Just Married

by Rory Reynolds

  “J-just a minute,” Peyton stutters on a moan. If my mouth wasn’t otherwise occupied, I would laugh at how obvious she sounds. There is no doubt in my mind that whoever is on the other side of that door knows exactly what’s happening in here.

  Peyton throws her head back with a loud moan as her orgasm rocks through her body. Her pussy quakes around my fingers with every flick of my tongue. I slow my movements, bringing her down from her peak as she tries to catch her breath. Slipping my fingers from her pussy, I meet her eyes and lick them clean. Desire flares in her eyes once again and I smile at her knowingly.

  Rising to my feet, I lift her face to mine and kiss her lightly on her lips. I fix her dress as she stands there in a daze. I see a million questions flitting through her mind and I’m not sure she’s ready for the answers yet, so I decide it’s time to make my exit. I press a kiss to her forehead and turn to leave.

  “Kingston?” Confusion mars her voice and I hate that I’m leaving her like this, but it’s for the best. The conversation we need to have can’t happen in a restroom.

  I unlock the door and am not surprised to see Tammy on the other side. Her eyebrows practically become part of her hairline when she sees me, but I walk straight past her, not giving her a chance to question me. Poor Peyton won’t be able to avoid her so easily.

  Chapter Four

  Peyton

  “What the hell was that all about?” Tammy asks startling me out of my shocked stupor.

  I blink at her trying to clear the fog from my mind. I can’t believe that just happened. I let that happen. I wanted it to happen. It’s like once his lips touched mine, I lost complete control of my rational brain.

  Tammy snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Peyton.”

  “Sorry, what did you say?”

  “Pey, I’m worried about you. You’ve been weird all day and now I find you locked in a bathroom with Kingston. The same Kingston that’s treated you like crap since the day you met him.”

  I sigh, not really knowing what to say. Obviously, the truth is out of the question. I can only imagine. ‘I had a drunken one-night stand with Kingston. Oh yeah, and we got married.’ That would be about the time her head would explode. I hate lying to Tammy, but I don’t have any other options.

  “It’s nothing. Kingston is just planning a surprise for Theo and wanted my opinion.” I paste on a smile and cross my fingers that she doesn’t catch me in my lie. She looks at me skeptically, then nods. I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

  “It’s not a stripper, is it? You know Jill would freak out if she found out.”

  I laugh, knowing my sister, she would probably scalp the stripper then cut off Theo’s balls. For as sweet as she is, she can be vicious when she wants to be.

  “No, not a stripper. He knows better,” I say. “We better get back out there before they send in a search party.”

  “Yeah, Dickhead Troy is getting impatient. He wants to find himself an, and I quote ‘easy piece of ass with fat tits.’”

  “Ugh,” I groan. “I really can’t stand that guy. Remind me to remind you to punch Charles when we get home.”

  “Done.”

  When we walk into the club, it’s a bit overwhelming with the flashing lights, thrumming music, and wall to wall people. I’m ready to go before we even get five steps inside the door. I like to dance, but this is crazy. We slowly wind through the crowd to the VIP section that Theo reserved for the night. I’m so focused on following my group that I don’t see the drunk guy stumble until it’s too late and I’m teetering on my heels. Knowing there is no way I can stop my fall, I close my eyes and wait for an impact that never comes. I slowly pry one eye open, then the other to see who my rescuer is…

  Kingston.

  Of course, it would be him. He seems to be everywhere. As he holds me in his arms, surrounding me with his strength, I can hardly remember why Kingston is a bad idea. His dark eyes study my face as his hand cups my cheek. The way he’s looking at me makes me feel like he’s staring straight into my soul.

  “You okay, baby?”

  His gruff voice makes my heart skip a beat.

  I stupidly nod because I seem to have forgotten how to speak. He quirks his lips up in a devil may care smirk that says he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. My traitorous body is more than happy to be so close to the man, even as my brain is yelling ‘Danger, danger.’

