Page 117 of Jetmir

“You can get them all.”

She peppered kisses all over my face.

“And then?” she asked.

“A stroll downtown,” I drawled.

Her eyes darted to the window. “It’s drizzling.”

I followed her eyes to the glass. Tiny droplets had begun their descent and I smiled. Today would be perfect. Rain was exactly what we needed.

“But we love the rain, don’t we?”

Her expression softened. “We do.”

We had so many memories in the rain.

Our first dance. Our last argument before I kidnapped my wife. Moments when the rest of the world disappeared and it had only ever been us.

I reached for her hand and pulled her against me. “I love you, Anya Santos-Vokov-Tijuana..”

She touched my cheek.

“I love you too.”

I brushed a strand of platinum-blonde hair away from her face.

“I love waking up beside you. I love hearing you laugh. I love when you get excited about books. I love the way you look at me like I’m worth something. I love you so much that I’m terrified I’d burn down the world without a second thought only to keep you next to me.”

Her eyes shimmered.

“No need to burn down the world, because I’ll never leave you,” she murmured as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Her forehead touched mine. “I love you. Forever.”

My arms tightened around her and I kissed her tenderly. I’d finally been given everything I’d ever wanted and I wouldn’t take it for granted.

Our kiss deepened and the world disappeared along with its troubles. There was only Anya and I.

One heart. One soul. Forever together.

EPILOGUE TWO

ANYA

Six Months Later

There would be defining moments—happy, sad, tragic, quiet—that I would never forget.

The day I met Jetmir.

The day he told me he loved me. Those days we danced in the rain.

The day we got married. The day we chose each other over everything else.

And as I stood at the top of the staircase in my papa’s home, my hand resting in his, I knew this would be another. In fact, every other memory might revolve around this one.

Today, Jetmir and I would be renewing our vows and getting married for all intents and purposes the right way. Surrounded by our family and friends. Surrounded by so much love, I feared I’d burst from happiness.

Our home had never looked more beautiful.