Page 66 of Queen’s Gambit

“Ana, it’s okay. After tomorrow, we get to spend every single day together for the rest of our lives.”

“What,” I asked, not able to believe my ears.

“Your father agreed to a contract. I just came from his office. He’s going to announce our engagement tomorrow night at your party.”

“Are you joking? Please tell me this isn’t a dream. I don’t want to wake up a few minutes from now and find it was all a beautiful lie.”

Eddie scooted closer, and I’d never had so much difficulty keeping myself under control. All I wanted to do was jump on him. It was if even my blood vibrated with the effort it took to remain on my cushion.

“I would never joke about this, and if it is a dream then I’m having the same one. We did it, Ana,” Eddie whispered.

The tears spilled out and down my cheeks even as a smile spread across my face. Unable to keep to myself any longer, I cupped Eddie’s face and kissed him, moaning into his mouth as he shuddered and groaned from my touch.

It was like no time had passed as our lips moved in sync, the passion roaring to life inside of me and daring me to take things further. Eddie wrapped his hand around the back of my neck to deepen the kiss, and it was only then that I could feel the matched desperation in him that consumed me daily. His presence was the only thing that had ever quenched the longing in my soul.

Eddie broke the kiss, and I gasped like I was coming up for air in the pool. His forehead touched mine, and I could feel his pulse racing as fast as mine under my fingers.

“I don’t know how much longer I can last without having you. I’d lock the door right now and say to hell with my father’s rules. I’m so tired of being ordered around, of being this perfect princess. I love you, and I want you.”

“God, Ana. You could tempt a saint,” Eddie said, his tone so rough that it sent a shiver racing down my spine.

I glanced down and licked my lips at the sight of the large bulge in his pants, but he grabbed my wrist as I reached for him.

“Please, Ana.” He shook his head. “I am barely holding it together. If you touch me, then I’ll give you what we both desperately want. I would risk taking every bullet the guards have loaded just for a taste, but we only have to wait until tomorrow night. We’ve waited this long. We can last one more night.”

“But he’ll make us wait until our wedding night.”

I knew I sounded whiny, but I didn’t care. I’d been starved for Eddie’s touch, and a wildness was taking hold.

“Once he signs, you’re mine. I plan on consummating the contract immediately. I’m not taking any chances that your father will change his mind. Besides, I plan on marrying you in three weeks.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Three weeks? I don’t know if I can get a whole wedding planned by then.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing that you’ve told me everything you want. I’ve already made all the arrangements.”

“But…you didn’t even know if my father would agree.”

Eddie shrugged. “I plan for what I want and expect it to happen. Marrying you has always been at the top of my list. All you need is a dress. The rest is handled.”

“Eddie, I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say yes.”

Smiling through the tears, I wrapped my arms around his neck, unable to keep away.

“Yes, a million times, yes,” I said against his lips before kissing him with all the love that was brewing inside of me.

Yulianna

Today was the happiest day of my life. Not only because I was officially an adult and would be out from under my father’s control, but Eddie and I were finally starting our life together. I could hardly contain my excitement.

My reflection showed a girl in her prime, but in my heart, I’d already lived a hundred lifetimes. I knew I would marry Eddie from the moment I met him, and I’d dreamed of this day from our first touch.

I still didn’t know what to make of all this. Returning home from Wayward had been agony, and I’d been so sure that my father didn’t care what I wanted. It had felt like I was nothing more to him than a cash cow. Then again, maybe I was. There was no way in hell that I would ever ask Eddie what he had to pay. I’d want to kill my father for sure.

After Eddie left yesterday, I’d expected my father to come up and at least tell me that he’d arranged my marriage. But true to his brand, he acted like he’d done nothing more than broker a deal for one of his horses. I was never included in anything that involved my future. Why would I be when my only purpose was to honor my family and procreate?