altar, she wondered if

ng it out loud made the contract fe

they stood before an Elder, exchanged vows, registered thei

n a smaller office. Ava watched as the clerk sta

ling and A

ked strange

n the small of her ba

thoughts?" he

ead. "No. Just.

tayed steady. "

living room with the marriage certi

l happene

ontract. The ceremony. T

's father, the Alpha of the m

va

acket gone and his sleeves rolled up to his fore

ll right?"

"Yes. Just

d sat down across from he

at him. "

ut that too," Damon sai

nked. "

u lost your sight," Damon said. "I assume

haven't worked in a year. I don'

Sterling Holdings owns an independent design studio. I c

enior role. I just got my sight back. I

mon said. "Your portfo

"Why would you do that? J

till didn't understand. Why her? Why this marria

your talent. Second, because I want m

ent q

ked it when she focused on work. He'd told her more than once that if sh

r if he was just holding up his end of th

mind. She wasn't ready for a direct

at Lumis for a few more years, if they'll have me.

a moment. Then he no

room wrapped in a soft robe. She had spent the last hour organizing f

hair, she heard m

descended t

ptop balanced on his knee. He had changed into silk pa

, he closed the lap

wake?" h

files," Ava admitted. "Getting

e seat beside h

er. She sat down, leaving a c

he bar cart in the corner. He poured a glass of m

d through her as she took a sip. It was comforting, soothin

on," she s

M

Her eyes were slightly hazy from the wine, he

her, his expre

, you could have chosen anyo

ilent for a

o much, Ava? I told you before we signed the c

know how

leaned

ed her cheek, fea

a, let's try

th caught.

faintest smile. "Fulfilling o

n he ki

a froze for a heartbeat, then leaned

lled wine linge

her neck. His other hand settle

ful in her chest. Ava didn't pull away when Damon's lips found hers a

face to the curve of her throat, then lower, sl

shiv

Damon murmured a

Her voice was soft. "I need to be clear about something. I married you for mon

know," he said quietly, brushing his thumb along

he would make

wept her up into his arms and

swung open, then

lding and overwhelming. She tilted her head back, starin

whispered, her vo

h traced the line

you'd keep

eaned close to her ear, his voice low and ce

ets tangled

fabric of her nightgown, pushing it slowly upward. The

d softly, his gaze tracing ev

naged, though her

ave to prete

e of her breast. His hands roamed her body w

ripped the shee

ugh and low. His hand slid down her thigh, pulling her c

inner thigh, close to her center. "I'