  Kingston steadies me on my feet, then looks me over from top to bottom, eyes lingering a little longer than necessary. I feel a full body flush when I remember that he never returned my panties after he went down on me at the restaurant. I wonder if he’s thinking about the same thing when he gives me a knowing smile.

  I’m captivated by that smile and can’t stop imagining what those lips felt like against mine. The way he took without remorse. I find myself licking my lips and swaying toward him without a conscious thought to do so. I’m completely lost in the moment—the crowd, the music, the lights—everything fades away until it’s just Kingston and me. I’m so close now that I can feel his breath on my face, I close my eyes anticipating the moment our lips will touch. My heart pounds in my chest and my breath becomes ragged until I’m practically dizzy.

  But our lips never meet because from one breath to the next he pushes me away. A wave of disappointment and embarrassment floods through my body and I feel tears prick my eyes. I’m not a crier, so the fact that twice in one day I’ve nearly cried over a man, not just any man, but Kingston fucking Barrett pisses me off. I’m ready to lay into him for this insanity until a set of warm arms wrap around me from behind and the comforting scent of Theo’s cologne fills my senses.

  “You okay, sweetheart?” Theo asks from over my shoulder.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I turn and smile, but it’s strained. When Theo doesn’t say anything I’m grateful, but he’s shooting daggers at his brother over my shoulder and the tension between the pair is palpable.

  “The girls are looking for you. Let’s go get you a drink,” Theo says as he guides me toward our reserved table, never once moving his arm from around my shoulders.

  “This is the best bachelorette party I’ve ever had!” Jillian yells over the music as we make our way back to the table from the dancefloor.

  “It’s the only bachelorette party you’ve ever had,” I yell back.

  I link my arm with hers when she stumbles. We’re both laughing when we practically fall into our seats. Theo places two glasses of ice water in front of us and kisses first Jillian’s cheek then mine.

  “Are my two favorite girls having fun?” he asks.

  “Hey, what about me,” Tammy slurs.

  He laughs, then concedes. “Okay, my three favorite girls.”

  “Damn straight we are!” Tammy throws her arms over her head and nearly topples off her chair. She plays it off by hopping to her feet and shaking her ass. We all bust up laughing at her antics.

  It’s then that I realize Kingston is missing. I look around the VIP section but don’t see him anywhere. Begrudgingly, I admit I’m disappointed that I don’t see him anywhere. I hate myself for even looking for him and I hate myself even more for being disappointed that he’s not here.

  “He had to take a call,” Theo says quietly enough that the girls don’t hear.

  I shrug my shoulders, trying to play at nonchalance and failing miserably if the look Theo gives me is any indication. And now I hate myself because I’m being so obvious about whatever this is that’s happening between Kingston and me.

  When the waitress comes by with another round of shots, I quickly down mine and the one that was left for Kingston. Theo looks at me with a worried frown, but I give him a bright smile. The liquor goes straight to my head and I fully embrace the blissful numbness that accompanies it. I decide right here and now that once this whole mess of a weekend is over, I’ll file for an annulment and put Kingston Barrett behind me for good.

  “Let’s go dance!” Tammy shouts excitedly.


  Dirty Mind pounds through the club and Tammy grips my hips, pulling me close and we start our usual bump and grind, losing ourselves to the beat. At some point, she abandons me for a cute guy who looks like he’s barely legal. She gives me an apologetic look, but I give her a thumbs-up and continue dancing on my own. I close my eyes letting the music and the anonymity of being on a full dancefloor erase my worries, at least for now. I know they will all be waiting for me tomorrow, but for tonight, I’m going to let loose and have fun.

  “Wanna dance?” a masculine voice slurs in my ear from behind.

  I turn and face the man, taking in his appearance I find myself noting all the ways he’s not Kingston. Too thin lips, crooked nose, too short, not as muscled, and the list goes on and on until I’m mentally kicking my own ass for going there. What is wrong with me? So instead of saying no like I want to, I nod my consent and find myself in the arms of a not-as-handsome-as-Kingston stranger. Not wanting to continue comparing him, I turn so that my back is to his front and let out a sigh of relief when the guy doesn’t complain.

