Claiming His Nine-Month Consequence

“Will you marry me, Ruby?” he asked quietly.

The diamond inside was dazzling. It was as big as an iceberg. But she didn’t care about the ring.

Lifting her gaze to his handsome face, Ruby felt her heart in her throat. Yes, oh, yes. To be Ares’s wife, now and forever? It was all she wanted. No matter how she’d tried to deny it. She wanted to be married to the man she loved, the man whose child she carried deep inside her. She wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.

“Yes,” she whispered.

He rose to his feet. “Yes?”

“Yes!” She flung her arms around him. For a long moment, they held each other. They stood on the beach together until the sun finally fell beyond the distant horizon, like a melting ball of fire.

Only the violet streaks remained across the fading twilight of the private Greek island, and the dark scarlet of the Ionian Sea, as he finally slid the ring over her finger.

Tearfully, she hugged him to her, kissing his cheeks, his lips. Wrapping his arms around her more tightly, he deepened their kiss into a long embrace.

But as he kissed her, the memory of his words intruded on her joy.

Perhaps I’ll learn to love you. Over time.

Fiercely, Ruby pushed her uneasiness away. They’d be happy. They would. Ares would learn to love her; he’d said it himself. If not, she could love him enough for both of them.

But even as Ruby kissed him passionately, the huge, platinum-set diamond felt heavy and cold on her hand.

* * *

Ruby stared at herself in the mirror.

“You look so beautiful,” her little sister breathed, peeking behind her. Ivy’s eyes were filled with tears. “I can’t believe you’re getting married today.”

Ruby took a deep breath. Her long dark hair was curled in long ringlets, courtesy of Ivy, and decorated with tiny pink roses. She’d done her own makeup. Ares had offered to call an entire team of stylists, if she’d wanted, but Ruby preferred to do it herself. Wanda, the owner of her favorite vintage shop in the Meatpacking District, had helped her choose a beaded cream dress as her wedding gown.

In the three days since they’d returned to New York, Ruby had thrown together a simple wedding. Nothing fancy, just a small ceremony attended by a few friends, including Ivy, who’d been whisked from Idaho via Ares’s private jet. Flowers had been ordered from the shop on the corner. Mrs. Ford was doing the food. And as for the venue…

A smile lifted Ruby’s lips. Finally, the mansion’s ballroom would actually be useful.

Holding out the bridal bouquet of pink roses, Ivy wiped her tears with her shoulder. “I just wish Mom could be here.”

Ruby took the bouquet, her eyes welling in turn. “So do I.”

“Maybe she is.” Ivy gave her a tearful smile. “When I think of that ridiculous plan I once had to seduce Ares, just because I was worried about our bills…” She shook her head. “I was a fool. Thank you for stopping me. But at least one good thing came of it. He got the chance to meet you. And now I’m going to be an auntie.” She looked fondly at Ruby’s belly. “Someday I hope to fall madly, recklessly in love like you.”

“You do?”

“I can hear your love for him in your voice, every time you say his name. And I’m sure he feels the same. You’d never settle for less.”

Ruby felt a chill beneath the beautiful wedding gown. “Um.”

“I’m so happy. No one deserves love more.” Her little sister hugged her fiercely. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.”

After Ivy headed downstairs to join the other guests, Ruby took a deep breath, looking at herself one last time in the bedroom mirror. Next time she returned here, she would be Mrs. Ares Kourakis.

“He’ll learn to love me,” she told herself fiercely. “Everything will be fine.”

But her reflection didn’t look so sure.

Skipping the elevator, Ruby walked slowly down the stairs in her chic little white booties, one flight after another, trying to calm her pounding heart. He will love me, she repeated to herself as she walked. I know he will.

She stopped in the doorway of the gorgeous high-ceilinged ballroom, decorated with flowers. Then, with a deep breath, she entered, holding her head high.