As the silver skirt swooshed around my feet and the jewels jingled around my ankles, my wrists, and my chest, I took a deep breath. Holy shit, I was actually marrying him.

  Remember, it's not real. The sooner you realize that and you accept that, the easier this will be for you when the time to part comes. You are going to try a relationship, but be realistic. This is a business transaction, not a real wedding. Get that inside your head.

  For the love of God. I just had to remember that. This was the Mende and the sari's fault. If things didn’t work out, I would be okay. I could go back to my life… before Bridge.

  Once I was dressed and I looked like a bride, it was hard for me to pretend I didn't feel like a princess. Hard to pretend this wasn't real for me.

  At about ten minutes till show time, there was a knock on my door. I thought it was probably Livy or Nyla coming to tell me it was time to shake a leg, but when I opened it, it was East. I gave him a wide smile, opened the door, then he gasped and took a step back. "My God, Emma, you look fantastic. Completely stunning."

  I gave him a soft smile. "Thank you. I figured, even if this wasn't real, I should at least, you know, make the attempt."

  He laughed. "Who said it's not real? It's as real as you want it to be. And I promise you, if it wasn't real before, the moment he sees you in this, it's going to be very, very, very real."

  "Aww, stop. I feel like a whole other person."

  He hesitated. "Okay. Are you sure you didn't want us to have your Mum here?"

  "No, this is better. She's got herself settled there and she’s old. It didn't make sense for her to come back and then go back again. So it’s fine."

  He nodded. "Well, I know that this whole thing is weird. And I know that traditionally, it would be your father who walks you down the aisle. But since yours is a twat, I was thinking maybe you'd let me do the honors."

  The simple words I hadn't expected sent a wash of tears to my eyes that I had to rapidly blink away or they'd ruin the heavy mascara and the dark liner I was wearing. "What?"

  "Yeah, you know, the whole wedding thing… Walk you down the aisle?"

  I sniffled and kept blinking in the hopes that this teary madness would stop. I was going to ruin my makeup, and then I would look like a dying raccoon.

  "Aw, don't cry, Ems. Had things been different, this would have been Toby's job. And since Ben is officiating, give me something to do, please."

  My lip trembled. "I-I don't know what to say."

  He grinned and proffered his arm. "Good thing for you, you don't have to say anything. Just take my arm and let's do this. You’ll be fine, Ems. We’re all here for you."

  I took hold of my bouquet and East helped me adjust my veil.

  "Like I said, if it's not real now, it will be as soon as he sees you."

  All I could manage was a trepidatious smile because if not, I was going to bust a leak. And while I had seen many an Indian bride crying on her way to the altar, I did not want to be that girl. I was strong. I could do this.

  As East led me down the hallway on the third floor at Ben and Livy's ridiculous mansion, he stopped at the elevator. "Oh, come on, I'm not chancing you tripping on your sari."

  I laughed. "I'm not that clumsy."

  "No, you're not, actually. You're stunning and beautiful and elegant, but I want you to make your entrance "

  I snorted a laugh. And just like that, East had helped the tears dissipate. By the time the elevator landed on the main floor and we stepped out, I was feeling calmer. Happier. Ready. And as we walked down that long hallway and then made the turn toward what could have been an exceptionally large dining room or a very small ballroom, East stopped. "Are you ready?"

  I nodded. I didn't know how it happened, but magically, the doors opened and my breath caught once again. Nyla and Livy and Telly had been exceptionally busy. The room looked like an explosion of white gardenias and roses everywhere. The seats inside were covered with white fabric and tied with silver and white bows. Everything was perfect. It was elegant and majestic, and I couldn’t have asked for more. And there were people of course. Not a lot, but enough to make me realize this was actually happening.

  I recognized them as I stepped forward. Team Winston Isles also had shown up. There was King Sebastian and his wife, Queen Penny; Ben's cousin Roone and his wife Jessa; Sebastian's cousin, Prince Tristan and his wife, Ariel, who was also Penny's best friend. Everybody was there except prince Lucas and his wife Bryna, as they were on an extended honeymoon. What were they all doing here?

