Page 99 of Ruin Me
“You can’t say things like that when being with me is a liability.” Courage failed me and I peered into my lap. “You say you're fine with neglecting your company now, but one day you’ll resent me for it. I explained this to you in my letter.”
“Little bunny, how do you think I got your email address?” Kent pinched my chin and forced my head up. “You only gave it to Ife.”
“She… she gave you the address? But that would mean?—”
“We had a productive talk. Ife still doesn’t approve of us, but she wants me to be happy and knows you’re the key to my happiness.”
“Oh.” The tiny flicker of hope Kent sparked with Ife’s name fizzled out as quickly as it had sparked to life. “But then this ring. Isn’t it premature to put it on my finger? If she won’t accept us, then?—”
“Little bunny, make no mistake. Our future is ours to determine. I gave her the opportunity to show up for us. Ife refused.”
“Oh.” I twisted the ring around my finger. Maybe it was time to accept my friendship with Ife was over and I would always have a hole in my life where she belonged.
“But your parents are here. Your mother even agreed to officiate our wedding.”
I couldn’t have heard him right. Too much was happening at once and my brain couldn’t process the truth before me. “My mother agreed to marry us? My mother? Nikita Montgomery?”
“Well, a conditional agreement. She needs to hear you want to marry me as much as I want to be your husband.” Kent glowered as if recalling an unpleasant memory. “She also threatened to end me if I try to coerce you.”
I glanced at Tyger who hugged my shin with a death grip, then Benson and Stabler who hadn’t stopped staring at me. If not for Kent’s command, they would be all over me, inundating me with sloppy kisses. “You’re brave to test my mother this way because if them being here isn’t coercion, I don’t know what is.”
Kent snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me to his side, displacing Tyger who growled and repositioned himself to hold onto my leg. The stiffness in my spine melted upon contact. “Be honest, little bunny. Do you want me?”
“So much it hurts.”
“Enough to be my wife?”
I peered into his blurry face. Kent was a man who demanded to share my burdens rather than watch me struggle alone. Even through his pain, he put my safety above the damage I’d inflicted on him. If he’d approached me with anger, bruised pride, and accusations, I might have had a defense against him. However, he discarded his righteous fury for openness and vulnerability.
I was done warring with my heart. Once I landed on my decision, I broke out into a teary grin.
“Little bunny?”
I cupped both sides of his face. “I have conditions.”
“You wouldn’t be Nikita’s daughter if you didn’t. But I’m telling you my non-negotiable right now. We aren’t leaving this island until your name is Madison Luxe. Your parents only have a week to spend, and I will take advantage of every second of that time. So, let’s hear your terms.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You won’t budge on this?”
“Nope,” he said, exaggerating the p with a pop.
“So if my heart is set on a big wedding?”
“We can have it. As a second wedding. The biggest, most obscene ceremony and reception that will keep Douglas society pages full for months after. However?—”
“I’ll already be Mrs. Kent Luxe,” I finished for him.
Kent pressed his lips against my forehead. “Glad you understand.” His lips traveled over my cheek and lower, with no intention of stopping.
“Well, here’s something I want that has to happen before we exchange any kind of vow.” I pushed his face from my neck, knowing where this would lead. “I want a proper proposal.”
“Doable.” He tried to lower his head again, but I resisted him when he was so close his beard brushed against my chin.
“And an engagement party. One with good food and music.”
“Done.” Kent closed the distance between us and kissed me.
He started sweet, brushing his lips against mine, re-familiarizing himself with the contours of my mouth. In doing so, he reminded me what I’d been missing. I gasped as remembered sensations sparked to life in my body, and he took advantage of the opening. Kent plunged his tongue inside. Our passions swiftly rose to unimaginable heights, frying my brain from the inside.