"I know what you need." I positioned myself. "Look at me. Let me see you."
His green eyes met mine. Pupils blown wide. Completely vulnerable. Completely trusting.
I pushed inside slowly. Inch by inch. Watching his face. Watching the pleasure bloom across his expression.
When I was fully seated, we both groaned.
"My husband," I said. The words felt significant. Weighted. "My Stefan."
"Yours." His legs wrapped around my waist. "All yours. Forever."
I started to move. Slow. Deep. Making every thrust count. Making sure Stefan felt exactly how much this meant to me.
"I love you," I said between thrusts. "Love you so much. Can't believe I get to keep you. Can't believe you chose me."
"Always choose you." Stefan's nails dug into my shoulders. "Always."
I changed angles slightly. Hit that spot inside him that made his back arch off the bed.
"There," he gasped. "Right there—"
"I know." I aimed for that spot with every thrust. "I know exactly what you need."
I kept the pace slow. Maddening. Building pleasure gradually instead of rushing toward the end.
My hand wrapped around him. Stroked in time with my thrusts. The dual stimulation made Stefan tremble.
"Matteo—I can't—it's too much—"
"You can. You will." I leaned down to kiss him. "Come for me, husband. Show me how good this feels."
The word—husband—seemed to push him over the edge.
Stefan shattered. His body clenched around me. His release pulsing over my hand. My name on his lips.
The sight and sound of him coming undone destroyed my control. I thrust hard once, twice, and came with his name on my lips.
Collapsed against him. Both of us trembling. Both overwhelmed.
"I love you," Stefan whispered. "So much. Forever."
"Forever," I agreed. "Starting now."
We lay tangled together while our breathing slowed. Both trying to process what we'd just made official.
We were married. Husbands. Partners legally and permanently.
"Thank you," Stefan said quietly.
"For what?"
"For giving me this. For letting me choose. For making me feel like I matter." His voice was thick.
"You gave me the same thing." I held him tighter. "A family. A partner. A reason to be more than just violence and control."
"We saved each other."
"Yeah. We did."
