Then we were married. I kissed her in front of the judge and Olek and Katrina, claiming her mouth with all the possession and promise I felt. When we broke apart, she was crying.
"Hey," I murmured, wiping away her tears. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she whispered. "Everything. Nothing. I just got married at a courthouse to a man I've known for two months because the alternative was dying. This is insane."
"But you don't regret it."
She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "No. I don't regret it."
I kissed her again, softer this time.
"Good. Because you're stuck with me now."
She laughed through her tears.
"You'll get used to it."
Olek cleared his throat. "We should go. Dmitri will be here soon, and I'd rather have this wrapped up before he arrives."
We headed back to the SUV, Shanice's hand in mine. Damn, she was mine to cherish and love now. I didn’t want to take her back to the house just yet. I wanted to give her something to remember.
“Olek, can you take care of things with Dmitri? I have something that I have to do.” I looked down at Shanice.
“Yeah, it's pretty straight forward. Besides, I need to set him straight about a few things anyway. We can catch a share ride, you take the car.”
I took Shanice’s hand and she smiled.
“What are you up to, husband?”
I smiled, because the word held a lot more meaning now. ‘Husband’.
“I want to show you how much today means to me. Yes, we did it quickly. However, it’s much deeper than that for me.”
“I trust you.”
“Say less.” I helped her get into the car and I set my phone to our first destination.
Shanice
Iwas stuffed, content, and utterly surprised by how perfect this night had been. Mikhail had planned everything. Every detail, every moment of this evening, all focused on making me feel special. And God, it had worked. He’d taken me around town giving me surprises and a night to remember.
Now we sat across from each other at the restaurant, the dinner plates cleared away, and I watched him signal for the check. There was something in his eyes. Something playful and wicked that made my stomach flip.
"What are you up to?" I asked.
"You'll see." He signed the receipt without even looking at it, then stood and offered me his hand. "Come on."
I took it, letting him pull me to my feet. We walked out of the restaurant, and I expected him to lead me to the SUV. He didn't. Instead, we turned in the opposite direction, walking along the sidewalk that bordered the river. The night air was cool, the water reflecting the lights from the buildings across the way.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Nowhere in particular. I just wanted to walk with you." He squeezed my hand. "Is that okay?"
"Yeah. It's perfect."
We walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Then Mikhail said, "Do you know what I think about when I look at you?"
I glanced up at him. "What?"
