Chapter 40

Draco POV

I cannot believe she finally said yes to me. I have waited so long for this moment for us. I hate that the only priest I can find is in the city. I hope if I offer him enough money he will come to a hotel outside of the city and marry us there, if not I will protect her.

There isn’t a threat to her anymore. Craig is dead. I made sure of that myself. He cannot come after her. She still fears him. I understand these feelings she has of fear. I cannot say that I would not be the same way if I was in her shoes.

Tatina has developed into the strongest person I have ever known. She walks into auction houses and slave houses. She destroys the idiots that hurt women. She is fearless except for the one fear she is still trying to get past.

I pack us a small bag for the night. I let her relax while I grab us a few things. We can eat when we get there. She doesn’t really want to eat my horrible cooking, it was a test to see if I would do as she asked. She can say what she wants but I know she was only trying to see how serious I was about tonight.

I text the staff to let them know there is a lot of food here, if it’s edible eat it, if not throw it out. I grab the wedding rings I purchased for us out of my nightstand drawer and the overnight bag and head to her.

She is still sitting at the table. “You know you look like a bride tonight,” I say to her.

“I will need clothes for tomorrow,” Tatina says.

I pat the bag hanging from my shoulder. “I handled everything,” I say to her.

“What about wedding rings,” She asks.

“I handled that also,” I say.

“What about all of this food?” Tatina asks.

“Well, I text the staff, everything is handled if you want to quit stalling,” I say.

“I haven’t called the hotel yet,” Tatina says.

“You can do that in the car,” I say.

“I guess it is settled then, we are getting married,” Tatina says.

“Not if you don’t want to marry me,” I say.

“Yes, I do. Now let’s do this,” Tatina says.

She gets up from the table. She grabs a bottle of wine from the table. “For the road,” Tatina says.

“I want you sober when you say I do,” I say to her.

“I will be, but it is for my nerves,” Tatina says.

“Okay, but you cannot drink the entire bottle. After we are married we will get a bottle of champagne to celebrate,” I say to her.

“After we are married you are going to make love to me as my husband before we do anything else,” Tatina says.

“I can live with those conditions,” I say to her.

I open the front door for her. She walks out of the house to the car and waits for me to open the door.

“My beautiful lady,” I say as I open the car door.

I throw the bag in the trunk and get into the car.

I start the car. “You know you have made me happier than I ever thought possible,” I say to her.

“You have me as well,” Tatina says.

We drive to the outskirts of New Orleans. I am careful not to get too close to the city. I do not want her to even have to look at it.

I pull into the hotel. We give the car to the valet and head to check in to our room.

“Is he going to come here?” Tatina asks.

“Yes, money always talks my dear,” I say to her.

This is not entirely true, I reminded Father Malone how Tatina had saved his niece after that he canceled his plans and made arrangements to come to the hotel himself.

“Are you up to something?” Tatina asks me.

“No I was only thinking about how I cannot wait to be inside you,” I say to her.

“Pervert,” she says as she smacks me on the ass.

“Who is the pervert now,” I say to her.

When we get to the room, I call Father Malone to let him know what room we are in at the hotel.

“He will be here in twenty minutes,” I tell Tatina.

“Good, let’s make this quick. I have plans for you tonight,” Tatina says.

“You do, why don’t you tell me about it while we wait on the priest,” I say to her.

“No sir, I am a lady. What I want to do to you is very unladylike,” Tatina says.

She is feeling playful tonight and I love it. I pull her into my arms and hold her. I kiss her forehead.

“I love you,” I say to her.

“I love you too,” Tatina says.

“We can take some time off to just be together if you want for a little while,” I say to her. I stroke her hair and rub her back. She needs time off.

“We cannot do that for long. Maybe a few days, but you know there are people who need us,” Tatina says.

“What about you? You never think about yourself.” I say to her.

“I am fine, Draco. I need to work. It keeps my mind occupied,” Tatina says.

“I promise if we take a few weeks of that I will keep you very occupied,” I say to her.

“Well, then, I may have to take you up on that offer,” Tatina says.

There is a knock on the door interrupting our moment.

“Last chance to back out,” I say.

“Never, you are stuck with me now,” Tatina says.

“I am serious. If you want to change your mind do it now. I will not be angry. We can make love all night and get up in the morning and go back to the way we were. I would be upset but I only want you to do this if you are sure,” I say to her.

“I am positive. I wasn’t sure earlier but I am now,” Tatina says.

She goes to open the door to let the priest into our room. In only a few moments she will be my wife.