Raffy's POV

My heart swelled with happiness as I stared at Iya. All that weight that grew in my chest ever since she decided to dump my ass off finally deflated, and I never felt so contented, genuinely happy, and complete.

In a few minutes, she'll be my wife, my duchess, and mine forever.

My chin unconsciously tipped up with pride. "What are you thinking?" Iya asked as she narrowed our gap, hand curled around my neck, and I love the feeling of it every time she does it. A possessive action that I can get used to it. Her gaze swept my face, a subtle crease wedging between her eyebrows.

I smiled, pulling her closer to me. My hands tightening around her, holding her possessively. "Just thinking how lucky bastard I am," I grinned, holding her intense gaze as I spoke, barely above a whisper. Words seem like a liquid of lust rolling out of my tongue. My voice sounded needy, thick and hoarse.

Flush tainted her cheeks, her eyes darkened a shade, though she's still wearing that smile, a tinge of pride in it. "So Am I," she murmured almost breathily.

And her response only made my heart swelled with happiness.

Passion filled her eyes, the intensity of her gaze roused that fire I was trying to keep a tight reign. Since after I get a taste of her, it's difficult to keep my brain not getting muddled whenever she's around.

I ignored the intense desires calling me. "Are you ready?" I asked, keeping my eyes off her bed. Otherwise, I might be tempted to drag her to her bed, and maybe honeymoon comes first before the wedding, but then I told myself again, she always wanted to be a virgin bride.

Iya grinned, bobbing her head up and down vigorously. "Very much," she beamed, her grin widened. The excitement was written all over her face. She looked thoroughly rested, and I'm glad that she slept well.

I didn't sleep on the plane. I was watching her like a lovesick fool. I had to force to keep my hands to myself and let her rest. It was hard, especially when she looks like an angel with her eyes closed.

It will just be a few hours, and I don't have to suffer from blue ball again.

"Let's go!" Iya tugged me by the hand, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I just smiled as she led me out of her room. We stayed at the Penthouse of one of Iya's dad's hotels, it has five big bedrooms, an entertainment room, huge living room, a kitchen, and a beautiful panoramic view, overlooking Las Vegas proper.

As much as I want to sleep in her room, I decided against it. What are a few hours to wait, she'll be my wife soon, and nothing will set us apart. Well, of course, except death.

She locked the double door securely, and then we walked side by side towards the lift. There were two lifts. The left one dinged, and the door slides open. I let her go in first as I eyed her back, taking in her stunning look.

She was wearing a white lace mini long sleeve dress that passed her mid-thigh with a cut out back, and crochet sleeve cuff and hem. The dress looked simply amazing on her, with her ivory white stilettos, I had to ignore the aching need in my loins and forced to peel my eyes off her long, toned legs.

Oh, how I love to run my lips along her flawless, creamy legs.

Dammit!

I stepped into the metal box, then punched the L button. The machine moved smoothly downward.

"I know what are you thinking. I don't have many white dresses. This is the only white dress I saw in my wardrobe," she randomly said as she turned and faced me. I stood next to her and caught her gaze. I caught her lips pushed downward into a pout.

I gave her cute nose a soft tap. "You look every inch of a Duchess," I reassured, and I mean every word. "My Duchess," I smiled at her, and she leaned her cheeks against my chest as she let out a contented sigh.

My hand curled around her instinctively and pulled her closer, pressing my lips on the top of her head. She even smelled sweet and tempting, and each second is an agony.

A soft groan left my lips unconsciously. She pulled herself a little and looked up to meet my gaze, frowning at me.

"Is something wrong?" she queried.

I shook my head. "Nothing," I beamed.

She leaned her head back against my side, and I hug her tight, her heavenly smell, so feminine tickling my nostril; it wasn't helping my testosterone rising and clouding my head.

It will just be a few minutes, Raffy.

"What few minutes?" Iya pushed herself away and frowned at me.

