Page 123 of His Two Hidden Masks

“Angry I saved his company.”

“It’s your company, too, Bella.”

I wasn’t sure what to say since the company had always belonged to my family, but hearing Dylan say those words, I realized I never thought it belonged to me.

“And you are sure you will be okay with the world knowing who you are?” I asked. “You let the cat out of the bag, you know.”

“I did.” He nodded, lips pursed. “I am no longer Strand. I love my music. I love to play. Strand was a crutch that enabled me to hide from the world. I don’t want to hide anymore, Bella. You showed me that.”

I leaned across the bed and kissed him. His lips felt warm and soft pressed against mine.

“What about James?” I asked. “Did you hear from him?”

“Oh, fuck yes,” he said. “Big brother started messaging me last night. I turned off the phone.”

“Will he forgive you?”

Dylan shrugged. “James and I have been through a lot. I don’t need his permission or forgiveness anymore.”

“He isn’t going to be furious that you married me?”

“I don’t really care what he thinks, what anyone thinks. I love you.” He looked at me, his eyes wide. “I am going to spend the rest of my life making you believe me. Truth?”

“Truth,” I said.

“The moment I saw you, I was in love.”

“Love at first sight,” I said. My voice was calm and totally at odds with my hammering heart.

“I saw you and something shifted. I told myself it wasn’t real, but I had to have you. From that moment onward, all I wanted was to make love to you.”

“Oh, you are a naughty boy,” I said, giggling.

“I’m not playing, Bella,” he said, his voice serious. He leaned on his side and ran a finger over my forehead. “When you asked me to spend the night with you, I knew I should leave, but I couldn’t. Sleeping with you was never the plan.

And when I had the chance, I took it, and once I touched you, I was never the same. Marrying you was what you needed to save your business. It was what I needed for my soul. I can’t live without you.”

“You know, this is a terrible way to start a marriage,” I said. “Most people date for a while.”

“Oh, is it a marriage now?”

“Today it is,” I said, taking his face in my hands. I climbed on top of him, sitting above his waist. I could feel his body tightening up beneath me, his breath changing.

“I’m confirming again. You are not going to the divorce attorney today?” he asked.

“Nope, not today.”

“I’ll take that.”

I giggled, my hair falling in front of my eyes. He brushed it off my face.

“You are so beautiful,” he said. “I want to be with you forever. I want to make all your dreams come true.”

“Excellent,” I said. “Because right now, I have this dream that you make me come so hard I scream before breakfast.”

“Happy wife, happy life,” he said. “Roll over, gorgeous. I want to leave this room tasting you.”

His lips moved down my body and I sighed. I ran my fingers through his hair, while his tongue and mouth kissed me awake until I came.

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