The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 449

"My love for you is the one thing that will never change. If I ever betray you, may I meet a miserable end."

"Don't say things like that." Nicole covered his mouth with her hand. Looking up, her eyes landed on the couple's portrait, which they had taken in wedding attire, hanging on the opposite wall. The sight of their happy faces in the photo only made her heart ache more.

"Jasper, do you have any wine? I want a drink."

"Why now?"

"I want to do a crossed-arm toast with you."

Jasper paused, then reached out to stroke her cheek. "Wait here."

He returned shortly with a bottle of red wine and poured two glasses.

"Nicole," he murmured.

She swirled the wine in her glass, her gaze fixed intensely on him. "Jasper, if we drink this way... I'll consider myself married to you."

They intertwined their arms and drank. As the crystal glasses emptied, Nicole's eyes grew red. She felt a haunting premonition that their future together would never be whole.

"Nicole, you are the only wife I will ever have. I promise you that."

If it wasn't her, he would remain alone for the rest of his life.

The words hung in the air as they leaned into a kiss, the sweet aroma of red wine lingering between them. The atmosphere grew heavy with tension, their breathing turning shallow and ragged.

"Nicole," Jasper groaned, "I really don't want to have to take a cold bath tonight."

"Then don't," she whispered.

Jasper froze for a split second before his lips crashed back onto hers. Clothes soon lay forgotten on the floor.

"Nicole, are you sure? No regrets?" Jasper asked.

"No regrets," she whispered.

He didn't hesitate any longer, his kisses trailing slowly downward. "I love you, Nicole."

He paused for a moment, looking at her. "Nicole, if we ever lose each other in the future, let's make a pact. Let's go back to the ski resort where we first made things official every Valentine's Day. Okay?"

"Okay," she promised.

"Good girl."

A moment passed, and Nicole's voice was small. "Why... why did you stop?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she covered her eyes in embarrassment.

Good god, just strike me down now!

Jasper chuckled softly. "Are you doubting me?"

"No, I just... I was afraid you didn't know what you were doing."

"And you do?"

"You talk too much," she countered, pulling him down to silence him with a kiss.

In that room, filled with warmth and tenderness, they finally became one.

Later, Jasper held her close, pressing a lingering, affectionate kiss to her cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Mhm." Nicole didn't quite know what had possessed her to agree to this, but she didn't regret it for a second.

"Nicole, have you made up your mind?"

"About what?"

Listening to the rustle of clothes behind him, Jasper couldn't help but swallow hard. The sweetness of what had just happened rushed back to him.

He was finally Nicole's man.

"I'm done. I'm going downstairs first," Nicole said. Her cheeks flushed at the memory of their intimacy, and she tried to hurry out of the room.

Her legs suddenly gave way, but Jasper was there in an instant to steady her. "Careful."

Catching a glimpse of his bare chest, she quickly shut her eyes and felt her way along the wall to get out of the room. Jasper let out a small, satisfied smile. His gaze drifted to the small crimson stain on the sheets; it was a hell of a lot more beautiful than an ice bath.

"Nicole, I'll have Jaron come pick you up," Jasper called out.

When he finally came downstairs, he was carrying a small jewelry box. "This is for you."

Nicole took the box and opened it, freezing in surprise. Inside was a tulip necklace, intricately set with pink diamonds and platinum. She remembered hearing that someone had dropped fifty million dollars on this piece not long ago—she never realized it had been him.

"Do you like it?" Jasper asked.

"I thought your family cut you off financially?"

Jasper smiled. "This is from a project I handled a while back. My own money."

"But you could have saved that!"

"I can always earn more money," Jasper said, pulling her close. "But if I don't spoil my wife, I'll end up a bachelor for life."

Nicole's face turned a deep shade of red. She gave his chest a playful tap. "Who's your wife?"

"A girl named Nicole."

She looked away, a shy, radiant smile spreading across her face. She looked like a rose in full bloom—vibrant and breathtaking.