Tess beamed, running fingers through her hair. “Thank you for everything you did for us, Frederick. Rome, and Lynx…well you know—”
My stomach lurched, thinking how close I’d come to losing her. My fingers found the tracker under my skin. It would have to be removed. The Taser Lynx used had short-circuited it, but at least it’d done what I needed.
I’d held on and proved the point I set out to make. It cost a lot more than money but it brought shitloads of protection.
Fuckwit watched us, his forehead furrowed. “Did something happen?” His eyes narrowed. “Is that what happened the past few days? You look like you’ve been in a pretty serious fight.” His gaze flickered to Tess. “You’re not in any danger again—are you, Tessie?”
I coughed.
A swirling tornado of anger ripped me apart.
“Tessie?” My voice was whip-thin and blade-sharp. My body was still sore, the pain eroding no end of painkillers, but all I wanted was a fight. I wanted to hurtle this asshole away from Seychelles. Away from my wife. Away from any claim he thought he had on my woman.
“Never call her that.”
Tess pressed her warm form against mine. “Q—don’t. Brax calls me Tessie. It’s a nickname that’s completely innocent.” Turning to Brax, she finished, “And no, I’m not in any danger. Not anymore. Thanks to Q.”
“But you will be if you call her that again,” I snapped.
My fists ached to ram into his jaw.
The celebrant arrived, smiling—completely oblivious to the standoff between us. “I have the paperwork that requires signing. Please choose your two witnesses and come with me.”
“Perfect timing,” Roux mumbled, throwing me a look. “Come on, Mercer. I’ll witness another one of your documents.” He followed the celebrant.
Tess let me go, grabbing onto Suzette. “Would you do the honour? Please.”
Suzette’s eyes watered. She looked from me to Tess, holding her heart. “I’d love to.”
Great. Fucking fantastic. Yet more time stopping me from getting my wife naked. The second this was over. I was gone. With or without Tess. Who was I kidding? I would never leave her—especially with Fuckwit here.
The three of us trailed after Frederick, leaving Twerp and his little girlfriend. The celebrant had set up a station with a small table, leather binder, and pens. A crisp piece of paper rested on top.
I sighed.
This whole mingling after the wedding bullshit was fraying my nerves. I didn’t know if it was the pain making me cranky or the fact Tess’s past was trespassing on my future. I just wanted to leave.
Soon. Sign then I was free.
The top of the paper held an intricate flourish with the words:
This is to certify Quincy Mercer II descended from Quincy Mercer I and Veronica Fable married Tess Olivia Snow descended from Stephen Snow and Mary Carlton, both sound of mind and able body, in holy matrimony before the witnesses of…
“You sign here, Mr. Mercer.” The celebrant pointed to a column stated ‘groom’.
Taking the pen, I printed my name, then signed. The simple act of holding the pen aggravated the muscles in my arm from Lynx’s bad batting skills.
I needed more drugs—especially if I planned on delivering my threats to Tess.
Beneath my signature, it changed from groom to husband.
Shit.
Husband.
It hit me for the second time.
I’m Tess’s husband.
This time it was a battering ram compared to the tiny realization. I was hers. Forever.
Tess’s body heat seared into mine, reaching over to steal the pen. Planting a chaste kiss on my cheek, she printed her name…then paused.
My heart stuttered as the pen hovered over the signature of ‘wife’.
“Do I sign with my old name or…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes meeting the celebrant.
The man smiled. “Your new one, of course. If you’re taking your husband’s name, sign it as Tess Mercer.
She froze.
Every instinct and bestial sense sprang to high alert. I tried to see past her outer shell, searching for the real reason why she didn’t want to sign the fucking form.
Swallowing back my temper, I said as soft as I could manage, “Tu vas bien?” You okay?
She looked into my eyes, tears making the blue shine like the sea. I almost crashed to my knees with the sheer unconditional love in her depths. “I’m no longer Tess Snow.”
