Chapter 22

I nervously adjust my bowtie as I take a look at our wedding guests. It’s clear Sierra didn’t invite anyone but her siblings, their wives, and her grandmother. There are only a handful of chairs, and they’re taken up by the Windsor boys, my parents, and Valeria. She doesn’t want anyone to know about us, and I fucking hate it. If Dion hadn’t reminded me that it’d be easier to give our marriage a real chance when no one is watching our every move, I’d have invited every damn person I know. Instead of that, I’m following Sierra’s lead, trying by best to remain as patient as I have been for years.

A violin begins to play, and Sierra’s sisters-in-law walk down the aisle, reassuring smiles on their faces. Nerves instantly assault me, and I shift my weight from one foot to the other. She hasn’t changed her mind, has she? “Chill,” Zach whispers. “She’ll be here.” I take a deep breath, hoping he’s right. I wouldn’t put it past her to just run off and leave me standing here, waiting for her in vain.

The girls all take their places, and at last, she appears at the end of the aisle, on her grandmother’s arm. She looks like my wildest dreams come to life, and my entire body reacts at the sight of her. Fuck. I can’t believe she’s about to become my wife. In what world does someone like me get to marry Sierra Windsor?

Our eyes lock, and she looks as nervous as I feel, a tinge of heartbreak in her eyes. Today is a dream come true for me, but it’s clear to her this is nothing but a nightmare she’s trying to live through. Her grandmother places Sierra’s trembling hand in mine, her eyes on her granddaughter. “I love you,” Anne says, her voice breaking.

“I love you more,” Sierra replies, her voice soft, pained. When she turns to face me, all of that love drains away, until there’s nothing but resentment in her beautiful eyes. It hurts, but all that matters is that she’s here with me. “Put away those claws, Kitten,” I murmur, teasing her. “You don’t want to accidentally damage your new toy, do you?”

She rolls her eyes and leans in. “There’d be nothing accidental about it, Xavier,” she whispers. “You’ll be lucky if you survive the night.”

I can’t help but laugh, my heart racing at the thought of having her in my bed. It’s crazy to think that this beautiful woman is about to become mine.

“We have gathered here today to witness the marriage of Xavier Kingston and Sierra Windsor,” Zach says, stepping forward to officiate for us.

I tighten my grip on Sierra’s hand, and she raises her head to look into my eyes. “You look ethereal,” I whisper. “That necklace looks as gorgeous on you as I imagined.”

The compliment catches her off guard, and my heart skips a beat when she blushes beautifully. She looks at me like she’s finally really seeing me, and I can’t help but smirk when her gaze roams over my body in appreciation. Her eyes lock with mine, and I chuckle softly, pleased with the desire I see in them. I’m so taken with her that I don’t snap out of my daze until I hear Zach say my name.

“Do you, Xavier, take Sierra to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?”

Her breath hitches, and I smile, my heart overflowing with tenderness. “I do.” There’s not a beat of hesitation in my voice. I’ve waited long enough to say these words.

Elijah grins and steps forward with our rings, and I note the surprise on Sierra’s face when I take the diamond eternity ring and slip it onto her finger. It isn’t the kind of ring you could mistake for anything but a wedding ring, and seeing it on her hand brings me a strange kind of satisfaction.

Zach turns to Sierra, and I watch her as panic begins to cross her face. “Do you, Sierra, take Xavier to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?”

Her eyes widen a fraction, something akin to regret clouding those beautiful emeralds. She lowers her eyes and draws a shaky breath. “I do.” She doesn’t say it with as much conviction, but fuck, just hearing her say the words is such a relief. Her hand trembles as she takes the thick gold wedding band from Elijah and slides it onto my finger.

“It is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. Welcome to the family, Sierra,” Zach says, earning himself a sweet smile from my wife. “Xavier, you may now kiss your beautiful bride.”

I grin and gently reach for her, my hand slipping around the back of her neck as I tilt my head, my lips hovering over hers for a moment. Sierra’s breath hitches, and her eyes fall closed when my lips meet hers. I’d planned to make it a quick peck, but one touch, and all my willpower fades away. I pull her flush against me, deepening our kiss. My beautiful wife responds by rising to her tiptoes, her hand wrapping into my hair as she parts her lips for me.

It isn’t until I become aware of my brothers’ chuckles that I pull away, my heart racing and my body thrumming with desire. Sierra looks just as flustered, and I can’t help but smile happily. She can pretend all she’d like, but it’s clear she wants me. It isn’t much, but it’s enough for now.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kingston, everyone!” Zach announces, and Sierra smiles back at me shyly before we turn to face our families, but all the while, I can’t take my eyes off her. I watch as her smile slips, shock mingling with betrayal when she finds Valeria sitting next to my mother. She looks back at me with so much heartbreak in her eyes that I can’t help but squeeze her hand.

“You know how I said I wasn’t romantically involved with anyone?” I ask.

Something akin to devastation crosses her face, like she expects me to tell her that I lied to her. “Circumstances have changed,” I tell her as I cup her face. “I’m pleased to inform you that I am, in fact, married — and I’m incredibly devoted to my wife.”

She looks at me like she doesn’t know whether she should believe a word I’m saying, and I grin back at her, silently vowing to fix my mistakes.