Chapter 6
She said: To wed a Greek billionaire, one must expect the most romantic wedding night—-
He said: It was so fucking romantic you couldn’t even make yourself say you love me.
She said: I...I did. I said I...I...I love making love to you?
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T ENSION WAS PALPABLE in Damen’s lean hard body as he carried Mairi all the way up the stairs. She had hurt him. Her heart ached at the knowledge even though deep inside her she knew her choice had been the only choice she could make. Damen cared for her. She could even go as far as saying that Damen had never cared for any other woman as much as he cared for her, but...it was not enough.
Damen was everything to her.
But to him, she was...not.
Even so, Mairi tried to think of something to say that would ease the hurt, but nothing came to mind. Lifting her head and turning to look at her husband, Mairi’s throat clogged at the stoic look on his face. It was as if he was keeping himself from feeling because if he did, he wouldn’t have been able to take it.
The thought distressed Mairi, and she ended up blurting out, “D-do you realize you’re practically carrying me over the threshold?”
Damen stilled halfway to the bedroom. The question had him looking down at his wife, who looked like she wanted to take the words back. He asked gruffly, “Shouldn’t I have?”
That he had to ask made her swallow, and Mairi said tremulously, “It’s not that. I...like it.” That was the most she could allow herself to admit. “But...I never thought this whole traditional groom thing was you, you know?”
Damen only continued to gaze at her, long enough to make Mairi squirm. Had she said the wrong thing? When he finally spoke, she could have expired in relief—-
“Would you rather I just fuck you here?”
—-until she realized what he was suggesting and Mairi laughingly choked out, “No! Drake’s downstairs—-”
His tone cooled. “You’re only giving me another reason to do it.”
“I’m serious.” Her voice and laughter were muffled as she hid her face in the crook of his neck while tightening her arms around his neck.
Her laughter was a sweet sound, and he treasured it because for a very long time, Damen had thought he would never have the ability to make Mairi laugh again. Having reached their room, he balanced his wife in his arms so he could open the door. After kicking it shut, he slowly lowered Mairi to her feet. When she looked up at him, a smile was still playing on her lips.
At that moment, never had a woman looked so beautiful in Damen’s eyes.
It wasn’t because of what she wore or how she looked tonight.
It was that smile.
That smile alone could bring him to life. Mairi was his life, what could be more beautiful than life itself?
Bemused at the way Damen was gazing at her, Mairi asked, “What is it?”
Damen said simply, “I love you.”
Mairi froze.
“I know you don’t believe me now, but I’ll find a way to earn back your love and trust. I did it before, and you know – Mairi, deep inside you know – that the reason you love me so much is because you know I’m the only man for you.”
His hand shaking a little at the effort he was exerting to keep his emotions in check, Damen reached out to caress one pale soft cheek with his knuckles. “I will always be sorry for hurting you – for being so fucking cruel.”
“You’re making me cry,” Mairi whispered almost resentfully. But it wasn’t really the tears she didn’t like. It was how Damen’s words made her forget her promise to herself.
Her words made him smile, but he continued in the same sober tone, “I vow to make it up to you every damn day of my life. Nothing will give me greater joy than to spend the rest of my life lov—-”
Unable to take it anymore, Mairi threw herself at Damen, cutting off the rest of his words by plastering her mouth to his. She didn’t think she could avoid breaking down if he told her he loved her one more time.
For a moment, Damen was stiff and unresponsive. Mairi feared he would resist, but then just as sudden his arms locked around her, his mouth taking control of the kiss, and she could have sobbed as she surrendered complete control to his command. Their kiss was hot, wet, and passionate. It had the most bittersweet taste of desperation, like they only had finite time with each other even if they had just been married.
Damen felt the same thing, and fear and resolve made him break the kiss. Breathing hard, he looked down at Mairi and even though it was clear she wanted him as much as he wanted her, Damen knew it was not enough.
“One day,” he said fiercely, “I will make you believe.” He didn’t give her time to answer. She didn’t need to anyway. Both of them knew where they each stood. She didn’t believe he could ever love her, and he knew she was only with him out of pity.
But for now, none of it mattered.
For now, they were simply Damen and Mairi, and tonight was their wedding night.