Page 82 of Goodnight, Sinners

And he wasn’t done.

He dropped to his knees on the floor, surprising her.

He looked powerful, godly, and completely at her mercy. His expression had shifted from the cold mob boss to passionate lover.

I am loyal to you alone.

Tears leapt to her eyes. “I know.”

He took her hand and held it over his heart before signing,you are the only thing is this world that can break me. You can destroy everything I’ve built. One bad decision, no matter how small, can bring down this empire. I must have your loyalty.

A tear trickled down her cheek and she felt worse than ever for keeping a secret from him.

“What do you want me to do?” she whispered.

Trust me.

She was about to say ‘I do’ but she hesitated. He’d told her that actions spoke louder than words and her actions had shown him he couldn’t trust her. She had to show him she meant what she said and that would take time.

She dropped to her knees in front of him and lifted his hand to her heart before signing,I will never give you reason to doubt me again.

His eyes pierced hers as he searched for truth, finally nodding.

As an adult, Shaun had never felt the need to explain herself to a partner before, but Jozef was changing her. She wanted his approval, his loyalty and trust. She wanted the things that had never mattered before and she wanted them because he loved her. He trusted her to make the right choices. She didn’t want to break that trust again.

He pulled her onto his lap, kissing her hard, sealing their pledge of trust. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on, kissing him back, showing him that she was ready to take the journey into their future together.

He stood with her, easily lifting her in his arms without breaking their kiss.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the press of his cock against her dress.

Jozef dropped her on the bed, coming down on top of her. He framed her face with his hands and searched, his eyes glowing with wonder.

My wife, he mouthed to her because there was no room between them to sign.

“My husband,” she whispered back.

The moment was powerful. It was the beginning of a new chapter for them. One that they’d entered willingly, rather than being forced together through circumstance and family ties.

Shaun wrapped her arms and legs around Jozef, pulling him into the private bubble where she pretended no one else existed. It was just them and the way they felt about each other.

“I love you,” she told him.

His gaze became grave, and he nodded, telling her he took her love seriously.

“I want you.”

He needed no more encouragement.

Shaun was ready to celebrate her wedding night properly. She wanted to explore Jozef’s body with the knowledge that he was her husband now. He belonged to her and it was official.

She’d never much cared about tradition, but it suddenly meant so much more to her. She was glad that there was a certificate tucked away in Jozef’s safe that announced them a couple in the eyes of the law.

Jozef tried to pull the straps of her dress down her arms, but the bodice was too tight. He frowned and flipped her over, making Shaun laugh as her face was pushed into the bedding.

She felt him tugging at the zipper and, when it didn’t immediately give, he gripped the sides of the dress and tore. It fell apart like paper in his hands.

When he’d finished dragging the dress from her body, he flipped her back over. His eyes lit with a new appreciation as they travelled down.

---