I feel a peace, a calm, that I’ve never known before.
It’s hard to walk slowly down the path, to keep time with the music. I clutch the small bouquet of white roses in my hands, my ring glittering in the sunlight, wanting to be at Max’s side. I catch the sight of tears in his eyes as I stop in front of him, and my heart turns over in my chest.
I hardly hear the beginning of the ceremony. All I hear is Max’s voice as he takes my hands, his heart once again laid bare on his face.
“When we met, Sasha, I clung to vows that I thought would keep us apart forever. I fought against the greatest gift I’d ever been given–your love, your trust–because I thought I was unworthy of it. IknowI am, still–but I will spend my entire life, and the next if need be, showing you how grateful I am to have that gift, how much I love you, and how much I will cherish you for all of our lives, until death parts us. For richer or poorer, better or worse, in sickness and in health–” Max’s mouth twitches up on one side, and I know why.
We’ve been through all of that already, and it didn’t break us. Nothing else will ever be able to.
“I will love you forever, Sasha Federova. And today, I make these vows to you, as I take you to be my wife.”
I take a deep, shaky breath, willing myself not to cry. “I have loved you since the first day I met you. I never thought I would have the gift of your love, either, but you have given me everything–including your heart. All I want is to be your future–you, me…and our child.”
Everything stops for a moment as Max’s eyes widen, and I see them brim with tears, sliding down his cheeks as his hands clutch mine. “Sasha–”
I nod, swallowing hard. “For richer or poorer, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, I will love you and cherish you, Maximilian Agosti, until death parts us, and further still. I make these vows toyou, today, as I take you to be my husband.”
I feel him slide the wedding band onto my finger as I do the same for him, and they’re hardly on before I hear the priest speaking, his words finally breaking through the haze I’ve been floating on.
“I now pronounce you man and wife–you may kiss the bride.”
Max’s arm goes around me, his hand against the back of my neck as he leans forward and kisses me, long and slow and deep, as if there were no one else watching.
At that moment, every fear or doubt I ever had vanishes, and all I can see ahead of us is a bright and vast future, stretching far into the distance.
Max is mine, and I’m his. His temptation, his obsession–and mine.
What was once forbidden is now our forever.
Loved Max and Sasha’s forbidden romance? Keep reading for a sneak peak of my next stalker romance, Wicked Brute, that includes:
Arranged relationship ?
Enemies to lovers ?
Plus another dark and sexy hero ?
Or click here to read Natalia and Mikhail’s sizzling hot romance now!
WICKED BRUTE
The Wicked Trilogy
Book #1
31
NATALIA
I never really thought I’d look good as a brunette.
The cheaply dyed sheen of it in the mirror does nothing to convince me. It’s no artfully layered and balayage salon job, that’s for sure. I’d managed well enough with my own two hands and a box from the store that it doesn’t lookentirelyflat and fake. Still, it’s a far cry from my days as a natural version of what I hear they’re callingexpensive blondethese days.
Of course, in this place, dyed hair–even the cheaply done kind–isn’t strange. Which is part of why I’m here. It’s easier to blend in.
Even if a few months ago, I’d never have been caught dead in a place like this.
“Athena! I didn’t know you were dancing tonight!”