  As we dance his hands grow more and more bold. First, he was just holding my hips, but then he wrapped his arms around me, pulling my body flush against his. I went with it because it was harmless enough, but then his hand starts inching up my body until it’s practically cupping my boob. Again, I just go with it because as long as I’m dancing with him, my mind isn’t on he-who-shall-not-be-thought-of. After a few more songs, I don’t even care how handsy he’s getting or the fact that he’s kissing my shoulder and neck. In fact, I tilt my head giving him access because I’ve somehow convinced myself he’s the cure for my Kingstonitus.

  Chapter Five

  Kingston

  “Everything okay, bro?” Theo asks when I get back to the table.

  “Yeah, Adam is a fuck-up who can’t manage to take care of shit while I’m away for more than twenty-four hours.”

  “Aww, poor widdle Kingston,” Jill teases.

  I toss a napkin at her and growl.

  “You don’t scare me,” she says rolling her eyes. “All bark and no bite. Unless it’s Pey, you two are like oil and water. One of these days you’re either going to kill each other or boink like rabbits.”

  My eyes go wide, and I practically choke on my drink. Theo raises his eyebrow and laughs at my reaction. Thankfully, Jill doesn’t seem to notice.

  “Where are the girls? And Douchebag Troy?” I ask, tacking Troy on as an after-thought, not wanting to draw attention to the fact that I’m looking for Peyton.

  Theo points over his shoulder at a low-slung couch where Troy is practically mauling some blonde bimbo. “As you can see Troy is… occupied.”

  Jill cuts in, “Tammy is over there dancing with some guy that looks like jailbait. Oh! And Pey is dancing with a real hottie!” she says excitedly. Then sucker punches me right in the gut when she adds. “I think she might get laid.”

  My head flies to the dancefloor, looking for my wife and one dead man walking. When I see his hands all over her body, I lose my mind. I jump up so fast my stool falls to the floor in a crash. I break through the crowd and roar my rage when the man kisses her neck. Theo grips my shoulder, trying to hold me back, but I shrug him off. Nothing is going to stop me from stomping this little piss ant into the floor.

  I grab Peyton and rip her away from the man. Shocked, she pushes against my chest trying to get away, but I hold tight. I refuse to let her get away from me, not after another man has had his hands on her.

  “Hey dude, let the lady go,” the idiot unwisely says.

  “Fuck you,” I snarl.

  Peyton thrashes in my arms, putting more effort into getting away. “Get off me you… you jerk!”

  “Kingston, why don’t we take this somewhere a little more private?” Theo says trying to talk reason into me. I hadn’t noticed the crowd that’s surrounding us until now.

  “Yeah, Kingston,” Peyton screeches, finally breaking free of my hold. “Listen to your brother. Take your little pissing contest elsewhere. I’m dancing here.”

  “No fucking way am I leaving you here with this asshole.”

  Said asshole makes a grab for Peyton and my vision turns red. “Get your motherfucking hands off my wife!” I shout.

  Shocked gasps come from behind me, and Peyton looks at me with murder in her eyes. Jill and Tammy dart between Peyton and me, they grab her arms and drag her away, shocked expressions on their faces. Theo grips my arm and drags me away. I follow reluctantly, mostly because I’m shocked at my own stupidity. When Peyton glances back at me the look on her face is sobering. She looks destroyed.

  “What the fuck, Kingston?” Theo shouts for the hundredth time since we got back to the hotel. “I told you to pursue her, not fucking marry her.”

  I run my hands through my hair in frustration. “I know that, Theo. It wasn’t the plan. I mean, marrying Peyton was the plan, but not like this.”

  The expression on his face would be hilarious if this situation weren’t so fucked. “You planned to marry her?”