My stomach twisted thinking about the girl who I’d watched transform into a woman. Ever since I woke up to her whispering in my ear at Lynx’s house, I’d known she’d turned an irrevocable corner. She left Tess Snow behind the moment she smeared her cheek with the blood of her victim. She spread her wings and soared, putting her past where it belonged and embracing everything I’d always hoped she would.
Every time I looked at her I sensed it, sensed the depth and sweet depravity of my woman. I’d never meant to change her—but she’d changed herself. She’d become more—just more in every way.
I cupped her cheek, bringing her nose to mine. Tracing her throat, I caressed the top of the brand—the only part visible above her collar. She shivered, biting her lip.
“You walked away from that name, esclave. It no longer defines you.”
“What does define me?” she whispered.
“Your invincibility. Your conviction. Me.”
“You?”
My fingers drifted over her collar, tugging on the leash. “Yes. You wear my name now. You wear my fortune.”
“I’m Tess Mercer.” Her soft voice turned to a pant, flushing my body with want. My cock twitched in my trousers, ready to take her. Ready to finish this.
“You’re so much more than that.”
“What?”
“Tu es à moi.” You’re mine.
“Yours,” she breathed, swaying she pressed her lips against mine. The instant her soft mouth touched me, my vision shattered into colourless light. The countdown to taking her increased its incessant tick.
I wouldn’t last much longer. I couldn’t last much longer.
Her lips kissed along my cheekbone, ending on the shell of my ear. “I was going to deny you, husband. I didn’t think you were strong enough to take me. But you haven’t stopped making love to me since the moment I entered this marquee. I believe you’re strong enough. And I want you to take me away. Take me completely.”
She pulled back, permission blazing in her eyes. “I’m all yours. Every inch.” Gone was the fear about letting me inside the final part of her. Gone was the hesitation at exploring the unexplored.
My muscles locked into place, fighting a full body shudder. My cock punched the buckle of my belt, demanding to have her now.
Tess left me standing like a fool, sealing the marriage contract with a flick of her wrist. Tess Mercer.
My Tess.
My esclave.
Frederick grabbed the pen with a wink. “You’re looking at her like you’re about to eat her. You guys better leave before you end up saying screw the guests and giving us a show.”
I let him finish signing before punching him in the shoulder. “We’re only here because we’re Suzette’s prisoners.”
Suzette giggled, taking the pen. “Fine, I know a man in pain when I see one. Go. I’ll rearrange the reception for tomorrow.”
A thick arm wedged between us, scrawling illegibly on the paper beneath all four signatures.
What the—
I looked over my shoulder. Franco.
He shrugged. “Hey, couldn’t let you get hitched without the top quality authority of your favourite bodyguard. I just made that thing legit.”
I rolled my eyes. “Trust you to ruin everything.”
Franco chuckled, giving Tess a one armed hug. He’d discarded his grey blazer, revealing the white shirt beneath. His sling matched the fabric, hiding the fact he was injured. Sort of. The bandage around his hand had been changed, and the minute I c
ould breathe without needing to sink into Tess, I would source a world class doctor to replace his thumb.
He would also receive a huge bonus.
Pulling away from Tess, Franco said, “You look incredible. I’m very happy for you both. I’ll always have your back, Tess. You’ve earned my deepest respect.” Tess dropped her eyes, unconsciously tugging the collar around her throat. Her cleavage was deep and fucking enticing.
“I’ll forever be in your debt for helping me get him back. I think you deserve a long holiday and someone to pamper you.” Her eyes darted to Suzette—not at all subtle and way too insinuating.
Ah, for fuck’s sake what was with weddings and hook-ups?
She added, “Don’t be an idiot, Franco.”
His mouth fell open; eyes just as wide.
I grabbed the leash from her collar, wrapping it around my fist. “Enough, esclave. He’ll figure it out. And if he doesn’t, there are plenty of other body parts that can be sliced off to make him understand.”
Franco spluttered. “Hey, what?” His green eyes landed on Suzette who turned bright red. She coughed, backing away, the tips of her ears flaming.
