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Wife.The word sent an electric thrill down my spine.
“Impatient as always,” Vivian teased when we broke apart. Her face was flushed with pleasure and laughter. “We’ll have to work on that. Patience is a virtue.”
“I never claimed to be virtuous, sweetheart. Sinning is more fun.” Another wicked grin. “As you’ll find out tonight.”
Pink blossomed anew across her face and chest.
My grin widened.
I’d never get tired of making her smile and blush.
She was my wife, my partner, my guiding star.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
VIVIAN
“My baby is married. They grow upso fast.” Isabella let out a dramatic sniffle. “I still remember when you were an innocent twenty-two-year-old, navigating the jungle of New—”
“Stop being dramatic. Vivian is a year older than you.” Sloane took a delicate sip of champagne. “Several years, if we’re talking about maturity.”
I swallowed a laugh at Isabella’s offended gasp.
Day had bled into night as the wedding festivities continued. The reception took place in the villa’s massive walled courtyard, beneath a canopy of flowers and twinkling lights.
The guests were still going strong after hours of drinks and dancing, but I’d needed a breather. Being the bride at a wedding reception was a full-time job.Everyonewanted to talk.
“Maturity slander aside,” Isabella said with a pointed stare at Sloane. “I’m glad you and Dante made it work. Now I can crossbridesmaid in Italyoff my bucket list.”
“I’m glad I can make your dreams come true,” I said dryly.
“Me too. All that’s left is finding a hot Italian one-night stand to—” Isabella’s sentence broke off at the light cough behind me.
I turned and stifled another laugh when I saw Kai. He had the worst, or best, timing when it came to my talks with Isabella, depending on how you looked at it.
“I’m sorry to interrupt yet another…fascinating conversation.” His mouth twitched. “But Dante is getting restless without his bride. Vivian, you may want to check in on him. He’s had to tell the story of how he proposed ten times, and I think he’s ready to deck someone.”
I glanced at where Dante stood with a small group of guests, looking bored and irritated. He caught my eye and mouthed,help.
I bit back a smile. “I’ll be right back,” I said. “I need to save my husband.”
Sloane waved me off. “We’ll be fine. Enjoy your wedding night.”
“Congratulations again!” Isabella chirped, studiously avoiding Kai’s eye.
I left them to their conversation and wound my way through the courtyard. I only made it halfway before my mother stopped me.
“Vivian! Have you seen your sister?” she fretted. “She went to the restroom an hour ago but isn’t back yet.”
“No. Maybe she’s in there with Gunnar,” I joked.
“Vivian. Honestly.” Her hands flew to her necklace. “That’s not a joke to make in public.”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Mother. It’s a party. So party.” I handed her a glass of champagne from a nearby tray. “Louis Roederer. Your favorite.”
Our relationship had been getting better since our talk in Eldorra. It wasn’t perfect; like she said, she couldn’t change completely. Her micromanaging had driven me up the wall in the weeks leading up to the wedding, but shewastrying. She hadn’t even argued when I asked the makeup artist for red lipstick instead of neutral, though my mother considered red lips and nails “unbecoming” for a society heiress.
My father, on the other hand, was as distant as ever. He’d left immediately after the ceremony; according to Agnes, he couldn’t stand all the whispers about why he wasn’t the one who gave me away.
