The Wrong Wife by Maya Alden

Chapter 45

Declan

Ihoped her knees weren't hurting. Maybe I should find a pillow or something….

"Declan, I love you. I know our marriage has been annulled. And that was…is a mistake. I love you. And I know…you love me." It was hard for her to admit that I loved her. "We… we're meant to be together. So, here it is, heart and soul. I want you to be my life partner. I promise I’ll never hold back again. I'll never let anyone, no matter who, come between us. I'll make time to go to the Mojave with you, see the Northern Lights, and do everything you ever wanted to do with me. I’ll love you and cherish you. I'll be your best friend. I'll be your lover. And your partner…in everything."

My heart was hammering. I wanted to grab Esme and kiss her and then yell at her for making me wait so fucking long.

"Declan Knight, will you marry me?" Her eyes were full of tears, and I smiled at her. Christ, she was adorable.

I went to my knees in front of her and hugged her.

I barely heard our friends and family clap as I devoured her mouth. It had been four long weeks since I'd touched her, and I'd be lucky not to embarrass the priest by having sex with my wife on the cathedral floor.

When I pulled away, she looked stunned. "I love you, Esme. And I'll love you and cherish you. Be husband, friend, and lover. I'll be the best person I can be for and with you. Yes, Esme, I'll marry you."

I stood up and took her with me. I looked at the priest and grinned.

The wedding march started to play from somewhere, and she looked behind me at the door, scared that her father would be walking down the aisle with Viv.

"It's for you, Esme," I told her and kissed her again, feather light. "We're getting married today."

"But…" she turned to look at Vega, who was smiling broadly. It had been her idea to make the fake wedding card. Everyone in the room had received a card with my bride's name as Esme Knight, except Esme.

"First things first, we're getting married." I took her hand in mine.

"Where's Viv?" she asked.

"San Francisco, I think."

"What?"

"Where's my father? My mother?"

I sighed. "We need to discuss that later because it's a longer story. Esme, the priest here needs to perform a baptism in forty-five minutes, so let's get married and then do the debrief."

The priest started to speak, and Esme's eyes widened. "You were never marrying her. This was all…a what? Something to get me here?" She turned and glared at Vega, who gave her a thumbs up sign.

"Focus, sweetheart. The priest has a hard stop."

She looked at the priest, who was smiling, his eyes dancing with laughter.

"Do you, Declan Knight, take Esme Hartley Knight as your…"

"Hartley Knight? Are we even divorced?" she demanded.

"No. The annulment was never filed. I never signed the fucking papers."

The priest continued, "…wedded wife, to love and to—"

"What would you have done if I hadn't shown up?" she asked bewildered.

"Then I'd have to go to the Knight Tech and Hartley Industries board on Monday morning and tell them the merger was going to have to be reversed and that we'd have to take the loss that came with it."

She nodded weakly as if finally understanding what this was. "I'm sorry, Father; please continue."

And he did.

Before he could say you can kiss the bride, I did, and she clung to me.

"I'm so sorry, Declan."

"I know you are, and you'll be punished, don't worry."

She smiled then. "Punished?"

"Hmm…" The few times I had smacked her on the ass while we had sex had ended up with her having an orgasm for the history books.

"I love you, Esme." I picked her up in a hug and gave out a whoop of laughter as I swung her around. She held on to me.

"I love you, Declan."

"I want forever this time."

"Forever," I agreed.

I took her to the penthouse, ignoring the catcalls from my friends and family about making sure we made the reception that was being held at my parent's home later in the evening. We were finally celebrating the marriage that had taken place six months ago with family and friends, as well as key members of the media. It was a good way to put all the rumors about Viv and me to rest.

"I've missed you," I groaned into her mouth as I pulled her on my lap in the car. "You can't do this again, Esme."

She touched my face, her eyes filled with tears.

"Hey, no crying today." I kissed her eyes shut.

"I fucked up, Declan."

"I know, sweetheart."

"What if I fuck up again?"

I brushed my lips against hers. I slid my hand under her white dress to feel, touch, be inside her in any way.

She was wet and soft; warm and wanting. She moaned when I slid a finger inside her.

"I'll bring you back to me then," I vowed. "And what if I fuck up?"

"Then I'll bring you back…oh god, Declan. Please."

I found her clit; it was swollen, and I couldn't help myself. I pushed her down on the seat and raised her dress. I ripped her panties off her and licked her almost reverently before I devoured her taste, her flesh, and her soul.

"Declan." She had her hands in my hair, gripping as she lifted her thighs to hold my face between her legs.

"This pussy has missed me." I swiped my tongue through her slit and let her flavor burst into me.

"Yes."

"Sweetheart, I can't wait, I need to be inside you." I pulled away and unbuckled my belt. I pulled my erection out and brought her up to straddle me. "This first time will have to be fast, my love. It's been too long."