Dark Redemption by Elle Bright

for
you.
             
“I know I’ve asked you once before, but so much has changed since then. You’ve changed and so have I. I’ve already lost you once.
And I never want to do that again.
             
“No more secrets. No more lies. I kneel before you tonight as a man with
nothing to offer you but my heart, my soul, and the promise that I will love
you with every breath that I take for the rest of our lives.
             
“Kate, will you marry me?”
             
Tears stung Kate’s eyes. “I’ve never wanted anything more,” she breathed, her
heart thundering in her chest.
             
Kate didn’t need the roses and the candles of his original proposal. She didn’t
need the flowery words of a Hallmark card. She didn’t need the big fairytale
wedding she’d imagined as a young girl. All she needed was this man and his
love. So long as he was the groom, she’d gladly be the bride. Anytime, anyplace.
             
Kate threw her arms around his neck, colliding with the unyielding wall of his
chest. Dominic cradled her against him as he rose to his feet. Their lips met
and they melted into one another. A firestorm of passion swirled within her as
they kissed, a tempest of heat and emotion, desire and
love.
             
Straining to be closer to him, to be part of him, Kate wrapped her legs around
Dominic’s waist. She wanted him inside her, wanted to be as close as possible.
Her tongue delved into the sweet depths of his mouth, tasting and savoring him
as he made love to her mouth with his lips and tongue.
             
Dominic broke away with a throaty chuckle, heat and arousal shining in his dark
chocolate eyes. “Save it for the honeymoon, cara .”
             
Gasping with uneven, labored breaths, Kate growled in frustration. “When?” She didn’t want to wait. She wanted him now .
It didn’t matter how blasphemous it might be to fornicate against the wall of a
church, she’d gladly risk it here and now.
             
Dominic’s delight in her eagerness was more than evident as a smile spread
across his face. “How about now?”
              “Now?” Kate gaped at him in shock. She’d imagined
their wedding in so many ways, but never with her wearing faded skinny jeans, a hoodie , and dusty sneakers. Then again, she’d wear a
burlap sack for a wedding dress, so long as she got Dominic out of the deal.
She swiped at her hair in an effort to tame the windblown mess, then shrugged. What the hell. “Okay.”
             
Dominic grinned. “Really?”
             
Kate nodded. “Yeah, let’s do this.”
             
Taking her by the hand, Dominic led her around to a door at the side of the
church. He knocked once, then pushed the heavy wooden
door aside. The light from inside flooded from the opening and Dominic stepped
aside, gesturing for Kate to enter the room ahead of him. It was a tastefully
appointed sitting room, decorated in light, neutral colors. Though the church
appeared to be part of an archaic cave-like structure of stone, it had been
beautifully renovated at some point in time.
             
“Gianna and Lindsey will take care of you from here,” Dominic said, pressing a
kiss to her hand before releasing it. “I’ll see you at the altar, cara .”
             
Kate watched his retreating back in stunned silence. Did he say Lindsey?
             
“Kate Gertrude Murdock, stop staring after that man like he’s the last piece of
chocolate in the world. You get over here right now and give your best friend a
hug,” a familiar voice teased from behind her. Kate’s heart thrilled. Lindsey!
             
Tugging the door closed behind her, Kate turned with a grin. “You know I don’t
have a middle name, Linz.”
             
The tiny blonde returned her smile. “Well, you know me, if nothing else, I’m
adaptable. Besides, Gertrude is such a lovely