I didn't know I said it aloud.

Her amused expression caused me to chuckle. Iya giggled. " Your Grace, I didn't know you have a habit of talking to yourself," she chuckled. Her shoulders shaking, "Interesting," she grinned, utterly amused.

The elevator pinged, and she stepped out first. I followed her, chuckling softly to myself.

I strode to her side, and my hand found her small back, leading her to the white limo waiting at the entrance door.

Not very long, the limo moved along Las Vegas strip. The limo rolled slower when we are approaching the white chapel. It turned into the drive-thru tunnel, they call it, Tunnel of Love, but it looks like a garage for me. With a ceiling adorned with cherubs and sparkling starlights, they did try hard to make it perhaps romantic, but who Am I to complain?

When the lady Anne found out it was the Duke of Pushkin, she became frantic. She told Osvaldo, she'll take care of everything and I was glad. Osvaldo admonished her to keep it discreet, which I'm hoping she'll follow. We got our marriage license a couple of hours ago. We had to go back to the hotel so she can get ready.

The limo stopped. A woman in her black office suit peered through the door, and her smile broadened. "Your Grace," she greeted, shifting her gaze to Natalia "Miss Natalia Petropoulis," —bowing slightly— "I'm Anne Conway."

Natalia gave my hand a squeeze. I was holding her hand the whole ride. I gaze at her, and she gave me a grin. Her eyes sparkled like the sheen of morning dew on blue miracle flower; it warmed my heart.

The minister then came and stood next to the open door, in his priestly attire, rather flashy in gold color. "Well, we are here today to celebrate with His Grace, Rafael Benedict Valiente and Miss Natalia Petropoulis and important moments in your lives, and the tenets you have been together. Your love, your understanding of each other's growth, and now you two have decided to share every laughs as husband and wife, but real love goes beyond the excitement of being in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner ..." the words of the minister faded as I gaze at her. Her eyes glistened, every trace of amusement in her face gone. The short ceremony became all too serious and solemn, and I felt the moisture building up under my eyelids.

Our eyes locked, everything around us dispersed. They turned a foggy black and then there's only her. Even the flashes of cameras was a blur.

This is it. The woman who completes me will be my wife in a few minutes. That overwhelming happiness that flooded within me had triggered my tear ducts, opened it and let tears flows, blurring my vision. I felt choking as I forced to hold it back.

"Do you have your vows, Your Grace?" the enthusiastic voice of the minister pulled me out of my trance.

"Yes," I said, rather choked out. I swallowed hard as I started pouring my emotions out, oblivious of the audience who gathered around the limo, flashes of cameras here and there.

Pulling the box hidden in the pocket of my white coat, I opened it, an heirloom wedding ring that matches her engagement ring sparkled. The other ring was from my great, great grandfathers, an emperor. Grandpa gave it to me with the engagement ring, all together.

Taking the ring that used to be my empress great grandmother, I unfolded the black velvet jewelry box close. The minister took the box and gave me a single nod.

I took Iya's left hand, my eyes staring lovingly at her. "My Pumpkin, I knew it instantly when I saw those pair of Sapphire pools that you will be the woman that I would want to spend my life with. Your pure heart and your innocence sealed the deal. You are everything a man would dream of to be a wife, and I am so lucky you I found you, and you are mine. From this day on, I will use every minute to make up with you all that I've done in the past. I will use every single second to erase every ounce of doubts in your heart." —slowly easing the ring on her ring finger— "I will love you, cherish you, and treasure every moment with you. And I promise you, my heart will always be yours. You are my soulmate. I love you so much, Natalia Petropoulis, and will always be until my last breath." Pulling her hand up to my lips, I placed a kiss on her knuckles.

When I meet her eyes, they were glistening.

The minister gave the box to me, and I opened it and hand the other ring to Iya. "Do you have your vows, Ms. Petropoulis?" The minister asked.

