Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,100
her face. “I know.”
As I pulled her hand to my lips, I could barely get out the words. “I need to tell you something and I want you to listen to me. You don’t have to come with me. There is no need for the contract any longer. I release you completely, just like the courts have.”
There were no sounds for a full minute, her face holding no reaction.
Then she lifted her head, searching my eyes, her voice little more than a whisper. “Ask me.”
“What?”
Her smile was laced with mischief. “Ask. Me. If you do, I’ll say yes.”
For all the years I’d spent hating everything and everyone, including myself, it was at that moment I understood the power of forgiveness. I also understood the power of love.
As I pulled back, dropping to one knee, tears formed in my eyes. “Ms. Alessandra Toro, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes.”
* * *
Alessandra
Love.
The four little letters, the single syllable held more meaning than any in the dictionary. The power and force of such an incredible feeling more electrifying than desire, more intense than need.
Although I felt all three when I was with Gabriel. Every night. Every day.
Every moment.
Passion.
Lust.
Both entirely insatiable.
He became my night and day, my breath and life, my very soul.
As I stood on the grassy knoll on the beautiful Ireland shore, the sky a perfect shade of blue, the clouds fluffy and white, I’d never felt a stronger emotion. While the group of guests was small, including Gabriel’s family and a few close friends, the support and joy was more than I could have hoped for.
On our wedding day.
I’d seen such tremendous change in the Gabriel since the horrible experience we’d been forced to go through. Gone was the heavy burden he’d carried for so many years, although I knew he would carry some level of guilt for the rest of his life. He was truly an honorable man. If only he would believe in himself.
The joy of seeing him with his family had been a true gift, a reminder that the spirit could never be completely crushed.
Not if you had a heart of gold.
He remained a combination of darkness and light, a man capable of extreme passion and utter brutality, but he’d also been set free from his self-imposed prison.
Would he remain dominating, requiring my full obedience?
Would he chain me to the bed at night, ravaging my body for hours?
Would he take me in any location he so desired?
I could only hope so.
I studied him, his face glowing even though his jaw was clenched. This time there was no formal suits, no long wedding dress. There was no need. As the minister brought our hands together, a rush of intense heat created a wetness between my legs.
I couldn’t wait for my wedding night.
“Alessandra. You are my light and my life, a woman capable of awakening my very heart and soul. I promise to honor and cherish you until time stands still, until the waters of the ocean are no more, and the skies no longer hold the sun. I love you with everything I am capable of as a man. You are my shining star and my salvation.”
As I held his hands, I could feel the basking warmth of the sun shining down, as if giving us a blessing, breaking the ugly curse.
“Gabriel,” I struggled, tears flowing down my cheeks. “You are the man who showed me courage and strength, love and honor. You are my protector and my soulmate, the only man I want to wake up to for the rest of my life. I love you in ways that no one could understand for you have given me your heart.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has put together, let no man put asunder.”
Gabriel gathered me into his arms, lifting my chin with a single finger before pressing his lips against mine.
As the doves were released, their beautiful sounds floating around us, I was finally at peace, ready to share a future.
With the man I loved.
* * *
As the afternoon sun moved into darkness, he carried me up the set of stairs leading to our bedroom. Gone was the hindrance of locks and separation, the feeling of being caged. Instead, I felt the glory of being in his arms. He was no longer horrified for me to touch his face, to stroke his scars that had been created on lies and secrets.
He eased me down onto the floor, the warm glow of