Page 94 of The Russian's Bought Bride

I snort softly as I start the engine. “You’re only realizing this now?”

“No, but I’ve accepted it. That’s definitely progress.”

A laugh slips out before I can stop it, and she smiles at the sound, settling in as if she has always belonged here with me.

The drive home is quiet in the best way. The Strip is alive with movement and light while soft music hums low through the establishments, and I find myself resenting those oblivious people a little less.

Dani leans her head back against the seat, looking content in a way I still don’t think I’ll ever fully get used to seeing. She’s safe, happy, and more alive than ever.

I almost lost her, and the thought still hits unexpectedly sometimes, sharp enough to ache before relief rushes back in right behind it.

Never again. I swore that to myself and to her, and I mean to keep that promise for as long as I live.

When we finally reach the penthouse, neither of us rushes to move immediately after walking inside. Instead, we move with languid ease while falling into a more typical routine.

In comfortable silence, Dani slips off her heels near the entryway with a quiet groan of relief. “Foot pain is the real reason women become dangerous.”

Instinctively, I want to chuckle at the comment, but I pause instead and watch her for a second too long.

Caught up in her black dress, the way her hair is slightly mussed from the evening, and warmth still lingers in her expression from dinner with my family, all I can do is stare and think about how lucky I am. Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to cover it.

She eventually notices my focus on her while she works her earrings out. “What?”

I move toward her slowly, reaching out to carefully hold her waist. “You looked beautiful tonight.”

Dani’s expression softens immediately, and something shy still moves briefly across her face before she regains her footing. “You clean up well, too, Lukov.”

I hum quietly before pulling her gently against me, and the second her body settles against mine, we both relax completely. Tilting her chin upward carefully and kissing her before I can overthink it, I keep it intentionally slow and deep to savor her.

She melts into it immediately, hands sliding up my chest while mine settle against her waist possessively.

Weeks ago, I held her because I was terrified of losing her, and now, I’m holding her like I genuinely cannot imagine my life without her in it anymore. It’s true, and the realization settles fully into place in my chest.

Before I can stop myself, the words leave my mouth and brush against her lips. “Marry me.”

Dani freezes, and I barely register that I’ve said it until I see her staring at me in stunned silence.

Too late now.

A startled laugh escapes her softly, more like she assumes I’ve said it by accident. “Nikolai—”

“I’m serious.”

The amusement fades from her expression instantly at whatever she sees on my face, because I am serious. Terrifyingly so.

Cupping her jaw gently, my thumb brushes along her cheek while my heart pounds harder than it has in years, feelingcapable of standing beneath the pressure I’ve just placed on myself. “I know this isn’t normal, and I know none of this happened the way it should’ve, but I love you.”

The words feel too small for the truth of it, but I continue anyway.

“I love waking up beside you, hearing you laugh in my kitchen, and I love watching you hold your own against my family, even when they overwhelm you. I spent most of my life believing I was too damaged for this,” I admit roughly, forcing it out of me. “But then you happened anyway, and I won’t let myself take that for granted.”

Her eyes soften painfully, and even if she doesn’t speak yet, I can feel and see the depth in them.

Silence stretches between us, heavy with feeling, then I exhale shakily through my nose before resting my forehead lightly against hers. “I don’t care how complicated this is. I want you with me, permanently.”

For one terrifying second, she says nothing. Then her fingers slide into my hair gently before brushing down to the nape of my neck, and she smiles. It’s so soft and beautiful on her, and it’s enough to take my breath away.

“Yes.”