  I'd met them off and on through our various adventures over the past year. And I liked everyone enormously, but I hadn't asked them to come. I thought this was just perfunctory. Fredericka was also there with her daughter and her nephew. There were a couple of people I didn't recognize. They looked perhaps a little shabby in a suit. Slightly rumpled.

  I turned to East as he said, "Well, just because we said small and unassuming didn't mean we weren't going to go all out. Jesus, most of us thought Bridge was never getting married. This is all for him really."

  I grinned up at him. "Thank you."

  And as I turned back to look down the aisle, there was Bridge in his dark, perfectly tailored, black Marc Jacobs tuxedo. Dark curly hair pushed mostly off his face, with a stray curl or two trying to flop onto his forehead. He was perfectly clean-shaven, making him look so much younger, which was probably why he wore stubble most of the time to look older and more menacing. He'd been looking at the floor, but then Ben elbowed him. He glanced up, and his eyes went wide.

  Ave Maria started to play, and East led me on our first step. I almost wanted to run. But instead of running away, I wanted to run straight into Bridge's arms. How whacked out was that?

  Only a little. Look at him, he's beautiful. And for a whole year, he's going to be yours.

  I couldn't think about what would happen beyond that year. What I needed to do was grab on to this time with both hands and live it to the fullest. No regrets. East looked down at me. "You're beautiful. Come on, keep moving."

  "Thank you again."

  "Of course. Now, let's get you married to your miserable fiancé before he comes down here, throws you over his shoulder, and carries you down the aisle himself."

  "That is so Bridge."

  East chuckled as we started to walk. "Isn't that just?"

  Emma

  This was not a drill.

  The look on Bridge's face, told me that he 100% meant business. And teasing him wasn't going to work out well for me.

  I shoved against him, and he stumbled back. The look on his face was nearly feral and he snarled at me. "Emma, it’s time to stop fucking about."

  "I'm not fucking about Bridge. I don't want to talk right now."

  His brow lifted. I took a step back, and he took a step forward. "You're going to need to be explicit here, Ems. If you don't want to talk, what do you want?"

  "I thought I was already really clear. I want you to fuck me."

  And damn him, the way his lips twisted into a smirk was more than I could handle. He was all fire and sin and lightning energy. "Ems, do you know what you're asking for?"

  "Yes, I do."

  "I get the impression you want to run."

  I smirked. "Maybe you should get the impression that I want you to chase me."

  His brows lifted. And then he gave me a full-blown grin. The smile of Bridge completely unencumbered. One who was having fun. I knew if I was going to play this game, I needed to be ready to run. And I was.

  I grinned back at him, but I was already turning to run. I bolted down the hall. When his thick forearm wrapped around my waist and he brought me up against his hard body, I sighed, my legs going melty and heat pooling between my thighs. When he braced me up against the wall, all I could do was pant. "That's not fair. You didn't let me get very far."

  "You've already been teasing me too long, Emma."

  "I was barely even teasing you."

  "Oh yeah?” I could feel the thick length of his erection against my ass and my lower back, and I moaned, dropping my forehead to the wall. "Would you just do it."

  He laughed. "Do what?"

  "Hurry up and fuck me already, Bridge."

  He loosened his arm around my waist, and I started to turn but he stopped me with a firm hand on my hip. His other hand grabbed both of mine and lifted them above my head. I tested the strength of his grip and found out that his body was just as powerful as I had always thought it was. I wasn't getting out of this until he was ready to let me go.

  "Tsk, tsk. Stop struggling. I don't want to hurt you. Unless you're telling me to stop. And then we’ll stop."

  I groaned. "So what, you'll just walk away?"

  He leaned in close against my ear. "Yes. I’ll walk away from this interaction, but not away from you. I meant what I said. You and I we're, trying to make a go of this marriage however we started it. So if you don't want me now, that's okay, I can wait."

