Chapter 16 The Wedding Night
WARNING: MATURE CONTENT
They drove to the magnificent estate Alexander had gifted them. Evelyn was absolutely breathless as they approached, while the exterior appeared elegantly understated, it was clearly worth millions, with panoramic views and extensive manicured gardens filled with blooming flowers. The sight made her smile with genuine pleasure.
Roman watched her reaction with satisfaction, then took her hand and led her inside. The household staff Alexander had arranged were waiting in perfect formation. The head housekeeper, a dignified woman named Mrs. Chen, introduced herself and offered to show them to their quarters.
The butler who had followed them from Alexander's estate observed everything closely. Sensing his scrutiny, Roman smoothly wrapped his arm around Evelyn's waist, drawing her close against his side. She gasped softly at the unexpected contact.
Roman leaned down to whisper in her ear, "We're being watched. Follow my lead."
Understanding immediately, Evelyn even rose up on her tiptoes to place a tender kiss on his cheek. Roman's lips curved in a pleased smile. Seeing this intimate exchange, the butler chuckled quietly to himself and looked away, completely satisfied that the newlyweds were genuinely devoted to each other.
Mrs. Chen led them upstairs to the master suite, handed them the keys, and discreetly withdrew, leaving them alone at the threshold of their new shared space.
Inside, the bedroom had been transformed into a romantic paradise. Rose petals were artfully scattered across the bed, spelling out "Eternal Happiness." Candles flickered throughout the room, and more petals created a heart-shaped path leading to the bed. Roman shook his head with an amused smile, his father truly never did anything halfway.
"Why don't you freshen up?" Roman suggested gently. "The wardrobe should be fully stocked with everything you need."
Evelyn nodded and went to check, her heart racing with anticipation and nervousness about what the evening might bring.
When she opened the wardrobe, she discovered no modest nightwear whatsoever. Instead, there were only delicate silk nightgowns, most of them daringly low-cut and barely covering mid-thigh. Blushing furiously, she selected the most conservative option—though it still came with a matching silk robe that provided minimal coverage.
The bathroom had also been prepared romantically, with rose petals floating in the bathtub and an expensive bottle of champagne chilling nearby. 'Who knew Alexander was such a romantic mastermind?' she thought, unsure whether to laugh or hide in embarrassment.
After a long, relaxing bath, she emerged wearing the short silk gown and matching robe. Roman was already waiting, his hair still damp from his own shower in the adjoining bathroom, wearing comfortable navy pajama pants and nothing else.
"Let me dry your hair," he offered, picking up the luxury hair dryer from the vanity.
"I can manage myself—"
"I want to," he said with gentle firmness that brooked no argument.
She sat quietly as he carefully dried her hair, his touch surprisingly gentle and skilled as he worked the dryer through her damp strands. She couldn't help wondering if he'd done this intimate task for other women before.
When he finished, he turned her chair to face him directly.
"Lyn," he said, his voice noticeably deeper than usual.
She looked up into his eyes. They had darkened considerably, his gaze traveling slowly from her face downward to where her robe had fallen partially open, revealing her bare thighs. Evelyn felt a wave of warmth spread through her entire body.
He gently pulled her to her feet, his hands on her shoulders. "May I?" he asked softly.
She knew exactly what he was asking. Her face grew hot with embarrassment and desire. She placed her hands against his chest, creating a small barrier between them. "It feels too soon. I'm not ready." She added nervously, "And your father believes I'm pregnant already... so he would understand if we didn't..."
Roman stepped closer, backing her slowly until she felt the cool wall against her back. He placed one hand beside her head, leaning in close.
"This has nothing to do with my father," he murmured, his warm breath caressing her skin. "I'm asking as your husband. As a man who wants to truly claim his wife on their wedding night."
Another surge of heat rushed through her body. She pressed her thighs together, overwhelmed by the desire pooling low in her stomach.
Seeing her internal struggle, Roman leaned closer. His lips barely brushed her ear as he whispered, "Give yourself to me tonight. Let me show you pleasure you've never imagined."
He gently bit her earlobe. “Hmm?” he pressed on.
Evelyn's mind went completely hazy, overwhelmed by sensation. With the last shred of her rational thought, she tried to push against him, but her effort was embarrassingly weak.
Roman didn't retreat. Instead, he continued his gentle assault, whispering, "You said you felt guilty about not having a wedding gift for me." He pressed soft kisses along the column of her neck. "I know exactly what I want from you, Evelyn."
"What... what do you want? I'll get you anything..." she breathed out, though she already knew his answer.
He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into hers. "You know what I want. I want you, completely and utterly, darling."
His fingers found the silk tie of her robe, loosening it slowly as he continued trailing kisses across her sensitive skin. "Give yourself to me," he murmured between kisses. "I promise you'll feel so good. Let me have you, hmm? Just let go for me, say yes darling."
Evelyn's resistance crumbled under his skillful touch and seductive words. Her legs felt weak, her breathing becoming shallow and rapid as she began surrendering to the exquisite sensations he was creating.
The silk robe slipped from her shoulders and pooled at her feet like liquid. Cool air caressed her skin, but it was nothing compared to the intense heat radiating from Roman's powerful body as he pressed closer, gently trapping her against the wall.
His mouth found the sensitive hollow beneath her ear, then traced a path of open-mouthed kisses that made her knees tremble uncontrollably. One of his hands slowly slid down her arm until his fingers intertwined with hers, lifting her hand to press it flat against the wall beside her head.
"Evelyn," he said her name like a prayer, his voice rough with desire. "Look at me."
She obeyed, meeting his gaze. His eyes were almost black in the candlelight, his pupils dilated with raw hunger and barely contained passion.
"I've wanted you again since that night," he confessed softly.
Her breath caught in her throat. "Roman..."
"I'm not asking because it's expected or required," he continued, his thumb tracing across her trembling lower lip. "I'm asking because if I don't make love to you tonight, I think I might lose what's left of my sanity."
Roman's gaze roamed over her possessively, as if she were a masterpiece he was finally allowed to worship.
He didn't move immediately, just looked at her with such intensity that her breath came in shallow pants.
"You're trembling," he observed, his thumb tracing the delicate line of her collarbone before stopping just above her racing pulse. "Still frightened, my beautiful wife?"
Evelyn swallowed hard. "I... I don't know what I'm supposed to feel or do."
He leaned closer, his lips barely brushing the corner of her mouth—not quite a kiss, but a promise of what was to come.
"Then let me be your guide."
His hands slid to her waist, lifting her effortlessly until her legs instinctively wrapped around his hips. Her back pressed against the cool wall again, but this time the thin silk of her nightgown rode higher, and she could feel exactly how much he wanted her pressing hot and insistent against her most intimate places.
A startled moan escaped her lips as the reality of his desire became unmistakably clear.
Roman groaned against her neck. "Do you feel how much your husband wants you?" He rocked his hips once, slowly, deliberately. "That's what you do to me, Evelyn. What you've been doing to me for years just thinking about you."
He carried her the short distance to their bed, laying her down among the scattered rose petals as if she were something infinitely precious. The intoxicating scent surrounded them, but nothing could compare to the magnetic pull of the man above her.
Her body betrayed her, craving him despite her fear.
"That night we were together," he rasped against her neck, "you were so responsive, so perfect, even when you didn't know who I was. Tonight, I want you to know exactly whose arms you're in. I want you to remember every moment of belonging to me."
The promise in his words sent shivers of anticipation through her entire body, and Evelyn prepared herself for what was to come next.