  I start pacing the room, unable to stay still through my agitation. “Of course I did. She’s it for me.” I stop my pacing and meet my brother’s gaze head-on. “It’s always been Peyton for me. Always.”

  “Okay, I get that, but why here? Why now?” he asks.

  I resume pacing and raking my fingers through my hair. It almost feels like a betrayal to tell Theo the details, but he’s Peyton’s best friend… and if the way she acted this morning was any indication of what she remembers of last night, I’d have to guess she won’t be telling him the right version of the story.

  “After you told me to go for it last night, I went and danced with her. Things got a little hot and heavy on the dancefloor, so we found a secluded corner. I stopped it before things went too far.” Theo snorts and shakes his head disbelievingly. “When I quit kissing her, she started crying, then slumped to the floor. Theo, she looked so fucking sad, I’ve never seen her look like that before. I sat with her and held her while she cried. She started talking about bridesmaids and weddings and not wanting to be a bridesmaid again. She proposed to me. I swear I told her no. I was taking her up to her room when she started asking random men to marry her. She was determined. I just knew if I took her upstairs, she would’ve bolted as soon as I left.”

  “You should’ve called me or Jill or Tammy,” he practically shouts.

  “Look, I know, okay?” I slump down onto the couch, elbows on my knees, head in my hands.

  Theo sits beside me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “You really screwed the pooch on this one. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah. I know. Somehow, I’m going to make this thing with Peyton work.”

  “By ‘thing’ you mean marriage?” Theo questions.

  I give him a dirty look. “Fuck yes, I mean the marriage. Now that I have her, I’m not letting her go… I just have to convince her.”

  Chapter Six

  Peyton

  I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants, then lightly knock on the door I’ve been standing in front of for the past ten minutes trying to find my courage. You can do this, Peyton. I say to myself for the millionth time since I got on the elevator to come up here. When he doesn’t answer right away, I knock again. I’m about to tuck tail and run away when I hear the lock click. I glance down the hall toward the elevator and wonder if I can make it there before he opens the door. Then the door is open, and it’s too late.

  Kingston stands in the doorway looking like an Adonis, bare-chested with little water droplets covering his perfectly tanned skin. I will my eyes not to go any lower than his chest. I argue with myself about how bad of an idea it is, but I stupidly don’t listen. My mouth runs dry when I see that he’s standing there wearing only a towel.

  I know I saw him naked this morning. God, was it just this morning? But there’s just something about a mostly naked man fresh out of the shower. I know I’m staring, but I can’t seem to help myself. Kingston is the epitome
of sexy.

  I’m shaken out of my stupor when he opens the door wider. “Come on in.”

  “No,” I say, wincing when my voice echoes in the quiet hall. “I just came to give you this.”

  I thrust my hand out, showing him the diamond ring. When he doesn’t take it, I risk looking up at him again and instantly regret it. He looks angry. I can hardly blame him. This is a screwed-up situation.

  “Just take it, and I’ll get out of your hair. After tomorrow you won’t have to see me again.” If he looked angry before, he looks downright pissed now. “Well, except for holidays… I mean… since Jillian and Theo are together…” I ramble.

  Shut up, Peyton.

  Kingston’s hand covers my mouth, putting me out of my misery and thrusting me straight into hell. If I thought being embarrassed and rambling like a fool was bad, I didn’t know what bad was because now he’s touching me and all I can think about is him moving that hand down my body. He pulls me into his room, shutting and locking the door. My heart kicks into overdrive, and I start to panic at being alone in his hotel room. After last night and tonight at the restaurant, this is a bad, bad idea.

  “I don’t want the ring back.”

  “But I can’t keep it, Kingston,” I respond. “When we get home, we’ll get an annulment and put this whole mess behind us.”

  “Baby, I don’t want to put this behind me.”

  “But…” I start but have no clue what else to say.

  He leads me to the couch, then sits directly in front of me on the coffee table. My heart skips a beat when he brushes my hair off my face and tucks it behind my ear. That simple act throws my hormones into overdrive.