  His whispers were harsh against the shell of my ear, and I shivered. He knew I wanted him, but he was willing to walk away if it wasn't what I wanted.

  "Yes, Bridge, I'm saying yes."

  "Yes to me, or yes to a quick fuck in the hallway?"

  He knew, but he was going to make me say it. "Yes to both. I want everything."

  "That's my girl."

  And then I felt the sharp smack of his hand on my ass.

  "Ow!”

  "That's for making me beg.” But then gently he soothed the gentle hurt. And to my horror, I was wet. So goddam wet.

  “Oh God. I think I like it."

  "You want me to spank you, Ems? Is that what you're asking?"

  My voice wavered. "I don't know. I’ve never done it before—"

  Another smack on the other cheek, and I shuddered. "Fuck, Bridge."

  "Open your legs for me, Em."

  I did it as I was told.

  "Now tilt your ass up nice and pretty for me."

  When I complied, he rewarded me with two additional smacks.

  I was shivering, rolling my head back and forth on the wall. I knew I was in good hands. Problem was, I couldn't touch him, and I wasn't sure I liked that.

  When another smack landed on my ass, I moaned. "Oh… my… God.” It was like every smack was a direct line to my clit.

  He released my hands then. And the next thing I knew his hands were quickly removing my wedding sari.

  There was no patience, no slow seduction. He was going to give me what I wanted, which was rough and fast like our first time. The first time I knew exactly what it was like to be owned by someone. Body and soul. Bridge was the kind of lover you read about in books. Possessive and domineering, but sometimes so gentle it made you ache.

  When instructed, I lifted my legs out of the scrap of my lace panties. His hands gently smoothed over my cheeks.

  "I didn't think I'd be able to see the red on your skin, but you redden so prettily.”

  I swallowed hard. "Bridge?"

  He hushed me softly, his hands gentle now. "I don't want to hurt you, Ems.

  Something about the way his voice broke told me this wasn't about the spanking. This was about something more.

  "Then don't."

  He leaned forward, kissing the nape of my neck, and I could feel him nodding. "I'll do my best not to."

  And as his hand smoothed over my abs, a finger dipped down into my cleft, making me weak. "Oh my God. Bridge. I need—"

  His chuckle was pure cockiness. "I know what you need. But I'm going to need something first." And then he was kneeling behind me.

  "Bridge? What do—"

  What I'd expected was the hard ridge of his erection. Claiming me, possessing me.

  What I hadn't expected, was the soft caress of his tongue, firm but insistent. His hands grabbed onto my ass, held me in position, and then he dove in. Lapping at me, holding me open for him. Leaving no fold unexplored. When he started to hum over my clit, that was when the shaking started. I broke apart, screaming his name.

  "Oh my God. Bridge. Bridge. Bridge.” If I was being honest, I had no idea what I was saying. Nonsensical ranting and raving and begging. I knew there was begging involved. But he was unrelenting. Completely focused on his task.

  The second orgasm was almost punishing because I hadn't been allowed any rest, and my knees buckled. But his hands, God, his hands held me right where he wanted, and he didn't stop. It was going to be death by orgasm. Which I felt like I was here for, but in practice… wow. I knew I would be a puddle on the floor in moments. But I didn't fully lose it until his tongue snaked from my center to that tight patch of skin just beyond and then licked over my ass. I gasped so loudly. "Bridge, oh my God."

  "Hold tight, I'm still eating."

  "Oh God, Bridge, you can't—"

  "Never interrupt a man when he's eating, love.”

  And holy hell, was he eating. He didn't stop. I was completely bare and open to him, and he was making sure that he left no part of me unexplored. Every part of me was his to own, his to claim, his to devour. With the third orgasm, I really lost full control of my legs. I just couldn't stand anymore. I started to slide down to the floor, and he let me until I was on my hands and knees trying to crawl away. But he stopped me. "Where the fuck are you going?" He growled.

  "I need a minute.

  "We're not done."

  And even as I slid down until I was face-planted on the floor with my ass only a little lifted, he still lapped at me, still licking all of me, tongue penetrating someplace I never knew a tongue was supposed to go.

