Page 172 of Bound By Revenge

I lay my hand over his heart, its steady rhythm so familiar and comforting. “Good. Because I’m going to want you for a lot longer than a few decades. I’m thinking forever will do.”

He leans down to brush his lips over mine. “Whatever my wife wants, she gets.”

Behind us, cheers and wolf whistles echo, and we grin as we kiss.

He pulls away, leaning closer to press his mouth to my ear. “I have an idea about Dmitri,” he whispers, his eyes lively. “Let’s run a little con on him. We can tackle the first phase tonight.”

Eyes wide, I press my hand to my chest. “Nik. I. Am. So”—I shake my head and swallow hard— “proudof you!” I sigh, before murmuring, “Spill.”

“I’d rather show you. Just follow my lead.”

He escorts me back inside, twirling me around as we cross the dance floor.

A.J. urged me to toss my bouquet as soon as the reception started. She shoved her way into the crowd of single women vying for it. I made sure to throw the flowers where no one else could catch them.

All the girls congratulated her, some more sincerely than others, but she paid them no mind. Instead, she marched straight to Lucien, wrapping her hands around his arm, eyes glowing with excitement. “Howinteresting, don’t you think?” she asked him.

He plastered a polite smile on his face for her, before glancing at me and Nik with a pleading look in his blue eyes.

Now, Nik and A.J. share a knowing glance before she goes to gather all the single men. It doesn’t escape my notice that she places Dmitri front and center. Then Nik pulls a chair out and motions for me to sit, giving me a wink.

Everyone crowds around us, cheering and laughing. Next thing I know, Nik’s kneeling before me, all too eager to remove my garter. The look he gives mehasto be illegal in at least forty-eight states and could probably melt the polar ice caps.

When he smooths my dress up my legs, his dark brown eyes turn pitch black, and his hands shake with anticipation as he tugs down the white lace band. His touch lingers as he murmurs, “My God,kiska. You’re so soft. So warm. And you’re all mine. I might just change my mind, say to hell with this, and take you to bed.”

After Nik launches the garter over his shoulder, I watch it fly until the creamy lace hits Dmitri in the chest, dead center. If he hadn’t caught it, it would’ve fallen to the ground. A.J. looks at him appraisingly for a moment before telling the other girls: “Okay, I’ve had a change of heart. Forget Lucien—I’m calling dibs on Dmitri.”

Dmitri glares at me and Nik, narrowing his eyes at us accusingly, before shaking his head and heading to the bar.

Laughing, I turn to Nik, taking a sip from my champagne flute. A joke about Dmitri’s disastrous romantic life is on the tip of my tongue, but I lose my train of thought when I catch the intense look in Nik’s eyes.

“I believe the fireworks are supposed to start soon,” he says. “But you’ll be able to see them just fine from our bed.”

“Is that right?”

He takes my hand. “The day after we met, I pictured bringing you to this island and making love to you under the stars.”

“Was that before or after you learned I stole your diamond?” I ask him with a smile, thinking he’s teasing me.

But his dark eyes hold my gaze. “The instant I laid eyes on you, I was lost. All this beautiful brown hair and these sexy curves caught my eye like a magnet. From that first moment, you were the only woman in the world to me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my blood racing through my veins, and it concerned me—deeply.”

I turn to face him fully. “Really?”

He nods. “When I registered the deep blue of your eyes, I couldn’t think straight. I thought there was something wrong with me. I worried I was losing my mind or getting sick.”

Hook. Line. Sinker. I bring my flute to my lips—my mouth suddenly dry—but the damn thing is empty. Somehow I’ve already drained it?

He takes a step closer to me, his eyes serious. “Tonight has been sheer torture for me—I hear your voice and see you, but I can’t touch you like I want to or consummate the vows we’ve made to each other. Enough is enough.Put me out of my misery and come with me. Come to my bed, and let me make you mine, once and for all.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m starting to think you can read my mind.”

Desire flares in his eyes. “Perhaps you’re right. Because something tells me you’re about to kiss me.” He grunts, “Do it,kiska.”

Enough is enough, indeed. I grab a handful of his hair, clasping him close, and rise up on my toes. Then I kiss my husband.

Chapter 62

Kat

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