“I know,” he says.
I punch his shoulder and scoot away, then stick my tongue out at him. He leans toward me, likely to order me back or say something dirty and inappropriate when his cousin and boss, Nikola walks in and sits between us, spreads out his arm, and pulls me into him. Feeling awkward, I clear my throat, glancing at Ludi, who glares.
“Fuck off to the other sofa,” he says to Nikola.
Nikola laughs and moves to the sofa, dark, almost black, eyes on me. “When’s the wedding?”
Ludi’s aunts, cousins, and more men drift in from different places in the mansion, and suddenly, the living room is packed with people all expecting the date we never set, mainly because we already got married and told nobody. We didn’t wear our bands, so people wouldn’t know. Ludi is a private person, and I respect that and don’t mind the secrets. When we eloped, it felt a bit naughty and dirty and everything I’d never dare to do on my own.
Cool as a cucumber, Ludi kicks up his feet on the glass table and switches on the NFL.
Ivana snorts, and my dad shakes his head, a strange glint in his eye.
Nikola rolls his eyes, then groans as he gets up. “We gonna eat or what?”
People move into the dining room that holds three large round tables, and I stand to follow, but Ludi grabs my hand and pulls, landing me in his lap. I blush profusely as my dad walks by, grumbling.
Ludi’s gaze follows Dad, and finally, we’re alone. “He wanted to come, you know,” Ludi says. “He just needed an excuse.”
“How did you get him to come?”
Ludi shrugs. “Don’t know. I sent Ivana after him.”
“Your sister seems…nice.”
Ludi smirks and brushes a thumb over my lips. “She’ll look out for you. That’s all that matters.”
I bite my lip. “She asked about babies.”
“And?” Ludi sneaks a hand under my dress.
“And I told her…” He strokes my wet folds, making my mind draw blanks. “I can’t remember what I said.”
He pushes a finger inside me, and I gasp. Ludi bites my lower lip, then kisses it, and I’m opening my mouth to receive him when Nikola hollers for us.
Ludi leaps up, taking me with him. We move through the large home and enter the dining room, which seats at least fifty people. White flowers decorate one large round table, and as I look around, I get the impression this isn’t a usual Thanksgiving dinner.
Ludi pulls out a blue velvet box and opens it. There’s only one ring inside. I glance at his wedding finger and just now notice a band. I take my ring and slip it on.
“I may now kiss the bride,” Ludi says and kisses me.
Our family cheers, and I laugh because leave it to Ludi to come up with something unexpected and crazy. Life with him will be a thrill ride. He’s everything I looked for in a man and more than I could imagine. Smart, funny, sexy, unexpected, and dangerously right for me.
***