Iya nodded her head, shifted in her seat to face me and took my left hand. Iya smiled, her lips quivered, then she drew in deep breaths before opening her pretty mouth that I've been longing to give a kiss since we left the hotel, but I don't want to ruin her cherry red lipsticks. "I take that promise, and I will do my best to keep you happy, so you will not be wandering somewhere else," she playfully glares, then giggled. The minister chuckled, and so were the two women behind him. She turned serious as she works on the ring. "From the very first time I met you, I knew I wouldn't look at another man the way I looked at you. You had my heart thumping like a drum, and I have no plans of looking for another. Either you or none. I love you so much and will always be until my last breath!" She pushed the ring on my left ring finger.

I heard faint claps in the background, but I couldn't tear my eyes off her. "Hold on to each other's hands once again as you look into each other's," the minister said, and I did. Taking her hand with mine, my eyes fogging eyes locked on hers. "So today, you're beginning a beautiful journey, it's a new chapter of your relationship is the journey of marriage. So do three things, number one is communicate. Say I love you as much as you can sometimes. In marriage you can have disagreement sometimes, you're going to get frustrated, I've been married for fifteen years, things happen," the minister said. Natalia shifted her gaze to him before drifting it back to me. "But your remedy is talk about it then forgive one another which simply means to give each other at cleans slate. Make sure you laugh, it releases stress in your body it does the same thing in your marriage. Celebrate life together and have fun. And number three, love. Unconditionally and selflessly. Don't let anyone come in between your marriage, let love be your anchor no matter what is your faith, it will pull you through every storm. So as you begin this beautiful journey today; love, laugh, and communicate, by doing these three simple things you will enjoy a long and prosperous marriage together." The minister looked down at the paper he was holding before looking back at me then shifted it to Natalia. "Now that you two have consented together in matrimony, you've exchanged your rings and your vows, by the laws and authority of the state of Nevada, it's my honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife. Your Grace, you may now kiss your wife." The loud claps dissipated in my hearing paths as I leaned in and finally kiss my Pumpkin and now my wife.

Her lips tasted of cherries. Now that I've kissed her, oh the agony. I painfully pulled my lips away, and she opened her eyes to look at me. "I love you," she murmured. Her gaze dropped to my lips, and she chuckled softly. Lifting her thumb and place it over my lips. "My lipstick is all over your mouth," she giggled.

I wiped away the smudges of lipsticks with my thumb as she did mine. "I love you," I whispered, then gave her another brief kiss.

....

Iya's POV

As soon as we got our marriage license, we decided to have lunch at a fine dining restaurant. I could tell that Raffy is very anxious and I kind of have an idea what's making him so antsy, and I'm enjoying his agony quite honestly. Though I'm excited about our honeymoon, I didn't give him a hint about that. I'd like to watch him all anxious.

"Are you alright, babe?" I asked.

The waitress who's serving us today just left with our orders. As soon as she turned her back at us, I trained my eyes at Raffy. He occasionally shifts in his seat, his face a little disgruntled.

A spark of mischief glinted in his eyes as he leaned his back against the backrest of the plush white chair. He eyed me for a moment. An eyebrow lifted as I waited for his words. "I think our honeymoon will have to be postponed," he said, giving me a rueful smile.

My face fell.

"But why?" I asked I sounded whiny to my dismay.

"Osvaldo emailed me. Grandpa summoned the police to search for us. He claimed that we are kidnapped." My eyes widened as the words finally sunk in my slow processing brain.

"He's a sly old man, isn't he?" I slumped my back against the backrest, my arms crossed over my chest.

Raffy chuckled humorlessly. "You have no idea!" he murmured before grabbing his wine and took a sip.

"Are you buying it?" I asked, sitting upright, resting my forearms on either side of the square table.

He lifted his broad shoulders in a half shrug. The white tailored suit made him look even more gorgeous if that's possible. I saw how those women gawk at him as we stepped inside into the building. Their dreamy eyes turning envy as they shifted it to me.

