Page 30 of Lord of the Underworld

"Seventy percent of the guests believe you're pregnant and this is a race to make an honest woman of you."

I burst into a shocked little giggle. "I should have expected it. And the other thirty percent?"

"It varies," he says. "My favorite theory is that your husband-" Viktor glances at Vadim, who is looking the other way, "fell madly in love with you at first sight and could not wait another moment."

"Oh, that's sweet," I say a little wistfully. What would it be like to marry for love?

"At any rate, best wishes to you both," he says, squeezing my hands before striding away.

The night seems to speed up and slow down after that. There is still a six-course dinner wedged into this "abbreviated" wedding reception that seems to drag on forever. Some toasts, not nearly as ribald as usual because no one wanted to risk finding out that Vadim didn't find them amusing. That part speeds by. When the first shouts of "Gorko!" rise from the crowd, I glance uncertainly at Vadim, who remained silent at my side during the dinner.

He stands, towering over most of the crowd and helps me to rise from my chair. Anka trades glances with me and she mouths, 'Use some tongue!'

"Gorko!" More shouts from the braver - or drunker - guests.

Vadim looks down at me and my breath leaves me in a little wheeze.

His eyes aren't cold. Not at all.

My new husband’s gaze is blue fire and he speaks. "The kiss makes the bitter drink sweet." His deep voice rolls over the crowd and then he sips the wine, before bending closer and putting his lips on mine. The wine passes from his mouth to mine, and my knees sag, just a bit. Vadim's arm tightens around me, holding me against him and his lips slant over mine, his tongue tasting the wine as I sigh into his mouth. Then, he pulls back and embarrassingly, my lips chase his for a second before I regain any concept of self-respect.

There's a huge roar of applause as Vadim stares down at me, his arm still firmly around my waist. In this moment, I want him to hold me even tighter, pressed against his chest as he spirits me away.

An hour later…

I thought I would retire gracefully to the bridal suite to get changed out of my dress so we could leave. Instead, Vadim leaves his conversation with the Pakhan of the Kuznetsov Bratva mid-sentence to escort me himself.

Iris, Rose and Caroline are in the hall chatting and they all give me a hilariously gleeful thumbs-up as we pass by.

"I'm just changing!" I feel compelled to explain.

"Yeah, okay," Rose says. "Make good choices." Vadim turns to look at her and she shuts up.

The elevator ride up to the suite is spent in silence. I keep my gaze fixed on the display, watching the numbers climb. I know he's watching me, but my ability to form a complete sentence seems to have disappeared after that kiss. I lick my lip, still feeling it throb from where he'd bit it earlier at the altar and he makes the smallest sound, like a groan.

"I'm sorry," I ask, my gaze somewhere around his left eyebrow, "did you say something?"

"Nothing important," Vadim says, his voice gravelly.

Bodyguards trail at a respectful distance behind us down the hall. Since my parents bought out the entire floor of the hotel, I'm not sure why there are two guards stationed at the door to the Bridal Suite.

"No one's been inside?" Vadim asks.

The big redheaded guard stiffens. Given Vadim's taciturn nature, I wonder if he's ever heard his boss speak before.

"Yes, Sir. Mrs. Turgeneva's friend Miss Volkova went in to pack for your wife a few minutes ago."

Vadim turns to me. I'm tall, I'm wearing heels and I still have to look up, then look up some more to meet his gaze.

"Will you be long?" He checks his watch with the look of a man who wants to get away from the four hundred "close friends and business associates" clogging the ballroom downstairs.

"Fifteen minutes." I grin. Fresh from our kiss, I'm feeling a little reckless.

He raises a brow, clearly doubting me. Before Vadim, I had no idea that a two-inch strip of hair could convey so many meanings.

"In fact, I'll be ready in ten."

Strolling into the living room of the suite, I feel stupidly giddy, spinning in a circle for a moment. The man who married me may be the Angel of Death, but he kisses like he's bringing me back to life.