Page 226 of By His Vow
I knew they were there, but suddenly seeing them all staring back at me makes my stomach flip-flop.
They believe it. They actually think that what Kingston and I have is real, pure, true.
“Come on, I need a few minutes alone with my wife,” Kingston says before we embark on my second trip down the aisle, only this time, I’m not walking toward the man I’m willingly giving myself to for a year of my life. I’m walking hand in hand with my new husband.
What the hell have I done?
King swings the door open with so much fervor, it crashes back before slamming closed only two seconds later.
“Oh my god,” I cry when my back collides with the wall and King’s forearms cage me in.
“Did I already tell you how incredible you look,” he says, nothing but sincerity in his voice.
My cheeks heat as he stares at me so deeply, I swear he can see straight down to my soul.
“We’re married,” I squeak like a moron, the weight of the addition of my wedding ring heavy on my left hand.
“Fuck. You’re my wife,” he says in awe, as if he’s only just realized what happened out there. “Mrs. Tatum Callahan.”
My stomach somersaults.
Why does that sound…right?
“King, I?—”
Honestly, I have no idea what I was going to say—my head and my heart are too busy battling it out for supremacy over this whole situation to form any rational thoughts.
I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not that he steals my lips in a slow, sensual, and all-consuming kiss, ensuring that all those jumbled thoughts fly right out of my head. All sense of rationality drifts away, and all I can do is give myself over to him. My husband.
He slides his hand around the back of my neck, his thumb gently directing my jaw so he can position me exactly how he wants me as his tongue sweeps into my mouth.
My hands find his waist and his muscles jump the second I connect with him, letting me know that he feels this…this intensity between us as well.
“I can’t get you out of my head, baby. These past ten days…fuck. Fucking torture,” he confesses against my lips, unable to pull away now he’s reclaimed them.
“That was the idea. You hurt me, King. Releasing those photos without so much as warning me.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Fuck. I’m so sorry. I know it’s a shitty excuse, but I’m not used to thinking about anyone but myself. I make decisions that will benefit me or the company, and I just do it. I’ll do better. I swear.”
I stare up at him, desperately wanting to believe him, but also trying to understand why it’s all so important to me.
It’s just a year. So what if he thinks about himself and his future? I know that’s what I’m doing.
I’m being a hypocrite, asking him to do one thing while focusing on something else entirely for myself.
His eyes bore into mine, the green intense and hungry as he begs me to believe him.
I want to, I do. But also, does it really matter?
I shouldn’t expect anything from him. That is not what this is.
When it becomes clear that I’m not going to respond, he leans forward and takes my lips again.
His kiss is hungry and desperate, and I make him move for more.
Dragging his lips across my jaw, I suck in deep breaths in the hope of getting my body under control. It’s burning hotter than it should, seeing as we’ve got a whole host of people on the other side of the door waiting for us.
He moves to my ear, his warm breath rushing over the exposed skin of my shoulder, causing goosebumps to erupt across every inch of my body.