“Yes, I do.”
The significance of the words was not lost on me. Another vow, like a bride to her groom.
“I have something else to ask you.”
“Okay.”
“Are we still married?”
Her mouth curved. “What makes you say that?”
“I sent you the divorce papers you insisted I sign, but the next step was to file them with the court. My lawyer left me a message this morning to say that has not happened.”
“I’ve been so busy and?—”
“Lauren! Are you still my wife?”
“On paper.” She tilted her head. “Is that not good enough?”
I stood and grasped her hands to bring her upright and into my arms. “No, it is not! I want to hear you say it.”
She peered up at me with the sauciest of grins. “Alexei Nazarov, will you … stay married to me?”
The relief was so potent I almost doubled over. “Nothing would give me more pleasure.”
Then I kissed her, relishing the taste of champagne on her lips and the bubbles lighting up my blood before I fell in worship to my knees.
“Wait!” She looked down at me, her eyes shining with love. “We’re already married. You don’t need to ask me again.”
“True. But I do need to do this.” I took something out of the pocket of my jeans.
She gasped. “I wondered if it existed—did you have it all this time?”
The ring was a gaudy thing, perfectly suited to a mass Vegas wedding.
“It was too big for you and kept slipping off.”
Her lips twitched. “Let me guess. You found it in the same pocket as that marriage certificate.”
I smiled up at her. “I know it might not be your style, but I got it resized all the same. I will get you another one later?—”
“No, you will not. This is my wedding ring.”
I slipped it on her finger and watched as she admired its sparkle in the morning sun.
“I love you, Lauren.”
Those beautiful eyes, the ones that had struck me down all those years ago, lit up as brightly as the diamond on her hand. “And I love you, Nazarov. For better or worse.”
After all I had put her through, I planned to ensure there was more of the former than the latter. Starting now. Still on my knees, my hands moved to her soft, golden thighs and coasted up.
She placed the bejeweled hand over my seeking one. “Really, Nazarov? For all the neighbors to see?”
“I think perhaps it is time to christen this new deck, zhena.”
That morning, my wife was late for work, but I made sure it was worth every moment of her precious time.
Epilogue
