Epilogue

One Month Later

The guests all stood up in the small chapel as Violet walked down the aisle. Her father smiled happily at her side, proud to be giving her away to a man that she loved. She had come to realize that her parents were simple creatures. Her mother may have forced the issue, yet all she had wanted was for her to be happy.

Lady Blackwood was sitting in the front pew, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, unable to hide her happiness.

Violet's breath caught in her throat when her eyes locked on Greyson's. He cut quite the handsome figure in his pressed black suit. His hair was wild, as usual.

She had chosen a pale cream dress with dark purple trimmings for the occasion. Greyson had said he preferred her in purple, and she'd done her best to make the day an unforgettable one.

Violet and her father reached the altar after what seemed like an eternity. He turned to her and winked before placing her hand in Greyson's.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The vicar's voice carried over the heads of their friends and family as he lifted his arms high in the air. His pure white robes with gold trimming flapped with the gesture.

Violet's heart melted when Greyson looked into her eyes. She just knew that from that moment on, she would spend the rest of her life by his side. The warmth of his hands seeped into her as she gave his fingers a gentle squeeze.

"Now, repeat after me. I,Greyson Stone, take thee, Violet Smith,to be my weddedwife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or health. To love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; thereto I plight thee my troth." The vicar paused, waiting for Greyson to repeat his words.

Greyson spoke with such love and authority in his voice that Violet felt as if her heart would explode. She had never dreamed that things would end this way when she had gone to meet him that day in the café. Every fiber of her being radiated gratitude when he finished his vows with the promise to be at her side forever more. She had gotten so lost in his eyes that she had almost missed her part.

"Ahem." The vicar cleared his throat and waited expectantly for her to say her vows.

"I,Violet Smith, take thee, Greyson Stone,to be my weddedhusband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or health. To love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; thereto I plight thee my troth."

Her voice trembled with anticipation when Greyson winked at her, and the pit of her stomach coiled deliciously at the thoughts of what they would do that night.

They had already consummated their union before the wedding, but that hadn't stopped her from getting excited about their first night together as husband and wife.

The vicar smiled encouragingly and raised his arms once again. "And now, it is my greatest pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Greyson Stone, you may kiss your bride!"

Her heart skittered in her chest as Greyson drew her into his arms, lifting her veil and kissing her lips with all the passion and longing of a man at sea who had finally come home.

Her lips parted beneath his, sending a thrill through her body that almost felt too inappropriate for the chapel.

The guests erupted into applause, drawing the flushed couple apart.

The look of hunger in Greyson's eyes was enough to make her melt. She averted her gaze, hoping that no one would be able to tell just how far they had gone.

* * *

"Greyson, the guests might hear us!" Violet giggled and placed her hands on his chest, trying to hold him back.

The couple had found themselves in a quiet room in Montclair Manor while the guests waited to have their lunch.

Everyone had come straight from the chapel to the manor, and Greyson had whisked her away while no one was looking.

"Nobody will hear. I don't think I can wait until tonight," he murmured before dipping his head and gently nibbling on the tender skin of her neck.

"I shouldn't…" she trailed off as she gave in to the passion coursing through her veins.

He backed her up against the wall beside the door and wrapped her leg around his hip, gently sliding his palm up her dress and caressing her flesh.

"You were saying?" He smiled against her neck before bringing his other hand up and cupping her breasts.

"Oh, stop talking and make love to me before anyone catches us."

Violet wrapped her hand around the nape of his neck and pulled him closer, reveling in the sensation of his hand trailing up her thigh.

"Your wish is my command, My Lady," he growled hungrily and almost ripped her dress in his endeavor to ravage her breasts.

Violet moaned with pleasure when his thumb caressed the flesh between her thighs over her chemise. She hadn't thought it possible to want him more than she had the first time they made love, yet every inch of her body yearned for him with a burning, almost carnal desire.

The sound of fabric ripping filled the air as her breasts spilled out of her corset.

"This damn dress is in my way," he growled against her neck, before kissing his way down to her nipple and cupping her other breast in his hand.

"Never mind the dress."

Violet shuddered when he pushed her chemise over her hips before positioning himself between her thighs.

She gasped as he lifted her against the wall and entered her with a single thrust. The intense pleasure had her whimpering for more as he made love to her in the dark room.

The feeling of his thigh muscles tightening with every thrust drove her insane to the point where he had to cup his hand over her mouth to muffle her moans.

Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she gasped for breath, feeling the heat of his embrace. She wanted to scream his name but chose to gently bite the hand covering her mouth. Her core was on fire, aching for more as the rest of the world ceased to exist.

Greyson lowered his head to her neck, his hot breath tickling her skin as he panted. "You're mine forever now," he growled mercilessly and picked up the pace, fondling her breasts while he supported her buttocks with his free arm.

"Greyson!" she whimpered, leaning her head against the wall.

His quick thrusts were quickly bringing her to the edge of climax.

"Shhh, show me how good it is, don't tell me," he commanded in a deep voice that sent thrills of pleasure down her spine.

Bursts of color exploded behind her eyelids as her body shook with her release. The spasming of her walls pushed Greyson over the edge, as he held his breath and tensed, spilling inside her while burying his face in her breasts.

"Oh, Greyson, I thought I was about to pass out there for a moment," Violet panted as he lowered her to her feet, allowing her dress and undergarments to cover her thighs once more.

"That's just the start of how things can be," he whispered against her neck, before pressing a tender kiss to her flesh.

Everything fell into place at that moment. There was nowhere Violet would rather be than in Greyson Stone's arms, as his wife.

"I love you," she whispered in his hair.

He froze for a second, and Violet was worried that he wouldn't respond. But she felt his lips curl into a smile.

"I thought you would never say that again. I love you more than you could ever imagine, Violet Stone."

His soft words warmed her heart and burrowed deep into her soul. She knew now that she had been na?ve in thinking that a life without love was better. She'd sell her soul if it meant that she could be by his side for the rest of her life.

Taking a step back, Greyson pulled up his breeches and smirked at her. "I think we had better get you a new dress before we venture out there."

The End?