Sleep had been fully banished now as Ashley suddenly sat up. Shock was an understatement.
Was Julian actually asking her to marry him again for real this time? No alcohol involved, no juvenile dares?
"A little ceremony. Simple. Legal. With the people who need to be in the room, so there's no ambiguity left for anyone or my mother, for the board, for the world, about what you are to me." His mouth softened.
"My wife. Not a rumor. Not a contract. A choice. I choose you both."
He gathered her to him as he hugged her a little bit too tight.
She just stared at his back, the words making a bright, tentative shape in the space between them.
"You want your whole family in a room with us?"
"We'll choose which family," he said dryly. "But yes I would prefer all of them, especially those who think they could disrespect you because of the circumstancesof our previous Marriage. They would have no choice but to respect this.