Page 142 of Hunter's Revenge
“There is still the matter of that pie I keep promising you. You haven’t tasted that yet.” It feels easier to joke with him now. We feel the way we did when we first met.
“Oh, I still want pie, Gwen Volkova. I’m just crazier for the taste of you.”
He cups my face with one large hand and gently guides me to meet his lips for a long leisurely kiss that promises forever.
The promise instills hope in my heart and makes me wonder if I could have that with him.
If I could, I would.
ChapterThirty-Two
Malik
Inever thought I would live to see this day, where I’d be attending one of the annual charity fundraisers with my wife.
Gwen and I are standing by the bar area in the grand hall of the Langham Hotel. We’re with my brothers and their wives, Anastasia and Lorelai.
Zakh is regaling us with tales of one of his crazy adventures, and everyone is listening and laughing.
Last week, I introduced Gwen to Anastasia and Lorelai properly because I felt it was time to. I knew they would be fascinated with her, and they were.
Like mother hens, they took Gwen under their wings. Within an hour, no one would believe they’d only just met that morning.
It’s been the same tonight.
This year, Volkova Inc. partnered with Monsoon Tech to raise a million dollars for the Children of Tomorrow, a children’s charity that takes care of children with cancer and rare diseases. Every year, we sponsor a different charity and this event is usually held at Volkova Inc.
I’m used to attending events like these a few times a year. Each time alone.
I don’t always leave alone. In fact, I seldomly lack for a woman on my arm. But it was clear to everyone that I intended to be the perpetual bachelor.
Until now.
Dressed in a suit like the rest of the men here with my wife at my side, who’s wearing an elegant black gown that hugs her perfect body, I feel like I’ve evolved into something else. Something much more than the man I was supposed to be.
Something the men I hold in my heart as the highest examples would have been proud of.
My father, Uncle Leif, Jim and Brian.
Brian would never believe I found one actual woman I adored enough to give my name, no matter the reason. Nor that when I look at my future, I can’t imagine having one without her in the picture.
It’s been a little over a month since she’s been in my life and been my wife, but so much has happened it feels like several lifetimes have passed. For each, I’ve had her at my side, taming the beast inside me and restoring what I once felt when my heart used to beat on its own. Now it just seems to beat for her.
Gwen laces her delicate fingers with mine, and I glance at her smiling up at me. Even though she’s in her heels, the top of her head only just brushes my shoulders.
When we look back at Zakh, I notice Lorelai and Anastasia exchanging curious glances.
I know exactly what they’re thinking because I’ve fascinated them, too. I’m usually the least talkative of my brothers and the guy who seems cold and calculative, a little scarier than most because no one can figure me out.
But tonight, it’s been no secret that my wife means more to me than a contract or any cartel.
Zakh starts talking about the trip he and Desmier took last summer to Denmark, then the upbeat music changes to something old and sentimental. It’s a 1940s jazz song I recognize but don’t know the name of.
It seems to mean something to Gwen, though, because she stares out at the couples gathering on the dance floor across from us and her hand sways gently in mine.
She looks back at me, and her face lights up.
“My grandparents used to dance to this.” She chuckles lightly.