  And I was going to lose my mind. Fuck.

  "You taste so fucking good. All of you. You taste incredible.

  "Bridge, I don't think I can."

  "Oh you can."

  My face was buried on my forearms, and I had no other choice but to enjoy the ride. Because Bridge was going to town. And I had a feeling that he intended for me to be here a long while.

  When his fingers joined the party, I automatically lifted my hips, seeking contact.

  "Yes, that's it.” As his tongue licked my pucker, he slid two fingers inside my slick channel and gently pumped.

  More nonsensical words. More moaning. More begging.

  But then I hit this almost nirvana moment where the bliss just kept rolling through me.

  Behind me, all I heard was his satisfied moan and grunt. I'd never heard him like this. I'd never seen him like this. And all I could do was submit. All I could do was just let it happen. This was like a dance where he led and I followed and enjoyed every goddamn moment.

  And holy hell, it was incredible.

  When he separated from me. I could feel the cool air on my skin, and I gasped. "Bridge, oh my God. What have you done to me?"

  He chuckled then. "What I've done is shown you exactly what I should have done our first time. But I was impatient and a complete twat. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that. I shouldn't have done anything other than eat you that day. And I'm probably going to spend the rest of the year making up for that."

  "Oh. Well, I wholeheartedly encourage you making up for it. After all how dare you." I meant to be sassy, but honestly, I think I was just mumbling.

  "Excellent. Put me in my place." I could hear him removing his clothing, the zipper, the buttons on his tuxedo pants. I could feel him shifting behind me.

  His whole big body enveloped mine as he leaned over me. Strong arms bracketed next to mine. I could feel the length of him notched against me, and I gasped. "God, you're so big. Why are you so big?"

  "Fuck, why do you know exactly what to say to me?"

  He rocked his hips once, twice, and I rocked mine back toward him. And when he slid home easily, he hissed and I moaned. And we stayed like that for several seconds. Both of us too afraid to move, to break that connection.

  I could feel his forehead drop to the back of my neck. "Fuck, Emma. That's so good. Why is it so good? It always feels so good with you."

  I meant to be sassy. I did. I wasn't trying to be emotional. But what came out was, "It's because you love me."

  He stilled, the thick length of him pulsing inside me. I felt so full. I could feel every inch of him. And then he whispered against my neck. "You're right. You're absolutely right.”

  And then he started to move. In this position, I could feel every inch of him. He was so deep. I felt so full and so tight, like I was going to burst. But he was taking his time. That extra orgasm he seemed to want, he was content to take his time giving it to me. I could feel him all over my skin, his legs on the outside of mine, our toes semi-intertwined as we moved together.

  His abs moving along my back. The kisses and nips along my neck and my shoulders. Whispering dirty things to me about how I was so fucking tight. Asking me if I liked it. And all I could do was mutter something along the line of, "Umph."

  And then he started to whisper. "This is mine. Always mine. Don't you forget it.”

  I was the idiot who was agreeing with him. "Yes, yours. Only yours.”

  Because that seemed like the thing you did when you wanted someone to keep going. You would promise them anything. Anyone who argued that idea was lying. Because look, he could have asked for my life right then and I would've given it to him and said ‘Gladly here you go. Just please God don't stop.’

  I could feel the pressure building. But in my position, I couldn't make him go faster, deeper, anything.

  Sensing my frustration, he eased back slightly. "Rise up on your knees, love."

  I groaned. "I don't know if I can move."

  "Oh, you can move. All you have to do is raise up on your knees but widen them. And then you can still lay flat. Like a butterfly."

  Understanding what he meant, recognizing the yoga pose, I did what he said. And oh my God.

  That opened me right up. And then he was on his knees right behind me. Slide, retreat. Slide, retreat. His pace was even but not quickening. And then I pushed up onto my forearms, and he cursed under his breath, grabbing my ass with both hands and giving me a gentle smack. But he picked up the pace. "You're a naughty girl. You want me to lose control?"