Page 13 of The Marriage

She tried not to hear that, and failed. The large number made Karine pause, though she didn’t take her hand away from her throat.

“I ... don’t know. It’s very ...”

Karine fumbled with her words, staring at herself and the unfamiliar reflection that stared back. She wasn’t used to seeing that smile, those clear eyes, or the happiness. The necklace was really just a bonus.

A beautiful one, sure.

Roman stood tall behind her, then placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I do. It’s perfect, and made for you,” he said. “Look at you.”

She did.

Again.

She—and the necklace—looked better with him behind her. The whole world looked better through that view.

*

Karine finally understood what it felt like to be walking on clouds by the time they had returned to the hotel room, and Roman decided to run her a bath. She couldn’t close her eyes without seeing the piles and piles of bags and boxes from department stores all over Vegas. She could make her own store in the hotel closet, if she wanted. How were they going to travel back with all of it?

She didn’t ask.

When he said shop, he meant shop.

Karine hadn’t been ready.

“Did you have a good day?” Roman asked.

She sat on the edge of the marble bathtub, while Roman slipped the straps of her dress down her arms.

“I had an amazing day,” she replied, looking up at him. “But I’m tired, too.”

His rumbly chuckles had Karine laughing, too. When it was just him and her, alone like this, when she was happy, his smiles held pride. She had figured out a while ago that there was a small piece of Roman he kept well hidden from everyone—insecurity was his own monster to beat, but she seriously doubted he showed that vulnerability to anyone.

Except her.

The dress slipped down to her waist, revealing her small breasts. He came around to stand in front of her, staring without shame. She still had the necklace on, and had no intention of taking it off. Oh, someday.

Not today.

Scooping her hand into his, he helped her up the steps that led into the bathtub. As she sank into hot, bubbly water, Karine asked, “Are you getting in with me?”

The tub was big enough for it.

And she wanted him.

Roman didn’t bother to reply. The lavender scent of the bubbles filled her every breath and immediately relaxed her muscles while she enjoyed the sight of him stripping from his clothes piece by piece. The man really was a sight—sin in the flesh. Impressive in size, dark hair dusting the most tempting places on his body, and his gaze locked on her.

Yeah.

How could she not stare?

“I just don’t know if I deserve all of this,” she said, running her fingers over the necklace but meaning much more overall.

Roman’s clothes had come off and now all her attention was on his cock. He wasn’t hard—yet—but the size of him still made her mouth water.

She wore his ring now. The weight of it was not substantial, but she felt it constantly even so. He possessed her. Happily his. The very fact that they belonged to each other turned her on.