He shrugged. “Since the day I brought you back from the bus station. I knew then I wanted to ask you.”
I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
Mom started to cry, my brothers cheered like someone had scored a touchdown, and Dad started piling food on his plate. I stared around at everyone and was only startled back to life when Ruslan slid the ring onto my finger.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked.
Ruslan leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Absolutely. I love you.”
Smiling, I stared down at the ring. “I love you, too.”
EPILOGUE
RUSLAN
I closed my eyes and breathed in the salty air, smiling. It had been a long while since I’d gotten away for a vacation, and this was the first time I’d been lucky enough to bring someone I loved. Two years ago I’d left New York City for a personal trip, and I’d had no choice except to go alone, and while being by myself was fine, having Asa with me was amazing.
Fiji was humid this time of year, but the blue water sparkled and the private beach we’d rented was quiet. The only sound reaching my ears was the light crashing of waves against the golden sand.
“Are you trying to get a tan?” Asa teased from the lounge chair next to mine. The tranquility in his tone had me smiling. We’d been busy since he’d started filming a new TV show after the success of his first role, and he’d quickly become sought after. He was booked for the next two years. With the award season coming up and him being a contender for best actor, everyone wanted a piece of him. I was glad they could see how special he was; although, I hated that I had to share him, too.
“I’m trying to relax,” I murmured without opening my eyes.
He laughed and touched my bare chest, tickling his fingers between my pecs and curling them into the hair. He tugged the strands gently. “Husband....”
I grinned. Now that we were married, he reminded me of the fact every chance he got, and I couldn’t get enough of it. “Yes?”
He dragged his fingertips down my abs, heading toward the waistband of my swimsuit. I finally opened my eyes and looked at him and the mischievous, but also lustful, stare he was giving me.
“Fuck me?” His lounge chair was already so close to mine that they made a bed, and with us both in Speedos, it wouldn’t take much to get naked. I knew for a fact he’d brought lube with him in his backpack, anticipating the private beach and what we would get up to here. The small bungalow we’d rented was the only one around for miles and I paid the price for it, too. With Asa making a name for himself, everyone wanted to take pictures of him, and the paparazzi followed him around like rats searching for food. The privacy was worth every cent.
“Come here and bring the lube,” I ordered, desire curling low in my stomach as I took in his perfect, sinewy muscles. He was a feast for my eyes, and I couldn’t get enough.
Our wedding had been a small affair with his family and our close friends, such as Marcus McKay and Anatoly. We made sure to keep out of the public eye, and when Asa went to work a few days later, he wore the black band as proof of our love. We couldn’t go on a honeymoon until he’d finished shooting, thenfinally, I’d whisked him off to Fiji for our vacation.
He dug in his bag at the side of the lounge chair and brought out the lube bottle like it was a trophy. I couldn’t help but laugh. I crooked my finger at Asa, and he slid over to sit on top of me, his ass fitting perfectly on my already hard cock. I touched his thighs, running my palms over his sun-warmed skin, the light hairs tickling my palms.
He leaned down to kiss me, and I reveled in the taste of the beer he’d had an hour earlier when we’d taken a trip into town for some drinks. His mouth was soft and pliant, and my desire to dominate him took over.
I hardened our kiss and shoved my tongue past his succulent lips, and he moaned, rolling his hips forward and rubbing our cocks together. He dropped the lube beside my hip and grabbed my shoulders, nails digging into my skin.
“You’re so hot,” he groaned into my mouth.
“Not as hot as you.” I grinned and nipped his bottom lip. “Get your swimsuit off. Now.”
“And yours, too?” He lowered his lashes seductively as he slid a hand down my shoulder and across my pecs. His fingers walked a path along my belly, getting lower and lower until he reached the waistband.
I smirked, and even with him astride me, I lifted my hips, relaying my message in a simple action, and he hooked his fingers into my swimsuit, dragging it down my thick thighs. I kicked the thin material off while he jumped to his feet, pulling his own swimwear down so he was left bare for my hungry eyes. His cock was hard and flushed at the tip, and my mouth watered.
I crooked my finger at him again, and he grinned, returning to his previous position on my lap. “Are you going to do the work, kokhanyy? Are you going to ride me?” I growled.
He cocked his head with a cute curl of his mouth. “Kokhanyy? That’s different than the usual kokhana.”
“Very similar.” I caressed his cheek, and he hummed. “Kokhana means lover, like I said before, but kokhanyy means beloved.”
He squinted in thought and his mouth curved as he grabbed the lube. His cock reached upward, thick and ready, and I couldn’t resist wrapping my hand around the base, squeezing. He hissed in response. “I like kokhanyy a lot better. How do you say husband in Ukrainian?”
“Cholovik.” He didn’t repeat it perfectly, but it was cute with his Midwestern accent. It’d been so long since I spoke any real Ukrainian that I wasn’t sure if I even said it as well as someone born in the Ukraine. “I like that best.”
