“I do.”
“Then, by the power vested in me by Holy Mother Church, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Andrei, you may kiss the bride.”
“In a moment.” Andrei reached into his pocket and withdrew a wedding band studded with diamonds—the mate to her engagement ring. Slipping it on her finger, he drew her into his arms. “I will love you and no other as long as I live,” he murmured, and kissed her.
It was, Tessa thought as his mouth closed over hers, the sweetest, most gentle sign of love and affection she had ever received.
“All right,” Luke muttered as Andrei deepened the kiss, “break it up, you two.”
Tessa laughed softly as Andrei growled low in his throat, kissed her again, then let her go.
Bailey and Jilly stepped forward to hug her while Luke and Tristan congratulated Andrei.
“Time to cut the cake,” Jilly said.
“And drink a toast to the bride and groom,” Luke added.
“Cake first,” Jilly insisted. She had not only brought a small wedding cake, complete with a little bride and groom on top, but paper plates, and a knife tied with a white bow as well.
“Ladies first.” Taking the knife from Jileen, Tessa cut a thin slice of cake. She hesitated a moment. Many brides and grooms smeared the dessert over their partner’s face, but she didn’t want to make light of the occasion. She fed it to Andrei, then handed him the knife. His gaze met hers as he cut a small piece and offered it to her. She ate it quickly, then licked her lips. Even though she couldn’t taste it, she still remembered the taste of cake and buttercream.
Luke filled seven glasses with champagne and Bailey and Tristan passed them out.
Smiling benignly, the priest joined in the toast.
“Time for a wedding photo,” Jilly said, digging her phone out of her handbag. “This is a day we want to remember.”
Feeling as though she had swallowed a piece of the sun, Tessa stood beside Andrei. Her husband. She glanced at her wedding ring. In all the fuss and excitement, she’d forgotten to buy him one. Something she intended to remedy at the soonest possible moment. He was a married man now, and she wanted everyone to know it.
The party broke up a short time later amid lots of winks and smirks. Jilly and Luke offered to drive the priest home so that the newlyweds could “start their honeymoon right away.”
“Happy New Year,” Jilly said, giving Tessa a hug. “Let’s hope the new year is Katerina-free.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Tessa said, laughing.
“Luke and I are going out dancing at the Stardust later. If you and Andrei get bored before midnight, come find us.”
Tessa glanced over to where Andrei and the others were standing by the door, chatting with the priest. She could hardly wait until they were alone. She grew warm all over just thinking about being in Andrei’s arms, running her hands over his hard body, testing the strength of his arms, hearing his whiskey-rough voice murmuring love words in her ear.
“Tessa?”
“What? Oh, thanks, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“No, I guess not,” Jilly said, following Tessa’s gaze. “Happy New Year.”
* * *
Andrei closed the door. “I thought they’d never leave.”
Tessa nodded, surprised to feel suddenly shy now that they were alone.
“We did it,” he said, slipping his arms around her waist.
“So we did.”
He gazed down at her, his brows drawn together. “You okay?”
She stared up at him, felt her cheek grow hot under his probing gaze. “I should cover that cake and put it away.”
“Now?” He nuzzled her neck. “I had something else in mind.”
“Did you?”
“Can’t you guess?”
Her gaze slid downward to the obvious evidence of his desire. “No guessing required,” she muttered, then burst out laughing.
“I hope you’re not expressing an opinion of my masculinity,” he said dryly.
With a shake of her head, Tessa took him by the hand and led him to the bedroom. “Have no fear. I know just how to ease your problem.”
Andrei’s grin stretched ear to ear. “I know you do, love. I’m counting on it.”
In the bedroom, he drew her into his arms, then turned her around so he could unfasten her gown. He whistled softly when she stepped out of it, revealing a lacy white bra and matching bikini panties.
He groaned softly. “I’m not sure you’re solving my problem.”
“In time,” she promised as she removed his coat and tie.
He obligingly toed off his boots and peeled off his socks.
He sucked in a breath as she unbuckled his belt, unzipped his fly. He kicked his trousers aside, then scooped her into his arms and carried her to bed.