I’m too focused on the incandescent archway before us.
Sparklers illuminate our way, our wedding guests forming a dazzling pathway to send us off. Aunts and uncles and cousins I haven’t seen in years, reminding me I have supportive family members who are kind and happy to see me. Plus dozens of local friends and meeting Simon’s family and friends as well.
Simon takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. Our rings reflect the golden glow of the fireworks that form an archway and burst overhead. My diamond winks with new meaning, having gone from fiancée to wife. His golden band gleams, letting everybody know he’s all mine.
The reception was one of the fanciest affairs I’d ever attended. Honestly, I kept having to remind myself it was my wedding. Even though it appeared to be plucked from my wildest dreams. When I asked how Simon got everything so right, he and Luis came all the way clean.
I was still in awe that they’d gone to such lengths for me.
Now it’s time for the honeymoon.
I’m needy and impatient for my brand-new husband, literally counting the seconds.
Simon and I duck our heads and rush through the incandescent archway. My world becomes a blur of laughter, anticipation, and cheers. Along with a sense of contentment, peace, and bliss that comes from deep within.
Simon’s hand tightens around mine as we reach the end. He opens the door to the swanky white limousine and assists me inside like the gentleman he is. I scoot across the bench seat so he can climb inside behind me.
The close of the car door mutes the sounds of celebration outside. I exhale, my pulse still racing.
It suddenly hits me that I haven’t a clue where we’re going. “Wait, I’m a little confused.”
Leather creaks as Simon turns in the seat to face me. I have a stray thought about how we have so much legroom. So much room in general.
Oh, right, he’s waiting for me to expand.
“You own the hotel, right?” I pluck a rose petal out of my hair. I rub it between my fingers, slightly self-conscious about having to spell it out. “That was you, not Luis?”
“Yes, the Rose Hotel belongs to us now.”
I love that he uses us, even though my brain is still struggling to comprehend the idea of all that entails. The ability to buy a luxury hotel on a whim. “As much as I’ve enjoyed visiting my grandma and my mom…”
Heat crawls up my neck and settles in my cheeks. I thought if I talked fast enough, I might be able to prevent my bashfulness.
But nope.
I glance toward the driver’s seat, where nobody currently sits. “I don’t want to spend my wedding night in my childhood bedroom. We’re going to need some space. Extra privacy.”
The petal crumbles apart in my fingers, releasing a burst of its sweet scent. “I don’t want to have to be quiet while we’re…”
I lower my voice and fixate on the flower shrapnel, unable to maintain eye-contact. “Making love.”
His low rumble of a chuckle causes a tingle between my thighs.
“Let’s just get a room at the hotel,” I blurt. “We’ll have Luis circle the block until we can sneak upstairs.”
Simon cups my chin and gently tips my face to his. It only intensifies my desire for him. His lips part, and I’m eagerly awaiting his response when the driver’s side door opens.
Proving my freaking point.
Speaking of the omnipresent bodyguard, Luis gets into the car and adjusts the rearview mirror. “Ready, sir?”
“Ready,” Simon replies. As if he didn’t hear my suggestion and we weren’t in the middle of a conversation about not leaving.
His attention returns to me, the full weight of his green eyes pinning me in place. “I wanted our honeymoon to be extra special. Which is why we’re on our way to the airfield, where we’ll take a private jet to Fiji.”
“Whoa, a tropical island honeymoon,” I say, the surprises that keep coming a delicious rollercoaster I’ll eagerly ride every time. “I’ve never been out of the country.”
Simon taps me on the nose, a move that never fails to give me butterflies. “That’s about to change. I plan to show you the world.”
As thrilled as I am, I still experience the tiniest twinge of disappointment. “How long’s the drive? The flight?”
Simon’s eyebrows draw together. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? What’s going on in that beautiful, incredible head of yours?”
“Exactly what I said earlier, when I suggested a hotel room. I thought we might… have some time to… I can’t wait hours and hours through a flight. I’ll never make it.”
I poke out my lower lip. “I mean, I’m sure I could. I just don’t want to.”
That flips on the lightbulb above his head. His grin is nearly as blinding. “Why, Mrs. Jones? Why didn’t you say so?”
“Um, hello.” I gesture at our surroundings. “We’re already in the car and the hotel’s getting smaller in the rearview. As for saying so, I just did.”
With a low laugh that dances across my nerve endings, he lowers his lips to my neck.
“Don’t worry, my love.” Inclining his body over mine, he paints hot, open-mouth kisses along the column. “We’ll have all the time we need on the drive.”
A gasp escapes my parted lips, the blood in my veins turning molten. But I can’t quite give in, and I barely refrain from pointing at Luis. Unlike my cousin, however, I have manners. “Did you not hear what I said about privacy?”
Simon’s tongue darts out, licking a heady trail across my collarbone. His mouth moves to my ear, his teeth nipping at the shell lightly. “Let me introduce you to one of the perks of marrying a billionaire.”
With the press of a button, a privacy screen rolls up.
“Tinted,” says Simon. “And soundproof.”
“Oh,” I breathe more than say. His fingers are skimming the bodice of my dress, trailing across beads and lace. I’m genuinely surprised I managed to get that much out.
“In fact, I have all sorts of plans for you now that no one’s around to interrupt.”
The heat of his body radiates through the layers of lace and tulle that make up my wedding gown. Alone at long last, I stop worrying and release the last of my inhibitions.
It’s perfect timing.
Because Simon’s plundered layers and layers of fabric to slide his palm up my leg. He watches me with eyes that grow more hooded the higher he gets. Anticipation zings, pressure gathering low in my belly.
His fingers inch higher up the inside of my leg, teasing and testing each reaction.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.