Icarry her over the threshold and every step feels deliberate with the old custom. She's mine now, legally and irrevocably. The weight of her in my arms feels like coming home to something I never knew I was missing.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Valentino," I murmur against her ear.
"Say it again, Mr. Valentino," she says, grinning up at me.
"My lovely wife is finally home."
I carry her directly to our suite, not the white room that caged her, and set her down gently.
The silver dress clings to every curve, but it's in my way now. I turn her slowly, my fingers finding the zipper at the base of her spine. The sound of it lowering is a whisper of silk against skin.
"You were gorgeous today," I tell her, pushing the fabric from her shoulders. "So perfect in every way. Perfect for me."
The dress pools at her feet like liquid moonlight. She turns to face me, standing in delicate white lace that does nothing to hide her from me. But instead of reaching for her immediately, I drop to my knees in front of her.
Her breath catches. "Rafe..."
"Let me worship you properly," I say, my hands sliding up her calves, her thighs. "Let me show you what it means to be cherished by your husband."
I hook my fingers in the lace at her hips, dragging it down slowly, reverently. When she's bare before me, I lean forward and press my mouth to the inside of her thigh, just above her knee. A soft kiss, then another, working my way higher.
"You taste like honey," I murmur against her skin. "Like everything I've ever wanted or desired."
Her fingers tangle in my hair as I reach the apex of her thighs. I look up at her face, flushed with want, her lips parted in anticipation.
"Spread your legs and hold onto me," I command softly.
Then I put my mouth on her.
She cries out, her grip tightening in my hair as I explore her with my tongue, slow and thorough. I take my time, memorizing every sound she makes, every way she responds to my touch. When her legs start to tremble, I support her with one arm, opening her further to me.
"Rafe, please—" she gasps.
"Not yet," I growl against her. "I want to taste you coming apart."
I drink her in, alternating between gentle licks and firm pressure, adding my fingers when she starts to rock against my mouth. She's close, so close, her whole body wound tight.
When she finally breaks, it's with my name on her lips and her nails digging into my scalp. I hold her through it, supporting her weight as she shudders against me.
Before she can fully recover, I stand and lift her, carrying her to our bed. The silk sheets are cool against her heated skin as I lay her down, but I'm not done with her yet.
"Your turn," she says breathlessly, reaching for my shirt.
I catch her hands, pinning them gently above her head. "We have all night," I tell her. "Ladies first."
I strip slowly, letting her watch, letting her see what she does to me. When I'm finally naked, I crawl over her, settling between her thighs.
"I love you, Nikki," I say, positioning myself between her legs. "You’re my queen now. My everything."
She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. "Show me."
I enter her slowly, reverently, both of us gasping at the connection. This time is different from all the others, deeper somehow, more meaningful. We move together in perfect rhythm, building toward something explosive.
When she comes again, I'm right there with her, my release tearing through me with an intensity that leaves me shaking. We collapse together, breathing hard.
"Is this what the rest of my life will be like?” she asks against my neck. “If so, I should have demanded that you marry me sooner.”
“And I gladly would have. All you had to do was ask.”
