"Alright, you can open your eyes," he hums, standing behind me, arms wrapped around me.
My eyes take a second to adjust to the light before I take in the scenery in front of me—a cobblestone walkway that leads to an adorable stone bench at the end. The next thing I notice are the rows of rose bushes that frame the path, a mix of mine and my father's favorites. "I know this probably pales in comparison to the rose garden you grew up with but I figured we could start here and make it your own over time."
"It's perfect. Everything about this is perfect." Tears start to form in my eyes as I take in the sheer beauty of the garden. Take in what Declan has made for me. We walk hand in hand down the aisle, stopping every now and then to smell theblossoming roses, until we sit on the bench, Declan pulling me onto his lap.
"This must have taken so long to put together. When did you start?" I ask.
"Right after our meeting in your father's rose garden." He blushes.
"I hated you then. I was still convinced you'd killed my father," I groan, embarrassed at myself.
"I know, but I couldn't get you out of my head. Couldn't shake the feeling that we always belonged to each other." He presses his warm lips to my cheek.
"We brought each other out of the darkness and into the light. What greater life is there than one filled with love?" I ask, cupping his face in my hands.
"To living life. And choosing love," he declares, locking our lips together. I relish his touch, the scent of the roses around us, and the warm, gentle glow of the sun, which shines nearly as bright as the love we have for each other.
EPILOGUE
ZAHRA
"Ican't believe we already have to head back," I groan, looking at the calendar. It’s our final day of the honeymoon, which Declan insisted we take. I initially reassured him I didn't need it, largely because I was afraid of leaving this new era unmonitored back home. But now I was the one whining about our incredible trip coming to an end.
Declan had given me the grand tour of Ireland, castles, hikes, and small towns that looked like they belonged in a snow globe. The best part was how normal I felt on the whole trip. While our security team was present, they'd done an excellent job keeping themselves hidden and out of sight. Our escape from reality was much needed and I couldn’t help but be bummed that things were coming to an end.
"Are you sure you don't want to do any more sightseeing today? We have time to squeeze something in," Declan checks.
"I'm sure. As much as I loved how much we've done these past few days, I need a day to just rot by the pool." The villa Declan brought us to not only has an incredible view of the coast but also a lovely heated pool I’ve been dying to takeadvantage of. "Care to join me?" I toss my cover-up to the side, revealing my bikini that shows way more skin than it covers.
Declan's jaw falls open and I give him a little spin. He looks ready to pounce on me when his phone rings. He shoves it aside, but I shake my head, excited about getting to tease him.
"Arman is calling. You should definitely get that. I'll be waiting for you by the pool." I wink, hearing him grumble, and pick up the phone as I head outside.
Another plus of this villa? It’s incredibly secluded. I'd never felt comfortable enough to be naked at home, but out here I know no one will see me. I slide off my swimsuit and lay down on the pool chair. The warm sun feels incredible on my body. I lose track of how long I lay there, falling in and out of sleep until the sun goes away, causing my nipples to peak at the change in temperature.
My eyes open and I realize it isn't the clouds that had covered the sun, it’s Declan. "How long have you been laying here naked, Zahra?" Declan growls, crawling on top of my body and immediately toying with my hard nipple.
"Since you've been on the phone. What took you so long?" I moan, arching my back into his touch as he takes my breast into his hand and squeezes it gently.
"Azula and Aidan got in a fight again. He wanted to let me know how I should handle it, and you know, he's terrified of her, so any solution that involved confronting Azula was a no-go for him. I should have just let the damn call go to voicemail or better yet tossed my phone in the fucking pool."
"That sounds like a waste—oh yes, Declan, please." I grip his shoulders hard as he uses his thumb to toy with my clit.
"Does that feel good, love?" He slides two fingers inside me, drawing a loud moan in response from my lips. "Fuck we should move this inside, someone might see."
Despite his words, Declan continues to work his fingersinside me at a torturous pace. He angles his fingers so they rub against my G-spot with each stroke, all while he gives my clit the perfect amount of pressure and attention it needs.
"No one else lives out here," I remind him, wrapping my hand around his wrist. "Now fuck me like you mean it," I beg, tired of his slow, methodical pace.
"We don't have any neighbors, but the security we hired may hear us." Declan speeds up his pace. The warning should encourage me to stop, but instead, more wetness pools down my thighs at the thought of someone watching us come together. "Jesus, Zahra, you're soaking my hand even more now. Is that what you're into, love? Having someone watch us while I turn you into a sobbing mess filled with my cum?" Declan asks, sounding proud of me.
The more time we're together, the more I feel confident in my sexuality and in speaking up for what I need. I never thought I'd be a kinky person but Declan makes me feel so safe and respected, which draws out so many different sides of me. "I've never really thought I'd be into being watched, but now that I'm thinking of it...It makes me really, really hot," I confess, bucking my hips to match Declan's relentless pace. He pinches my clit just how I like it, and before I know it, my core clenches, and I come all over his fingers.
"My beautiful wife, you look so good coming on my fingers," he moans, licking my wetness off his skin. He moves his hands up and down my legs, massaging my thighs. "I could take you to a club if you're interested. Completely anonymous," he offers.
"A club?" I ask, having a strong feeling he didn't mean the normal clubs you can go to.
"A sex club. We could fuck each other while everyone else watches. If that sounds like something you would want to do?"
