Page 220 of Cashmere Ruin

Out in the garden, I take in the villa in all its glory. It’s gigantic—I can’t even begin to imagine how much it cost to reserve it for one night. But we wanted our guests to have the best time without having to worry about getting home safe in the middle of the night, and this seemed like the ideal way to go.

It also meant we wouldn’t have to wait for our wedding night.

God, I can’t believe I’m so nervous. Matvey’s seen all there is to see—surely there’s no point getting shy now?

And yet, the butterflies won’t stop butterflying.

It doesn’t help that Matvey’s never looked this handsome before. It’s unfair, honestly:Ishould’ve seen all there was to see, too. Where did this glow-up come from? And how is it even possible in the first place? He was already the hottest guy I’d ever seen!

Like I said: unfair.

We’ve danced half the night away already, our hands roaming in all the appropriate ways. Now, nursing a drink as my husband—hus-band;nope, still weird—entertains his guests, I’m thinking of all the other ways. The not-so-appropriate ways.

Maybe another hour?I chew on my bottom lip, throwing cautious glances around the room.Maybe until the guests go to sleep? Or until Petra drags Yuri into the bushes?

Luckily, I don’t have to wonder for long. “Come with me.”

I almost jump at the sudden voice behind my ear. “Where?”

“I don’t care,” Matvey growls. “But if you’re not somewhere else in the next fifty seconds, I’m going to take you right here, right now, in front of every single guest.”

I swallow. He’s definitely capable of doing that. “B-But the wedding?—”

“We’ve had our wedding. Now, come be my wife.”

Wife.Goddammit, he just had to play that card. It sounds way too hot coming out of his mouth—how in the hell am I going to say no?

Then don’t say it.

That’s right. This is our night. If we don’t make the rules, who will?

“Fine,” I drawl. “But ifyou’renot in our room in the next fifty seconds, I’m starting without you.”

I can feel his gaze on me, hot and molten. I feel it every step of the way as I glide out of the garden. The villa interior greets me in marble and gold, a place fit for royalty.

Isn’t that what you are now?the voice inside me whispers.A crowned queen?

If I am, then my king better not keep me waiting.

I stride towards our suite, my dress trailing after me like a carpet of flowers. Maybe the champagne’s gone to my head, but I’ve never felt more powerful. More in control. Like I could take on the world and everyone in it.

And then, just as I’m about to step inside, my feet are swept out from under me. “Matvey!” I protest.

“You didn’t think I was going to let you cross that threshold on your own, did you?”

“Yes? No? I don’t know. I was having a cool moment.”

“Ah, so I interrupted, did I?” He sucks my earlobe between his teeth, but only for a second. Enough to drive me wild with the promise of more. “I can leave. Let you get back to it.”

Not a chance in hell.“Eh, the moment’s passed.”

“Pity. Guess I’ll just have to carry you inside then.”

“It’s not even our house!” I laugh, too exhilarated to do anything else. Other people don’t get to see this: Matvey’s playful side. That’s a privilege reserved for family only.

And his playful side in bed…

Well, let’s just say I’ve got that under contract now.

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