out for me at the main table before taking the seat next to me. His hand finds mine, threading our fingers together, and the feel of his wedding band pleases some deep part of myself that I hadn’t realized was lacking. I love that he’s mine. I love that my name is tattooed on his chest, and I love that he now has a band around his finger. I’m possessive when it comes to him. I want every part of him, and I want the whole world to know that he’s mine.

“Someone’s looking adorably possessive,” he teases, whispering the words near my ear as his thumb strokes my hand.

I’m not surprised he can read me so easily. He’s always been able to tell exactly what I’m thinking.

“I really like the way that wedding band looks on you,” I tell him. “It’s a very obvious sign that you’re taken.”

He gives a soft laugh and kisses my cheek. “Baby, I was taken the second I saw you. Ring or no ring, I will never belong to anyone but you.”

I smile at his answer as the caterers start dropping off plates of food. We eat and laugh and when the sun starts to set, the music changes and everyone heads to the dance floor that’s now set up where the first tent had been. I don’t know who his family hired to do all this, but they’re doing an amazing job. We’ve had photographers following us around all night, but they’ve been keeping their distance, and I’ve hardly noticed them. When Luka takes my hand, leading me to the middle of the dance floor, I smile and follow his lead. The rest of the wedding party comes out to join us when Luka waves them over. Dominic watches as Max dances with his wife, and although he has a relaxed smile on his face, his eyes never leave her. Sveta and Damien glide past us, and when I turn my head, I see Vitya staring at her just as intently, even if he is technically off duty tonight. I’m not so sure that guy ever takes a night off.

Sasha twirls a laughing Mia around, and I laugh when I see she’s traded her heels in for a comfy pair of black Converse sneakers. I can’t say I blame her. I don’t know how Natalya is doing it. She’s gliding around on a sexy pair of pink heels like it’s nothing while my feet are absolutely killing me. When I take another step and wince, Luka’s hand immediately goes to my stomach. “What’s wrong?”

I smile up at him. “I’m fine. It’s not the baby. It’s my feet,” I say with a laugh. “These heels are killing me.”

He drops to his knees, ignoring all the couples dancing around us, and slowly starts to unbuckle the strap around my ankle. My dress hides what he’s doing from view, and when he squeezes my calf before slowly sliding his hand up my leg, I look down at him while trying to keep my face unreadable. He drags a finger along the top of my thigh high and lifts a brow at me.

“Thigh highs?” His fingers keep exploring. “And a garter? Jesus, kisa, you trying to kill me?”

He dips a finger under the lacy, white garter I’d chosen for today and gives it a soft tug.

“It’s tradition for you to throw that,” I tell him, but he looks at me like I’m crazy.

“I’ll kill anyone who touches this. It’s been wrapped around your upper thigh, baby. No one gets to see or touch this but me.”

“Already so possessive,” I tease, “and we haven’t even been married a full day yet.”

“Always.” His green eyes stare into mine as he gives the garter another soft tug. “I’ve been possessive of you since the first second I saw you. You are mine, Lara, and no one else gets to see or touch what’s mine.”

He gives me a wink and keeps traveling up my inner thigh before lightly grazing his fingers along the thin scrap of lace between my thighs.

“What are you doing?” I whisper just loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m memorizing every detail of my beautiful wife, and I’m thinking about how amazing you’re going to look when I fuck you while you’re wearing this.”

“What are you doing, Luka?”

The question is loud enough to rise above the music, and I don’t need to look to know it’s Vitaly who’s just yelled it. When my face turns beet red, everyone around us laughs while Luka smiles up at me, not looking even slightly ashamed as he gives my pussy one last rub and then slips the high heel from my foot. When they’re both off, I let out a relieved breath and grab his hand again. My heels hang from one of his fingers as we sway to the music.

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