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, she’d seemed reenergized and determined to get out of the hospital before the ceremony. “You might not believe it, but I would have gone through with the marriage, even if you had told me about the shares at the last minute.”
He smiles. “I know that now. You love Sophie as much as I do, and you wouldn’t have let her down.”
“Well, I’ll admit my reasons for agreeing weren’t completely altruistic, nor prompted by the need for financial security.” I lock eyes with him. “I’d had a crush on you since I was a teenager. When you offered me the chance to be your wife, a small part of me jumped at it, convinced I could make you love me." I sigh, thinking of my innocence. “I let go of that illusion after our wedding night. When you rejected me, I figured out you would never see me in any way besides your convenient, temporary wife.”
“Harper.” This time, he stretches to put his hand over mine, and this time, I don’t pull away. “I was so cruel to you that night.”
I nod. “Yes, but you got the point across. Pretty soon I convinced myself that the silly crush I’d had on you that had turned to love was all in my imagination. I knew I loved you, and it took every ounce of strength and self-delusion to come to the point where I believed I didn’t anymore.”
His hand tightens on mine for just a second. “Are you still under that delusion, agape mou?”
For a moment, I can’t answer. Whatever I say will determine the future for both of us. My distrust fades away, and under it, my love is as strong as ever. There’s no reason not to be with him.
Instead of answering immediately, I get to my feet, lifting the contract he’s placed before me in my hands. As he watches, looking baffled, I take the stack to the shredder and dump it in. “No, I’m not,” I say.
“What are you doing?”
I slide around the side of the desk to settle myself on his lap. “I’m giving you back your company. I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.” I put my arms around his neck. “I just want you.” Brushing my lips against his, I can taste the trace of liquor remaining. “S’agapo, agape mou.”
His lips slowly form a smile. “You have been studying, haven’t you?” At my nod, he answers, “I love you too.”
I press my mouth to his, harder this time, enjoying the sensation of being in my husband’s arms. For the first time in our relationship, I actually feel secure. I lay my head on his shoulder. “I don’t understand one thing.”
“What’s that?” he asks, as his hands roam over my body.
I lightly slap away his hand when he cups my breast. “I’m trying to have a conversation here.”
“Talk quickly.” He tugs at the hem of my shirt and starts fumbling with the buttons as I speak.
“How did Maia get all the paperwork she brought to the house on Trini Island?”
Jayson pauses, tilting his head as he considers the question. “She either paid someone to steal the forms, she stole them from the office herself, or she convinced my idiot assistant to give them to her.” He grimaces. “I would assume it was the idiot assistant.”
I giggle. “What will you do to him?”
“I should fire him, but I’m feeling generous.” He pushes open my shirt to tackle my bra. “I will demote the idiot to a valet in the parking garage.”
I put my hand over his to stop his fumbling. “Let me help.” To my surprise, Jayson takes my left hand, examining it closely. “Is something wrong?”
“Marry me.”
With a giggle, I answer, “You’ve had more to drink that I thought. We are married, love.”
Jayson waves a hand. “I mean in a real ceremony, with our friends and family.” He kisses the back of my hand. “I want to mark the change in our relationship. I want you to be my wife completely.”
I tug my hand away gently, cupping his cheek. “I’d love to marry you.” Shifting to press my lips to his before dropping my hands to his lap, I tug at his belt. “That is, as long as you give me a preview of the wedding night.”
Jayson changes position to allow me better access. “For you, Harper mou, I would do anything.”
18
Epilogue
The day of the wedding is bright and surprisingly warm, without a hint of cloud in the sky. Being late October, I wonder if it’s wise to hold the ceremony outdoors, but Jayson insists I have the wedding I always envisioned. There’s an indoor backup plan, but it turns out to be unnecessary.
We exchange vows as crowds of guests watch. If anyone thinks it strange that we’re renewing our vows after only three years, they don’t say so.
When Jayson kisses me, it’s profoundly different than any of the other kisses we’ve shared. I’ve been married to him for three years, but now, and finally, I truly feel like his wife.
