Epilogue
One year later
NIKOLAI
The first thing I register is warmth. Soft lips drag along my skin, pulling me from the edge of sleep. A quiet sigh escapes my lips, my body instinctively responding to the wet heat wrapped around my cock.
My eyes blink open, and for a moment, I’m disoriented. The pale morning light filters through the windows of the Greek villa, painting the room in golden hues.
When I look down, I find Sofiya kneeling between my legs, her hair a wild tumble over her shoulders, her lips stretched around my cock, her hands braced against my thighs. She’s a vision, her fluffy white robe slipping off one shoulder, revealing the curve of her collarbone.
“What are you doing?” My voice is hoarse with sleep, but I can’t hold back a groan when she flicks her tongue over my morning wood.
She pulls back, her lips shiny and swollen, a teasing smile curving her mouth. “I couldn’t wait. You said we couldn’t see each other before the wedding, but you didn’t say anything about not touching. So close your eyes and enjoy.”
“It’s the same thing, Sofiya,” I rasp, but I don’t stop her when she sinks back down, her mouth sliding over me again. I groan, my head falling back against the pillow. “You’re a little minx.”
She laughs softly, her hands tracing up my thighs. “It’s been four days, Niko. Four fucking days. I need this, and I need you.”
I do too, to be honest. Fuck this holding-out shit. Technically, we’re already married anyway.
My hand tangles in her hair as her mouth keeps working me. I’m not sure how much longer I can last with how good she’s making me feel. And if I’m going to fuck my wife on our wedding day, I want to make it count.
“Enough,” I growl, tugging her hair gently. When she sits up, I pull her onto my lap. Her robe falls open, revealing smooth skin and curves that I haven’t stopped thinking about. My hands slide up to cup her breasts, my thumbs brushing over her sensitive peaks. “If you’re going to torture me, you’re going to do it properly. With your pussy strangling my cock.”
I position her above my length, her knees bracketing my thighs. “Show me how bad you want this,” I breathe, my voice thick with need. “Bounce on my cock. I want to feel how much you’ve missed me.”
She peels off her robe, her eyes heavy with lust as she lowers herself, inch by damn inch, the tight heat of her cunt making me groan.
“That’s it,” I breathe, gripping her hips when she’s seated to the hilt. “Now move.” I slap her ass so there’s no question what I need her to do.
Her eyes darken, and with a quiet inhale, her hips rise up and slam down. Her hands grip my shoulders for balance as she rides me hard, her breathy moans filling the room.
“Fuck, Sofiya.” I grip her hips, guiding her rhythm as my body arches beneath her. “I want to see your cunt swallowing my cock.”
She knows exactly what to do. She leans back and shifts her weight to her hands, her dark hair cascading down her back. When she opens her legs wider for me, the view is better than the sunrise out the window.
The sight of her like this, on all fours, dripping wet and stuffed with my cock, pushes me close to the edge. I flick her clit just to watch her body jerk in response.
“I’ve been thinking about this for days,” she whispers, breathless. “About how good you feel inside me.”
I reach out and rub a finger across her slippery clit. “Then take what you need, baby. Use my cock however you want to.”
She rides me harder, her movements growing more desperate and erratic. Her moans echo through the room, a symphony of raw need that fuels the fire burning between us.
“Don’t stop,” she begs. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I like her uninhibited and completely mine.
“You’re so fucking beautiful like this. I can’t wait to fill you up with my cum and put a baby inside you.”
Her pussy squeezes me so hard I see stars. I guess she likes that, too. Sensing how close she is, I pull her forward and wrap my palm around her throat, giving her the extra nudge she needs to get there.
She trembles, her body tightening around me as her pussy convulses, milking the cum from my balls. Electricity races down my spine as I spill into her, holding her hips tight against me.
She collapses against my chest, both of us panting, and I press a kiss to her forehead. “You’re going to be the death of me, Sofiya.”
“But you love it,” she murmurs. “You love me.”
“So fucking much that I can’t wait to marry you again.”
Her lips brush my shoulder, and we stay as we are for a while, her warmth soothing every jagged edge inside me.
In a few hours, I’ll marry her again, but this time, it’s not about power or leverage. Marrying her where it all began feels fitting, like we’re closing a circle. Our story has been wild, but it’s ours.
Partnering with the Syndicate wasn’t something I expected, but this time, it’s different. Roman and I aren’t just allies—we’re brothers now.
“Do you know how proud I am of you?” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “What you’ve built, what you’ve accomplished this year.”
The dance school she created is changing lives. Hundreds of young people in need are finding hope through dance, and the first school was such a success that it’s expanding into other regions.
Her sleepy smile feels like sunshine. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You could have,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “But I’m damn glad you chose me.”
I’ll spend my life making sure she knows how much she’s loved and how much she means to me.
She sighs, and I press a kiss to her forehead. “You mean everything to me.”
Her voice trembles with emotion as she says, “Back at you.”
