Chapter 26
Liam
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful things in my life. Until tonight, the most beautiful was the sunrise over the Donegal cliffs. But as I carry Lexie across the threshold of her apartment, I realize I’ve been blind my entire life.
In her wedding dress, she is the second most beautiful.
It suits her. A long, flowing fairytale-esque gown in a pale blue that makes the soft red of her hair like a living flame. The color is perfect, bringing out the warmth in her skin and complementing the colors of her bouquet—my brilliant, wicked idea for her to craft them without knowing.
I’d made my own adjustments to the dress. Subtle Celtic knots woven along the hem, a silent tie to a heritage she’s now bound to. The veil of the finest Irish lace frames her face, making her seem like something forged from starlight and ancient earth.
But as I kick the apartment door shut behind us, I know the first, most beautiful sight will be her, gloriously naked, as I take each of those pieces off, one by one.
“Oh, Liam, it’s beautiful!” she gushes.
And it is. Not merely clean and tidy, but transformed.
Soft golden fairy lights turn her little apartment into something warm—like we’ve stepped into a private constellation formed just for us.
Along one wall, delicate strands of lights cradle clipped photographs from the past few weeks—her laughing in the kitchen with flour on her cheek from her attempt at soda bread; her asleep against my chest; her working in the floral shop.
Between the long hours, I must have taken enough pictures to fill a gallery, soaking in our small time together.
We will make up for those hours in ways she can’t imagine. Another surprise. Another time.
I set her down near the side table, where a frame of our vows rests, our signatures at the bottom.
“Alexa,” I announce with a twisted smirk, remembering the first time she nearly kidnapped me with handcuffs. “Play our honeymoon playlist.”
Sleep Token’s Provider spills into the room, low and reverent, like a hymn meant only for us. One hand flies to her mouth, the other knocks against mine, clinking the cuffs.
Pink anemones and white rose petals scatter along the floor. I commissioned a candle maker, giving them the soft vanilla-and-floral perfume she wears when she thinks I won’t notice. I always notice.
The bedroom door stands slightly ajar, revealing crisp white sheets, a plush throw at the foot of the bed, and champagne chilling in a silver bucket beside a plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries.
The smile lighting up her face is worth a thousand sunrises. A thousand lifetimes.
Her cheeks flush a deep, lovely pink, excitement and nerves dancing together in her expression.
“Liam,” she whimpers, my name a prayer and a surrender.
She surges forward. Her hands are everywhere—yanking at my tie, dragging my jacket from my shoulders, fingers fumbling at my buttons with a desperation that makes a laugh tear from my chest. It takes a bit of doing, but she finally unveils all my tattooed, chiseled muscles.
And we only crack our handcuff-fasting a wee bit.
“Easy now, Darlin.” I set a hand at the small of her back. “We’ve got all the time in the world, so we do.”
And tonight, I intend to prove it.
Shirtless now, I bring her to the kitchen table, where I’ll remind her exactly who is in charge. Her mouth falls open as I set her down on the wood, but she doesn’t pull away. Then, she beams, looking like an angel in the middle of a storm.
By morning, the kitchen will be covered in the scents of home. Everything is prepared for a gourmet brunch, a repeat of our first dinner together. And more. We’ll share tea and discuss our dreams—dreams I may fulfill for her, for us both.
I dive for her mouth, kissing her so hard and fierce, it leaves us both panting. “By the time I’m finished with ye, Lexie…you’ll be famished. And I’ll be spoiled.” I wink.
I don’t give her a chance to respond. I sweep her back into my arms, the blue silk of her dress rustling against my suit pants, and move toward the far wall of the living room.
“Liam, what are you—”
I give her arse a light, sharp slap. “It’s ‘Sir’ to you now, Luv.”
She squeaks, her face turning a magnificent shade of crimson, but she doesn’t fight me as I set her down by the old, cold radiator. Grinning wickedly, I reach into my pocket and pull out another handcuff I’d had in my pants, prepping for this moment.
I unlock it with a sharp clack and cuff one side to her other wrist and the other to the radiator pipe.
Lexie’s jaw drops. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
I wag my finger and click my tongue. “Such a naughty girl, Darlin’. I believe some…punishment is due for all the times you’ve sassed me and tempted me these weeks. Now…” I take the new throw pillow from the sofa and place it on the floor beneath her. “Kneel,” I command.
Lexie is quick to please tonight. I help her with the dress until it’s gathered where I need it to be. I tilt my head, taking her in—pink cheeks, red-gold hair, the rise and fall of her chest with excitement and feigned outrage. Fuck, she undoes my soul.
“Belt or the book, Darlin’?”
Lexie deadpans with me for a second before her lips part, and she taps the radiator three times. Both.
Heat rushes to my groin, adrenaline humming in my veins.
“Aye.” I turn to the nearby shelf where I’d hidden my chosen weapon. “I thought ye might say that.”
I select a unique book this time, one I’d found in a small used book shop near my newly- renovated penthouse. I hold it up so she can see the title.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Faith, Hope and Miracles.
Lexie lifts a brow, pure, sweet confusion on her face. “Chicken Soup? Liam, really?”
“Ye be my miracle, Lexie. But more than that…you are my heart and soul. And that…”
I drop to my knees before her and cup her face, my thumbs dragging over those high cheekbones.
“…is your ultimate trope, Darlin’. Soulmates.”
We both share a smile as she nods. “I know it’s corny, Liam, but—”
“No buts, Luv.” I cut her off with a kiss.
It tastes of promise and forever. I pause above her lips.
“I’ve spent me whole life buildin’ walls.
I’ve spent me whole life protectin’ a crown I never truly wanted.
But you? You’re the only one who makes me want to burn it all down just to see the way the fire reflects in your eyes. ”
Her body melts before me. “You have burned it down, Liam. And I couldn’t be more proud or more honored to be your wife.”
Fuck. Electric heat warms my body. I scrub a hand down my face, incredulous at how she still manages to ignite my soul. She leans toward me, trying to claim a kiss, but I pull back. Because if she touches me, I might just come in my pants.
“You think I’m a hero because I saved ye from Brett, from Darragh?” My brogue thickens, darkens. “Darlin’, I’d kill a thousand men and walk through Hell twice just to hear ye speak my name one more time. You’re not my salvation. You’re my reason.”
With her presence sealing the oath into my bones, I vow, “Before I give you my virginity, Elexia Carter…I’m going to give that lovely arse a proper spanking.”