I didn’t have any time for other people’s lives. Mine was all I wanted and I was done being the centre of attention.
Tugging the leash, the collar slipped a little, glinting with an inscription: property of Q Mercer.
My eyes slammed closed. I was ruined. High on the need to claim.
My cock twitched, clawing its way through my trousers to my wife.
Yep, I would never be removing that collar.
Screw the reception. Screw the guests. I was done.
“We’re leaving,” I snapped.
Tess’s eyes popped wide but slowly she nodded, tasting my need, echoing it back.
I’m married! I survived. And now I would claim my wife.
“Spoilsport,” Frederick muttered good-naturedly. He clasped my shoulder, crunching me into a painful hug. “Fair enough. We can have the reception tomorrow on the beach. I’m sure Suzette has a few days’ worth of events for us to enjoy.”
Franco rolled his eyes. “That woman is a nuisance. She’s too damn organised and when the hell did she become so freaking gorgeous?” His eyes trailed to Suzette who’d broken apart from our group, returning to Angelique.
“Since always,” Tess stated, crossing her arms.
Franco frowned. “You’re forgetting that I was the one who carried her into Q’s house. She weighed nothing more than a bag of feathers, her hair shorn, her skin covered in burns, and her fingers completely mangled.” His eyes tightened, looking at Suzette laughing with Angelique. “I’ve seen her at her worst. All I see is a broken girl who needed so much help.”
I agreed completely. That was my issue, too. “That’s how I see her as well. But maybe it’s time we looked at her with new eyes. She’s no longer that girl.”
I glanced at Suzette, truly seeing the strong woman she’d become. Pride filled me. Compared to the broken slave she’d been—it was incomparable.
Franco’s eyes widened as if truly seeing Suzette for the first time. He cleared his throat.
“You should talk to her, Franco, get to know her,” Tess pushed.
I threw Tess a look. That was enough. I hated tampering in people’s life, and Franco’s was his own. Tough shit if he couldn’t see past the past.
The celebrant placed the signed wedding agreement into a black folder, passing it to me. “Congratulations. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”
Clutching the document I would treasure forever, I muttered, “More than just one lifetime. Thank you.”
Keeping Tess’s leash tight in my fist, I marched forward, fully expecting her to heel. What, like a fucking dog?
Goddammit, my thoughts were all over the place. I needed silence. Just us. Swiping a hand over my face, I tugged on the leather. “Tess—come on.”
She came forward, her lips playing with a scowl and a smile. “You’ve really got to rein in your temper.”
I bared my teeth. “Too late to try and change me, esclave. You married me—knowing full well who I was.”
And that made me the luckiest son of a bitch alive.
She laughed. “I would never want to change you.” Her eyes flittered over to Angelique and Suzette who stood talking to Fuckwit and Bianca. “I should go and say goodbye, though—I don’t want to be rude and abandon everyone.”
I shook my head. “No. You’re coming with me. This instant.”
I wouldn’t go back into the Bermuda fucking triangle of after wedding politics. We’d barely found freedom as it was, and it’d taken far too long.
Frederick brushed past, heading for his wife. “I’ll tell everyone, Tess. They’ll understand.”
Her cheeks pinked. “Okay, thank you. Guess we’ll see you tomorrow.”
No chance. I wasn’t leaving that bedroom for weeks.
“Only if you’re still able to walk,” I breathed in her ear.
Her body jolted, and I took the opportunity to wrap my arm around her, guiding her toward the exit. “If you so much as speak to another person leaving this fucking tent, I’ll put you over my knee in front of everyone.”
And I’ll love it. My stomach lurched at the thought of finally getting her alone.
Tess breathed hard, her breasts rising and falling. “You shouldn’t get so wound up. Your heart needs a rest.”
I laughed darkly. “Let me worry about my heart—you worry about yours.” Slamming to a halt by the doorway, I whispered, “Because I’ll make it fly out of your chest with what I’m going to do to you.”
