I turn and look at the scars, visible because the fabric falls softly to my lower back.
Gabriel chose this dress, and I’ll wear it with pride.
I choose a silver clutch from the collection I started a couple of weeks ago, and placing my phone and some tissues in it, I leave the bedroom.
The house is quiet as I take the stairs down to the entrance hall, then Gabriel steps into my line of sight. My breath catches from how devastatingly handsome he looks in the black tuxedo.
With awe on his face, he steps forward, holding his hand out to me. “Your carriage awaits, princess.”
A smile spreads over my face, a burst of happiness quickening my heartbeat.
When I place my palm in his, he murmurs, “You look absolutely breathtaking, Ödülüm.”
“Thank you,” I say before joking, “You look too handsome to leave this house.”
Gabriel's eyes are filled with love, making me feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
“Are you ready for your birthday party?”
I nod, excitement bursting in my chest. “Yes.”
“Let’s go.” He leads me out of the house, where a limousine waits for us. He opens the door and helps me climb into the backseat, where two flutes of champagne are on a small counter.
My God, this is so romantic. I feel like Cinderella going to the ball.
Enjoying the bubbly liquid while Mirac drives us to our destination, Gabriel asks, “No underwear, right?”
I nod.
He moves off the seat and kneels in front of me. “Don’t make a sound.”
What?
Then Gabriel pushes the fabric up and pulls my legs open. He lifts one over his shoulder, and some champagne splashes from the glass and onto the seat when he plants his face between my legs, sucking and licking the ever-loving hell out of me.
I clamp a hand over my mouth and set the flute down before I drop it. With the hand I have free, I grab hold of his hair, my head falling back from the intense pleasure.
It takes only minutes for me to shatter, and I struggle to muffle the moans as the orgasm paralyzes my body, and I grind against his face.
Gabriel pulls himself up, shoves my hand out of the way, and claims my mouth. I taste my release on his tongue, my body spasming with residual pleasure.
Just as he ends the kiss, the limousine comes to a stop.
Gabriel murmurs, “Happy birthday, Ödülüm.” Then he quickly adjusts my dress, so I’m covered.
Opening the door, he helps me out of the vehicle, my legs still trembling from the orgasm.
He takes hold of my hand, and linking our fingers, he leads me into a building with a sign that reads, ‘Vengeance.’
It’s dark, and fairy lights decorate the walls, showing the path we need to follow. “It’s so pretty,” I whisper, then my lips part, and emotions wash through me.
The hallway opens up to a floor where our family waits, all dressed in formal clothes. Mom looks so pretty in a gold-colored gown. Murat has a possessive arm wrapped around her.
“Happy Birthday!” they all shout.
There’s a table overloaded with gifts. An enormous birthday cake stands near it, seven layers high. Lights sparkle everywhere, pink and silver balloons floating against the ceiling.
“Wow,” I breathe, tears filling my eyes.
Turning, I plow into Gabriel’s chest, wrapping my arms tightly around him. He engulfs me against him, pressing kisses to my hair.
“Thank you,” I squeeze the words out through a tight throat, fighting hard not to cry so I won’t ruin my makeup.
“You’re welcome, baby.” He rubs his hand over my back. “But you need to let go so I can give you your gift.”
“You already did,” I say as I reluctantly pull back.
Gabriel tugs me to the middle of the floor, where a soft spotlight shines. I glance around me, a smile quivering on my lips, then my eyes widen as Gabriel kneels before me for a second time tonight.
He wouldn’t… would he?
Just before I can have a heart attack, he takes a small black box from his jacket and opens it.
Holy shit!
I burst out in tears, covering my face.
“Look at me,” he orders.
I shake my head.
“Baby, look at me.”
I lower my hands and meet his eyes.
“Marry me,” he demands.
“You have to ask her!” Nisa cries. “Allah Allah, have I taught you nothing?”
Laughter bursts through my tears, and I nod as quick as I can. “Yes. YesYesYes!”
Rising to his full height, he pushes a stunning diamond onto my ring finger, then kisses me hard, applause and cheers filling the air.
Cinderella was right…
Being kind, having courage, and believing in a little magic brought me to Gabriel and a family filled with good and caring people.
Epilogue
Lara
Seven years later…
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” I call playfully.
I hear Deniz’s chuckle, and knowing he’s behind the armchair his grandmother is sitting in, I pretend to search everywhere for him.