Page 122 of If You Love Me

Lexi dabs under her eyes, then tucks the tissue away in a hidden pocket.

“Okay.” She takes a steadying breath. “I’m ready.”

“Me, too.” I wink, and she laughs.

The justice of the peace smiles. “Now we can proceed.”

I hold Lexi’s hands. I’ve never felt so steady, so sure of anything. Lexi is what my heart has been missing.

I barely listen to the officiant as I soak in the woman before me—so beautiful, so inspiring in every way. And she’s about to be my wife. Mine to have, hold, and protect. And then no one can fuck with her. Not Donnie, not the head office. Not Fielding or Vander Zee.

When it’s time for her vows, Lexi grips my hands tightly and exhales a steadying breath. “You are the most incredible man, and your heart is one of the most beautiful things about you. It is an honor to be loved by you, and even more of an honor to love you. I will guard your inner most thoughts like they’re my own. Your soft spots and gentleness will always be protected. When you’re trying to hold everyone together, I will remind you that you are always more than enough and that you are so very loved. I promise that I will do everything in my power to be deserving of the love you give so freely and without reservation. I will always stand by your side, and no matter what challenges we face, we’ll do it together. And I promise to be your partner and your confidant, your friend and your strongest ally, your very best student, and your most supportive coach.”

I smirk, and she grins and blushes.

Hollis coughs into the crook of his elbow, and Peggy snickers.

“From this day forward, until the end of this lifetime and whatever lies beyond, I take you, Roman Hammerstein, to be my husband, my soul mate, my forever.”

With unsteady hands, Lexi slides the ring onto my finger. I start to pull the cue card from my pocket but decide to speak from the heart. That’s what brought me here today.

“Lexi, I will never forget the moment I met you. You lit upthe world for me. And for years I thought you would forever be a memory. But then you came back to me, and I realized that the space in my heart was waiting for you to fill it again. I promise to love you, to cherish and revere you, to keep you safe, to be your partner, your best friend, your confidant, your cheerleader, your student, and your coach. Whatever you need, I will be it for you, because you’re it for me. I am whole with you, and wholly in love with every part of you. From this day forward, until my very last breath, I take you, Alexandria Forrester, to be my wife, my soul mate, my one and only.”

I slide the wedding band onto her finger. “My wife.”

The officiant barely had time to make the pronouncement before I sealed our vows with a kiss. Alexandria is mine.

CHAPTER 37

ROMAN

After the ceremony, we go to Eliza Van Horn’s for a private, celebratory dinner. Before she opened her restaurant, Eliza was a chef who worked with the Terror, among other pro teams. She even made us a mini wedding cake, and Lexi and I shared a first dance.

Hollis and Peggy take the girls home for the night—or what will be their home until they move in with me, something we have yet to discuss—and Lexi and I head to my place for a celebration of our own.

I kiss her knuckles and admire how perfect my ring looks on her finger. I love that she’s wearing a symbol of my commitment to her, and that we're done hiding. “Have I mentioned how stunning you look today?”

“Several times, yes.” She smiles. “But feel free to tell me again, if you like.”

“You are an absolute vision. This dress was made for you. But if you want to wear something different when we have a ceremony with our friends and family, we’ll get you a new one.”

“This one was plenty expensive. There’s no need to buy another. Especially since so few people saw me in this one.”

Of course she’ll be practical about it. She’s used to having tomanage on a budget. She’s accustomed tonotasking for things, including help. “I would buy you a hundred dresses, if it made you happy. And to be quite honest, I don’t mind that very few people have seen you in this dress. In fact, I prefer it.”

“Feeling a little covetous?”

“Absolutely.” I kiss a path up the inside of her arm. “All these months of having to stay away from you when we’re around other people has been hell. All this wishing you were mine, and now you are.” I kiss the dip in her elbow. “All mine. Only mine. To dote on, to love, to please, to spoil.” I tuck a finger under her chin and brush my lips over hers. “And tonight I get to do all of those things for the first time with you asmy wife.”

Her lips curve up in a sultry smile. “I really love the way that sounds,husband.”

I nuzzle into her neck and kiss up to her ear, nipping at the lobe. “I can’t wait to hear you say that again, but as a moan.”

The car stops, and the driver announces our arrival, waiting until I give the okay before he opens the door for us. I help Lexi out and guide her to the elevator.

Fortunately, we make it to the penthouse floor with no stops. I hand her my fob and sweep her up in my arms. She laughs and wraps her arms around my neck.

I nod toward the door. “Let us in before I make a scene out here in the hallway.”

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