I expect her to rip free from my hold, but instead, she lifts a hand to my jaw and brushes her fingers over the stubble like a loving wife would. “Just because I hate Asshole senior doesn’t mean I have to hate Asshole junior. How does it feel knowing the only need I’ll have for you is your cock?”
Bravo.
The Tess from the first day we met would’ve cowered in my presence and flinched at a fly, but the woman sitting next to me has become a true mafia queen. She’s learned to stand up for herself.
And fuck, if it’s not a turn-on.
I want to make her so fucking strong even my enemies will cower before her.
Frowning at me, she asks, “What’s that look for?”
“What look?”
Her eyes narrow. “You actually look proud right now.”
“That’s because I am.” Lifting my hand to the side of her neck, my thumb caresses her skin as I press a kiss to her mouth. “All things set aside, I’m proud that you’re finally fighting for yourself, Theresa.”
Her face goes slack, her lips parting as she does a double-take, clearly not expecting my praise.
“The stronger you are, the more power it gives me.”
Tess’ eyes flit over my face, searching for something. “You want me to be strong?”
“Of course. Your feistiness might drive me insane, but it’s the one thing I’ll never try to suppress. You’re a queen now. You need to be feared. It’s the most valuable commodity in our world.”
Confusion flutters over her features. “What about my dreams?”
“What about them?”
“Will you allow me to live out my dreams or try to control me?”
The corner of my mouth lifts again, my fingers gently tucking a curl into place while my gaze drifts over every inch of her exquisite beauty. “You can do anything you want to, little dreamer. As long as you do it by my side.”
A frown forms on her forehead, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “I find that hard to believe, considering you’ve done everything in your power to control my life.” Pulling away from me, she leans back in her chair. “I’ll never trust a word from your lying mouth.” Giving me a sardonic smirk, she adds, “After all, I’m not that naïve.”
Well, at least our marriage won’t be boring. With time I’ll conquer Tess’ heart. I’ll drive her as insane as she drives me.
The speeches begin, my father first, then followed by Andreas. One person after the other spills their advice and jokes into the microphone until it’s time to open the dance floor.
The opening song is the only thing I had changed for today, and as Biblical by Callum Scott begins to fill the air, I pull Tess into my arms.
My eyes lock on hers as the words weave a spell around us, or at least, around me.
A slight frown settles between her eyes as she listens to the lyrics, then she mutters, “Seriously, who picked the song?”
“I did.”
Her frown deepens, then she lets out a sardonic chuckle. “Yeah, right.”
Lifting my hands to the sides of her head, I lean down and take her mouth, wanting her to keep quiet so I can have this moment.
Just like the kiss after we said our vows, Tess doesn’t try to stop it but instead gives herself over to me. I drown in her addictive innocence that I somehow haven’t yet corrupted.
If only she knew the power she held over me. I’d be truly fucked then.
Fear slithers into my heart, wrapping tightly around the emotions I have for this woman.
She can never know how I feel, not until she loves me, or she’ll use it to destroy me.
Breaking the kiss, my eyes drift over her face, my thumb brushing her bottom lip.
“I live in the land of confusion,” she whispers, still trying to make sense of everything that’s happened today.
That makes two of us, kardiá mou.
Realizing I just referred to her as my heart, I pull away and sigh in relief when Dad and Helena come toward us.
Dancing with my mother-in-law, the air is tense between us.
“I’ll take care of her,” I say to set Helena at ease.
“I know.”
Fuck, can this wedding be over already?
Chapter 24
Tess
Weird doesn’t begin to describe today. From the insane wedding to Nikolas actually looking happy, it’s all crazy.
Trying to get ahead of this wave, I sit next to Nikolas in the back of an SUV. Thankfully, there’ll be no honeymoon, and as far as I’m aware, I can continue with my studies.
My routine doesn’t have to change much. Hopefully.
When we don’t head in the direction of the Stathoulis’ mansion, or my apartment, I glance at the buildings wooshing past us, asking, “Where are we going?”
“Home.”
Letting out a sigh, I roll my eyes before looking at Nikolas. “Whose home? Where?”
“Mine, and you’ll find out soon enough.” He doesn’t take his eyes off his phone, typing out one message after the other.