Raffy took his time sipping his wine, looking at me over the rim of his glass.

Placing his glass down on the table "I know he planned this again, but I don't want some Police come barging in our suite," he explained.

I groaned, emitted a laborious and peeved sigh. Raffy sat upright and reached for my hands. He gave it a squeeze. "You look absolutely gorgeous today, my Duchess," he smiled, pulling my hands to his lips and gave each a kiss.

Unable to control my irritation, I made a quite unladylike huff as I pulled my hands gently out of Raffy's hold, then leaned back.

The waitress came back with our food. The smell of the king crab capellini drifted my attention away temporarily.

"Thank you." I smiled at Kaitlyn, our waitress. A slimmer version of Melissa McCarthy, no offense to Melissa. She's absolutely gorgeous, big or not.

As soon as she left us, I dug in quietly, but the notion of our disrupt honeymoon lingering in my head.

Raffy ate quietly as well.

A soft groan escaped my lips as I broke the silence. "What about our honeymoon?" I asked sulkily, staring at my chilled flute. Moist covered the tall and slim glass, some dripping along the thin stem and rest on its sturdy base.

"We have twenty-four hours in the plane, Pumpkin," he drawled. A grin broke out on his lips. "After our ball wedding, I was thinking Hawaii for a week honeymoon, or anywhere you'd like to go?" he said.

Hawaii is fun. "I'd love to go to Hawaii, though I've been there already," I replied, nodding my head as I grabbed my flute and took a sip.

Honestly, I've always wanted to go to Tuscany with Raffy. Mom is from Italy and Tuscany is my favorite place. I want to spend my honeymoon there for sure.

"I've been to places since dad doesn't want us to stay home when he was needed, but Tuscany has a very special place in my heart."

"Then we leave to Tuscany after our wedding," he agreed.

A broad smile plastered on my face. Excitement filled me, and I can't wait for that day. I've been thinking of a Tuscany getaway with him. He was too busy with his responsibilities as a Duke that I'd always told myself to ask him later, and it never happened.

"What would you like to do after lunch?" he asked interrupting me with my thoughts.

I want you to ravish me. "I'm tired. I just want to sit next to you, cuddle and watch a movie." It's pretty close to what I want. And it might lead to it.

"Won't you ask me what I want to do?" Raffy asked after a while.

I cocked my eyebrow.

He grinned.

"What do you want to do?" I asked.

A small mischievous smile playing on the corner of his mouth. "We have roughly twenty-four hours in the plane. How about a honeymoon in the plane?" he asked. His lips curling up in a grin as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. He didn't break our gaze either.

My skin suddenly felt tingly and tiny bolts of electricity rushed down my spine. Heat pooled low in my belly. I think I've had have drained all my saliva from swallowing hard.

"Shall we leave now?" I asked, catching a glimpse of our waitress approaching our table with the small machine in her hands with our bills.

Raffy just gave me a knowing smile before craning his head to look at Kaitlyn standing next to him. Kaitlyn smiled at me, and I returned it with a friendly one.

"Did you guys just got married?" she asked, her eyes trained on me.

I nodded with a broad smile, rather silly smile. "Yes," I hold back the squeal that was threatening to burst out.

"Fun!" she exclaimed. "At the White Chapel?" she asked.

I nodded my head again. "That's very famous Chapel. Marilyn Monroe married in that Chapel," she said enthusiastically.

She's like a ball of energy. About eighteen to twenty of age. "That's my dream wedding. I know it's not grand, but it's less stress. And I know a few who got married there and still together until now," she blabbered.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. She bobbed her head up and down, eyes twinkling.

Raffy handed the machine back to her, and the black leather bill holder then rose from his seat. "Thank you, sir, ma'am!" Kaitlyn smiled sweetly taking the machine back. "Congratulations to both of you! Wishing you both a long happy marriage," she said before turning on her heel and struts off.

