"Marry me because without you, I'm just a monster. But with you? I'myourmonster. And that's the only thing I've ever wanted to be."
Silence stretched between us, heavy with anticipation. Her eyes were wet, lips trembling, and I could feel her heart racing against my chest.
"Say yes, princess," I murmured, my hand tightening just slightly on her throat. "Say yes and let me spend the rest of my life proving I'm worthy of the gift you're giving me."
Her answer came not in words, but in the way she surged forward, closing the distance between us. Her mouth crashed against mine, desperate, claiming, absolute.
I groaned into her, one hand tangling in her hair while the other stayed at her throat, feeling her pulse race beneath my palm. The kiss was everything we were — tender, possessive, and surrendering, dark and somehow still full of light.
She kissed me like she was branding me, like she was sealing a promise that went deeper than any vows we'd speak. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, nails biting through my skin, and I fucking loved it. Loved that she could be soft and fierce all at once. Loved that she gave as good as she got.
I nipped her bottom lip, drawing it between my teeth until she gasped. Then I soothed it with my tongue, deepening the kiss until we were both breathless, both trembling, both completely lost in each other.
When we finally broke apart, breathing ragged, her eyes opened slowly. They were glazed with tears and desire and something so profound it made my chest ache.
"Yes," she whispered against my lips. "Yes, I'll marry you. I'll be yours in every way that matters. Forever."
The word hit me like a bullet to the chest—painful and perfect.
"Forever," I repeated, sealing it with another kiss, softer this time but no less intense. "You and me, princess. 'Til death."
"And probably after," she murmured with a small, breathless laugh.
I smiled against her mouth—a real smile, the kind I only ever gave her. "Definitely after. I'd find you in hell itself if I had to."
"Good," she said, pulling me back in. "Because I'd be waiting."
“How do you feel about Christmas Day?” I asked her.
“Next year?” She froze.
“No, princess. In two weeks.” I kissed her lips quickly before holding her chin in place so she could see how serious I was.
“You don’t think that’s too soon?” She asked anxiously.
“I’ve known since the first time that I proposed to you that I wanted you. That was seven years ago. The longest delay of my life.” I chuckled.
“You really meant it back then, huh?” she shook her head in disbelief.
“I did.”
“I hoped you had, but I couldn’t rely on potential. I needed it to be real. I’ve always wanted you, Dmitri. I didn’t want to be a temporary thing.” She whispered.
“No, baby. Never. You could never. I would never. It’s always been you.”
Natasha wiped the tears from her eyes. “Then yes. We can get married on the best day of the year.”
I held her tightly, closing my eyes as content filled me. And in that moment, with Maria's threat still looming and danger lurking in every shadow, I made a silent vow that I would protect this woman with my last breath. Anyone who tried to take her from me would learn exactly why they should have stayed away.
Starting with Maria.
Dmitri
The ring was still warm on her finger from where I’d slid it on. Still new. Still shining with the promise I fully intended to keep. She would never be unprotected again.
Never hunted again. Never alone again.
My fiancée.
