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“I’ve found what’s best for me,” I insist. “Mishka and a career and a family. A happy life where we can live in peace.”
“I know,” my father murmurs.
And I think I catch the shine of tears in his eyes as he chucks my chin.
“He'd just better take care of my little girl.”
The thawing ice around my heart melts at those words, and suddenly, our tension over the past month seems less than important. At least tonight, I have the father I grew up loving and admiring. “He will, Papachka,” I promise.
The song comes to an end, and he gives me a tight embrace. Then he passes me off to Mishka once again. The music beckons, and as our guests flood the dance floor, I can’t stop smiling. Katie and my girls surround me, chatting and laughing as we dance like club girls. And when Viktor joins, it feels as though my life is back to that happy place of innocence, when I was pining for Mishka and ignorant to all the troubles of the world.
But tonight, he’s right here with me, his body pressed against mine.
As the night draws to a close, Mishka and I make our way to the waiting car adorned with wedding decorations and Just Married scrawled across the back window. The snow outside has intensified, creating a magical backdrop for our departure. Surrounded by cheers and waves, we step into the car. As the door closes, Mishka and I are enveloped in silence as we’re finally alone.
The luxury hotel that awaits us for our first night as a married couple is beyond elegant. The suite is adorned with candles and flowers, creating an intimate atmosphere. Mishka looks at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and anticipation.
“Did you have a good time?” he asks, pulling me into his arms.
Smiling, I nod. “How could I not? Today, I got to marry the man of my dreams.” And on top of that, in a strange way, I think my father and I have actually made peace. He and I might not see eye to eye all the time, but I genuinely think he loves me. In his own way.
Mishka hums, the sound low and enticing as he brushes a stray curl of my hair from my cheek.
“Did you have a good time?” I ask. I wished more than once throughout the day that Sascha could have been there, and I’m sure Mishka did too, but I see no sadness in his eyes when he leans in close.
“How could I not?” he murmurs and kisses me slowly and softly.
Heat radiates through my core as he echoes my words.
“So, Mrs. Orlov, what shall we do with our first night as man and wife?” he asks, his low voice sultry and suggestive.
Smiling against his lips, I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my chest against him. “I’m sure we can think of something.”
Reaching up behind me, Mishka removes the comb holding my curls in place, and as they cascade around my shoulders, he gives a rumbling approval.
“I think I’ll start by worshiping every inch of your perfect body,” he rasps.
I shiver with anticipation and run my fingers beneath his collar to loosen his tie. The soft fabric gives a quiet hiss as I pull it free and drop it on the floor.
“I almost don’t want to take this dress off you, you look so perfect.” Mishka trails kisses down the curve of my neck to my collarbone and lightly sucks my tender flesh.
“Then don’t,” I gasp. Hot wedding-night sex in my dress? A thrill rushes through my core to picture his head vanishing beneath the soft layers of fabric as he pleasures me with his mouth. In an instant, I’m wet and needy.
He growls with anticipation, running his hands over the soft fabric as he feels the curves of my body. “That sounds like a perfect place to start.”
As his lips slant over mine, claiming them with possessive greed, my heart flutters. It doesn’t matter how many times I’m with Mishka. I want him more every day. I crave his touch, my body responding to him like a moth to a flame.
“I love you, Alina,” Mishka breathes.
“I love you too,” I murmur, joy radiating from my body as he scoops me up in his arms.
As he carries me toward the bed, I know that this all-consuming happiness is only the beginning. I get to spend the rest of my life with the love of my life, and together, we’re going to share a beautiful family.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
ALINA
Three Years Later