We head back to the hotel. I felt like I'm floating with all of these overwhelming events. I'm already Mrs. Valiente. The sounds of it made my heart warm. Just a few days ago, I lost hope of him, and now, he's my husband. Mine forever.

I can't stop smiling until we get back inside the limo. As soon as it hit the road, Raffy's phone rang. "Speak," he answered.

He turned his head to me then handed the phone to me. I left my phone back in the penthouse since I don't want to carry anything with me.

Confused, I took the phone and place it close to my ear. "Hello," I said, staring at Raffy who looked confused as I am.

"Iya!" came Angelik's frantic voice. My face crumpled with curiosity.

"Are you okay?" I asked. She sounded worried rather lost.

"No! I'm not okay!" she snapped.

"Then tell me!" I snapped back.

"Go to hell!" she yelled at the background then followed by shuffling sounds.

I became all the more curious what's going on. It seemed that Max and Angelik were fighting. I could feel the anger radiating off the line.

"Dad and mom, well, the whole gang are here in New York and—" she stopped and took in a sharp, harsh deep breath. "Dad caught Max and I sleeping together."

"WHAT?" I exclaimed loudly, causing Raffy to looked at me with deep curiosity.

"Max and I just got married!" she cried out.

"Oh God!" I murmured slumping my back against the backrest of the seat. "And now, he hated me. He thought I set him up! God, he's such a jerk. Did he thinks I wanted this too?"

"Oh, that is messed up," I muttered, holding back the growing amusement bubbling up in my system. I know I shouldn't find it hilarious, but I can't help it.

Biting my lower lip to stifle the giggle that's threatening to burst, I spoke. "You should relax and think of what are you gonna do next," I said.

Angelik was breathing hard, I could tell she's agitated. "Should you be happy? You love Max ever since—"

"He doesn't love me. The heck I would let him walk all over me just because I love him. I'm not a martyr to let someone even as gorgeous as Maximillian to humiliate me and treat me with no respect!" she grumbled.

"Divorce him?" I said rather suggested. Unsure of what to tell her. She's the love guru, not me.

"Oh, I wish!" she hissed. "Dad already made his decision. He's sending us to Italy for two weeks honeymoon!" she cried out.

I suddenly got excited. "We are spending our honeymoon there, too!" I squealed.

"That reminds me of the reason why I called you. I've been ringing your phone for several times by the way." —Her voice sharpening— "I'm glad I still have His Grace's number. "Where are you?" her voice rising.

"Oh!" I bit my lower lip.

"It's very unusual for you unattended of your phone," she ranted.

"Las Vegas," I answered briefly.

I felt Raffy's hand circled around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He leaned his head against the side of my head, and I leaned it against him, too. "What are you doing in Las Vegas? You are getting married in two days?" she asked. "I apologize by the way. I can't come," she rolled over my attempt of responding. "Tomorrow, we are leaving. Dad was furious, and he won't take any shit from me. Alexandrous and Alexandrine were here too, both are livid. They accused Max, a traitor, that's why Max was so mad at me." Angelik released a remorseful sigh.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I murmured. "And it's fine, Angel. I hope you'll sort things out, and be happy."

I honestly felt sorry for her. "Ah, I miss you guys. Whatever you're there for, I hope you have fun. I'll see you maybe after the hell-neymoon."

I giggled at the last word.

"Bye, Mrs. Demakis," I said, and I heard her groaned before ending the call.

"Mrs. Demakis?" Raffy said turning his head to meet my eyes.

"Yes. A shotgun wedding," I chuckled. "Poor Angelik. Now, Max is mad," I murmured. (Those were some of the few choices for the title fitting their love story.)

"They've been together for a while now, it's not bad, is it?" Raffy said.

I didn't know that he actually knew something, but not as much as I am aware. I just nodded my head. Some things needed to be kept because it is best friend's secrets.

Raffy chuckled.

.....

Smutt coming next before the Epilogue.