I reach out, brushing my thumb across her lower lip, pulling it gently from between her teeth.
“That’s a great idea,malyshka. Let’s do it. We’ll give you the wedding you deserve.”
Her face lights up instantly, that beautiful smile breaking across her features like sunshine. She throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Thank you! I’ll call my sister and we can start planning.”
I hold her close, breathing her in. Making my wife happy has become one of the greatest joys of my life. I never thought I’d care about things like weddings or ceremonies, but seeing her eyes light up, knowing I can give her this, it fills a part of me I didn’t know was empty.
She deserves the world. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she gets it.
EPILOGUE
Calina
One month later…
The slow, sensual melody wraps around us as Maxim pulls me onto the dance floor for another dance.
We’ve already had our first dance as husband and wife, this time without any interruptions. I danced with my brothers too.
Now I’m back in Maxim’s arms, swaying slowly to a soft, romantic melody that seems written just for us.
Being back here, pressed against his chest, feels like coming home.
Earlier, we renewed our vows in the presence of our people watching, and this time it doesn’t feel suffocating. It feels protective. Safe.
My relationship with Maxim keeps growing stronger every single day. We’re in a better place now. It hasn’t been all roses, there are days I want to hit him with a frying pan, days we argue over little things that feel big in the moment.
But we always find our way back to each other. That’s the beauty of what we have. It’s not perfect. It’s real. It’s ours.
Maxim’s hand rests possessively on my lower back, his thumb tracing slow circles that send warmth through me. He leans down, lips brushing my temple.
“What are you thinking about,malyshka?” he murmurs, voice low and intimate. Every time he calls me the Russian endearment, it melts my heart.
I tilt my head up, smiling. “I’m thinking about where we’re going for our honeymoon.”
He chuckles softly, the sound vibrating against my chest. “Nice try. I’m still not telling you.”
I pout, giving him my best pleading look. “Why not? We’re leaving in just a few hours. You could just tell me now.”
He’s been keeping this secret for weeks, and it’s driving me crazy. I’ve searched his study, gone through his things when he wasn’t home, even subtly asked Victor who stayed frustratingly tight-lipped.
He shakes his head, eyes sparkling with amusement. “If I tell you, it’s no longer a surprise.”
“You know I don’t like surprises,” I remind him, though I’m smiling.
“You do,” he counters, pulling me closer. “You’re just impatient.”
I laugh softly, resting my head on his shoulder again as we continue swaying. “Okay, fine. Can you at least give me a clue?”
He’s quiet for a moment, then whispers against my ear, “It’s on one of your bucket list places.”
My heart flips. I have so many places on that list. Places I’ve dreamed about since I was a girl, places I never thought I’d actually get to see.
The fact that he remembered, that he’s taking me to one of them… it makes me fall in love with him all over again.
I lift my head, looking up at him with shining eyes. “You’re really not going to tell me more?”
He smirks, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Not a chance. You’ll just have to trust me.”