I’ve spent so much of my life hardened by the world, but she’s broken through and filled the emptiness inside me. She’s made me whole in a way I never imagined possible.
Putting a ring on her finger for the second time feels like the start of forever.
SOFIYA
Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, and honestly, I can’t think of a happier day than this.
The DJ switches tracks, and the beat picks up, drawing more people to the makeshift dance floor. Alex and Daria grab my hands and pull me into the center. We move without a care in the world—the moon above us and the sand beneath our feet.
“Seriously, Sofi,” Alex says, breathless as he spins me around. “I’ll never get over the fact that you married your bathroom hook-up. Technically, you still have never had a one-night stand.”
“And I never will!”
“I’m still recovering,” Daria jokes, smoothing her bob into place. “You disappeared, got kidnapped, and came out of it married and happier than I’ve ever seen you. My brain needs a moment to catch up.”
I laugh, holding onto them for balance. “It’s crazy, but we got our happily ever after.”
I’ve come clean to my friends about most parts of Nikolai’s and my story, but I left out the part where they were targets. No need to share that little detail now.
“Look at you,” Alex says. “Dancing on the beach with your besties and family, married to the hottest man alive, and living your best life.”
Daria tilts her head toward Nikolai, standing under the string lights, his suit jacket off, his tie loosened, talking to Roman as he holds my baby niece, Mila. “Seriously, Sofi. My ovaries will never recover after seeing Nikolai hold a baby. What are you waiting for? Get him to knock you up.”
I roll my eyes, but a grin spreads across my face. “Okay, you two are officially banned from ogling my husband.”
“Oh, please,” Alex says, waving me off. “He only has eyes for you. It’s nauseating.”
I glance at my husband again, and he gives me a saucy wink. My heart flips, and the whole world fades away.
In the weirdest of ways, everything has worked out. Alex lives in London, waiting tables, but he’s just landed a role in a major musical. Daria’s in LA just as she dreamed, splitting her time between auditions and working as a dominatrix. It’s unconventional, but it suits her.
“Excuse me, who is that?” Daria’s attention is locked on Eva, who is taking a sensuous sip of her drink at the bar, returning my friend’s interested gaze.
Well, tonight promises to end well. “Eva, Nikolai’s right hand. Go and introduce yourself. She doesn’t bite, but she can kick your ass.”
“Clearly.” Daria smooths down her dress. “I think I will.”
Alex and I watch Daria saunter off, and I elbow him in the ribs. “What about you? Have you met Mr. Right yet?”
He sighs. “I’ve only met Mr. Right Now. But that’s enough for me. Being single allows me time to jet back to Russia and support my bestie when she needs me.”
I laugh as the sand shifts beneath my feet. “Speaking of which, I scheduled you to teach that choreography workshop next month.”
Alex grins and throws an arm around my shoulder. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. What you’ve created is pretty special.” He kisses the side of my head, then excuses himself to get a drink.
Barefoot, I stroll toward Niko and Roman, who’ve been joined by Liza. I pass Pavel and Vadim. From the sounds of it, they’re engaged in some nerdy tech talk, and I smile and wave as I pass them.
Niko sways gently, rocking Mila in his arms. The sight of him, shirt sleeves rolled up, holding an infant like it’s second nature, makes my knees weak.
“Careful, Niko,” I tease. “You’re setting ovaries on fire left and right.”
Liza chuckles, leaning into Roman. “She’s not wrong. That’s a dangerous look.”
Roman raises an eyebrow. “Let’s not inflate his ego. It’s big enough as it is.”
“My turn,” I say, reaching out for my niece. Niko passes Mila to me, and I cradle her closely, inhaling her sweet baby scent. For a moment, she snuggles against me, but then her face scrunches up, and she lets out a wail.
I bounce her gently, murmuring soothing words, but the cries only grow louder. Sighing, I pass her to Roman, who attempts to calm her, but Mila’s not having it. Her little fists flail until Niko takes her back. Almost instantly, she quiets.
“Guess she’s made her choice,” I laugh.
Roman shakes his head, his voice deadpan. “You’re doomed, Zhukov. Better start practicing bedtime stories now.”
Niko looks down at Mila, his lips twitching into a soft smile. “Could be worse fates.” When his eyes meet mine, I know exactly what he’s thinking. Better practice again tonight.
Liza hugs me tightly, her voice warm and emotional. “Your wedding was perfect, Sofi. I’m so proud of you. Of both of you.”
Roman nods, his expression softer than usual. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re stronger for it.”
I think of everything I’ve overcome—the darkness I’ve left behind—and focus on this moment. On my future with Niko. On the life we’re building together.
As I watch my husband cradle my baby niece, my chest swells. When his eyes meet mine, he says so much without speaking.
I love you.
You’re mine.
This is forever.
Life isn’t perfect, but at this moment, I can’t imagine it being any better.
Thank you so much for reading!