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He chuckles. “Someday.”
I love the look on Nick’s face. Though he still has the same wicked and sinister smile he’s always had, I see a sparkle in hiseyes. He’s happy. I can see it. I can feel it. But so am I. So much so. So much that I often feel panic surfacing in fear that it’s going to all be stolen away from me. I haven’t left Nick’s house since arriving, and though a big reason for that is that I’m pretty much naked in his arms most of the time, but the other part is that I’m worried to face the world and reality. I don’t want this bubble of lust and security we’ve created to ever be popped. I’m living a fantasy, a fairy tale, but I worry the evil beast is waiting to pounce.
“Come on,” he says, slapping my bare ass. “We need to get dressed. The car is waiting for us downstairs. We can’t have a Wonderland without the host and hostess.”
“Hostess?”
“Forever and on. You will be by my side as my queen in this kingdom of mine. I want Wonderland to belong to both of us.”
I love his words. I love Wonderland. And I love the idea of helping him create the magic of the world. “Well, then you’re going to have to allow me to help plan,” I say.
“Rather than just fucking you until you pass out?” he says with a laugh. “Fine. I think that’s fair. I want your artistic mind involved, so it’s a sacrifice I’ll have to make. You can pick the theme for the next Wonderland and be in charge completely. Promise.” He swats my ass again, the sting of the swat making me hungry for more. “Now get ready. We’re late.”
I pout for show as I get up and walk to the closet that holds rows and rows of dresses. Not one of them is red, and I’m delighted in that fact. Nick had made a big show by taking every dress that even had a speck of red off the hanger and tossed them into a large bonfire out by the pool. Ashes were the only thing left as I said goodbye to a time I hoped I’d soon forget. I had no intentions of seeing Bryant again. I also had no intention of seeing my mother either. As far as I’m concerned, I’m ready to rebuild. I have Dylan and will work on forging a closerrelationship with him. I also have a sister-like relationship with Sasha and will foster that even more.
And I have Nick.
That’s all I need. That’s all I want.
I pick out an ivory dress that sparkles in the light. I think it’ll be pretty against the roses bloom theme. I also pull my hair up in a twist so my neck is easy for Nick to kiss and even bite. I’m nearly giddy as I slip on shoes that make my feet feel like I’m walking on bubbles rather than the tight heels I promised myself I’d never wear again. It’s amazing how having control of the little things in life makes me happy.
When I walk downstairs, Nick is standing there waiting for me. He’s wearing a black suit, a red tie, and looks as handsome as ever. He is the pure definition of sexy as fuck, and I wonder how long I’ll remain in this dress once we arrive at Wonderland. Harrison is standing beside him, so I know that since we’ll have a guest in our car, that we’ll have to behave.
As we drive through the streets of New York, I don’t even try to guess where we’re going. I’ve grown comfortable in the unknown. I’ve learned to trust the letting go. Nick likes to be in control, and I realize I enjoy the surrender. Music plays in the car as we all sip a cocktail and take in the smoothness of the ride. Life is good. Life is simple. This is how I’ve always imagined it to be. I bop my head to the music and smile at the man I love.
“Are you happy, baby?” he asks.
“So happy.”
I notice Harrison smile as he keeps his eyes on the passing scenery trying to not be the third wheel. He’s had to get used to the lovey-dovey between us, but I don’t think he minds. I’ve seen the man smile a lot lately, and he’s not one to do so often.
When we arrive at the destination, I feel like something is off. There isn’t a line to enter the club, and though we are arriving later than usual, there always seems to be a constantflow of people entering and leaving Wonderland in the past. Not this time. Martha is at the entrance, but not to work the door. Instead, she leads us through the door.
The bass of the music greets us as we enter Wonderland. Walls of red roses flank each side of us. I notice that the roses start off as buds, and as we continue to walk, the roses morph to a full bloom. I’ve never seen so many red roses in my life. Thousands and thousands. And as we enter the main room, I see mirrors hanging from the ceiling. The mirrors are intensifying the number of roses around the room. Reflection of roses are from floor to ceiling and the suffocating beauty truly is breathtaking.
But something is different as we enter the room. No one is dancing. The people are now standing with champagne flutes in hand, focused eyes on us.
Alleyes are on us.
The music is silenced, and the only noise is the click of my heels and Nick’s cane on the floor as we fully enter the main room. I notice Sasha in the front row of the crowd. She has a glass of champagne in hand and a huge Cheshire grin telling me she’s in on all of this—whateverall of thisis. I also notice Cora standing with her own glass of champagne. When our eyes lock, she gives a slight nod of her head and a smile. I don’t smile back, but I do give a slight nod in acknowledgment to her. There are so many people here, and they are all focused on us rather than the festivities of Wonderland.
I spin around to look at Nick with confusion. I have no idea why everyone is looking at us… waiting.
When I turn, Nick is on one knee, with a ring larger than any ring I’ve ever seen in his hand.
My heart and breathing stops. “Nick?” I gasp.
“I wanted everyone at Wonderland to witness this,” he begins, his eyes locked with mine. “I know I’ve been keeping youlocked away, for my eyes only. Mine. But it’s time for the entire world to know that you’rereallymine. I love you. I fucking love you.” He reaches for my left hand and slides the diamond on my finger. “There is no one I’d rather grow ordinary with other than with you. LyriopeMorelli, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The fact that he emphasized the name Morelli and his very public declaration in front of hundreds of powerful invite-only people is not lost on me. I see what he’s doing. He’s seeing me. He’s allowing everyone to see me. He’s pulling me from the shadows and revealing me in the grandest of ways. The mirrors all around us are reflecting me from every angle.
See me.
They can all see me.
Nick Hudson—the king of madness, the ruler of Wonderland, the host of the crazed—wants to marry me.
Me.