Tess wiggled in my grip, brushing against things that needed no other stimulation.
Surveying the black shrouded tent, I sighed with satisfaction. Everything had come true. Tess was no longer broken. I’d fought against the underworld and won. And now, now I intended to spend a few weeks on this island recuperating and making delicious sinful love to my wife.
Pressing Tess against my rock hard erection, I murmured, “I want to see you naked. I want you wearing only the collar and your high heels.” Pushing her out of the shadows and into the light, I growled, “Come on, esclave. Time to consummate.”
Tess stood before me, breathing hard.
I locked the sliding door, proceeding to draw every curtain so no one could see in. However, it didn’t go dark, thanks to the sun streaming in from the glass roof.
I couldn’t stop looking at the collar around her throat. I want you naked. I want to drive into you holding that leash.
My heart raced, burning off the remaining painkillers in my system. Every inch of me ached, but all I wanted was Tess. I didn’t care about the burning in my legs or the slight twinge whenever my heart beat too fast. The bullet wound in my leg didn’t stand a chance against the desire in my blood.
I could recoup later. Right now. I had husbandly duties to perform.
“Get in the bedroom, esclave.”
I planned one more game to end our crescent moon.
Tess was mine in every conceivable way. She was back to the strong and amazing woman I fell in love with and today, I would finish my claiming.
She’d given me permission.
She was ready.
I would finish what I started in Tenerife.
The stress of the wedding left my system, leaving me levelheaded and able to focus on nothing but her. The world was inconsequential now we were alone. I trusted the team of bodyguards bobbing around the atoll to keep us safe. I trusted my friends to stay far away from our villa until I was drained dry and Tess could barely walk.
And I trusted that tomorrow, I might be able to be nicer to Fuckwit, after reminding Tess just who she would spend the rest of her life with.
Tess hadn’t moved.
“I won’t ask again. Get in the bedroom.”
Tess bowed her head, watching me with lowered eyes. “Q?”
I inched toward her, suffering a rapidly building itch to chase—to hunt.
I’m going to consume you, wife.
“Yes, esclave?” I dropped my eyes down her front; my mouth watered to slice the dress from her. I wanted to drink in her gorgeous body—to drool at the tempting fucking corset.
I wanted to stare—now that no one else was watching.
Tess inched backward, activating the beast inside by submitting to me. “I’m giving you the last part of me—but I have one request.”
My legs locked to the floor. What request? She doesn’t want pain? She doesn’t want rough? My eyes searched hers, but her secrets were hidden.
I cocked my head. “One request…”
Her gaze glowed with love. “I ask that you look after yourself. Let me do the work if you need to. I don’t want you bursting your stitches or having a heart attack. Let me be the one to take you.”
I threw my head back, a loud laugh escaping. “Vous pensez que je suis fragile putain?” You think I’m that fucking frail? Humour danced in my voice. “I’ll show you who’s frail, Tess. You should know me by now pain turns me on. I don’t care I’m beaten black and blue. I don’t care that I have holes and cuts for fucking miles. All I care about is your pussy.”
Her cheeks pinked. Never taking her eyes from mine, she inched toward the corridor, walking backward, swaying her delicious tempting hips, her red heels clicking on the tiles.
“I’m fixated on touching you, tasting you, fucking you. Nothing else matters but that. Do you understand?”
I moved forward with her, hiding my limp, cursing the pain in my thigh.
Her breath was shallow, pinpricks of colour smudging her chest. “I understand. You’re suffering the same illness as me.” She kept backing up. Every step made my cock harder.
“What illness is that?” I whispered, my fists opening and closing in anticipation. Her skin was flawless again. No wax burns or bite marks. I needed to rectify that. After all, this was the consummation of our marriage.
“I can’t stop thinking about your fingers inside me, or your tongue licking. And, maître…”
Tess dragged delicate fingers along the wall, following the curve to the bedroom.
My ears burned for the rest of her sentence. I entered the space, crowding her to stand in the centre. “Go on…what were you going to say?”