Chapter Fourteen

LUKAS' WEDDING WAS nothing like how he had vaguely imagined it would be. At all.

And he was glad it was so.

Instead of aiming for a big and fancy wedding, Lukas had sought help from Conrad with the guest list, and the billionaire had followed the older man's suggestions to the letter.

He had invited a battalion of nannies, pet sitters, and cleaners, and seeing this, the front desk manager had shaken his head in incredulous amusement.

I didn't really believe it, you know, the older man had remarked.

Believe what?

Every time Betsy sings you praises, which she does all the time, if we're being honest.

While Lukas had only smiled at this, Conrad's words had also effectively cleared up the one thing that had been bugging him of late.

Betsy was apparently why people in his apartment building no longer seemed to find him intimidating, and this became even more evident when Betsy's colleagues slyly teased the newlyweds about their whirlwind romance.

Mr. Tsaldaris obviously adores you, Betsy. Does that mean he lets you get away with ordering him around in the bedroom?

Be honest, Mr. Tsaldaris. Are you putting a ring on her just so none of the guys from construction can steal her away?

Sandra, you live right below their unit, don't you? You'll let us know if you hear any interesting sounds, won't you?

Betsy was torn between embarrassment and joy as her friends ribbed her mercilessly. How they had the guts to say the most audacious things in front of Lukas was beyond her, but at the same time, her heart was overflowing with happiness because of how her boss (who was now her husband!) was taking everything in stride.

It was so, so hard to believe that the man everyone had once described as cold and aloof was the same man who had not let go of her hand ever since they had been pronounced as husband and wife.

And every time her dazed gaze had flown up to his, Lukas would only give her a wicked smile that had her heart racing like mad.

That smile seemed to her like a promise and a threat, and Betsy's toes curled every time she thought about how things would be between them, once they were, well, alone.

Esther turned out to be the host for the reception, and the other woman soon invited the newlyweds to the stage for the cake-cutting. This was followed by Betsy tossing away her wedding bouquet (which ended up in the hands of Marcela, the shy dog sitter from 12/F) and the guests mischievously clinking their wine glasses as they called for a kiss.

Betsy's cheeks were on fire once again, but Lukas had already pulled her into his arms, and her planned words of protest disappeared into the billionaire's kiss.

Oh my...goodness!

It was not a chaste kiss at all, with Lukas hungrily sucking on her tongue that by the time he lifted his head, she found herself clutching his shirt to keep her balance.

Lukas bent down and whispered in her ear, "If you're already like this with just a kiss...I wonder how you'll survive once I make you mine."

"I'll pass out." She didn't even realize she had whispered the words out loud until she saw his gaze gleam.

"Ne."

A sensual thrill rippled down her spine at hearing Lukas suddenly speak in his native language, but it was when he wrapped his arm around her waist as he turned to face their guests that Lukas spoke the words that had Betsy feeling like she was the luckiest woman alive.

"My wife and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for being here. As much as Betsy and I would like to spend more time with you all, our son is currently waiting for us to take him home from daycare. Please enjoy the rest of the evening on our behalf. Thank you and good evening."

The import of Lukas' words was not lost on anyone, and the sound of cheers and heartfelt applause filled the air as the newlyweds walked past their guests.

Betsy caught sight of Charlotte waiting by the exit, and she unconsciously let go of her husband's hand as she rushed forward to her friend. "I never got to say sorry a while ago," Betsy choked out. "You've done so much for me, and I even signed a contract with you. I hate having to break my word—-"

"This is the ending I was really hoping for," Charlotte assured her warmly.

It was?

"And that's because I've insisted on paying the penalty fee for having the contract canceled," Betsy heard her husband drawl from behind, and as she turned to look at him in surprise, she missed the way Charlotte's eyes widened at the words.

"Not only that, but I've also given her permission to include us in her list of successful matches."

"And that's the ending I've always wanted," Charlotte hurried to explain. "Everyone knows Lukas is a confirmed bachelor, so having him as one of my satisfied clients is another coup for Heart's Match."

And so all's well that ends well, Betsy thought in relief. Her guilt over having to back out of the contract she signed had been the last torn in her side, and with that taken care of, Betsy couldn't remember feeling this free in ages.

Thank You, God, thank You, thank You!

She felt as if she was about to burst with happiness, and so as soon as they were in the backseat of his limo, Betsy could no longer control herself.

Lukas grunted in surprise when his wife suddenly launched herself into his lap and started raining kisses all over his face.

"Thank you, Lukas."

The stars were back in her eyes as she whispered the words to him, and it stirred inside of him a streak of possessiveness so primal that he knew he would never be the same again.

Mine.

My Betsy.

Now and forever...

She was the only woman he would ever need, and with Betsy unconsciously rubbing her breasts against his chest as she brushed her lips over his cheeks—-

Hunger burned inside of him, his body hardening with need as his desire for her overruled everything else.

Mine, he found himself thinking again.

My Betsy.

But this time his need to claim her was carnal.

All of her is mine.

And it was not to be denied.