Page 16 of With This Ring

But Kai isn’t having that. The fucker threads his fingers in my hair and holds me steady, forcing my lips open with his tongue. I pull against him, but before I can get away, he bites down hard.

Hissing, I snatch my lips away, looking at him with all the anger I can muster as I swallow down the coppery taste of my blood. He looks back at me evenly, a small smile on his face, like he’s one upped me. We’ve been at each other’s throats for years; he should know better than to think he can beat me.

I grip him by the back of his neck and pull him in for another kiss, shoving my tongue into his mouth, dragging it across his. We exchange the metallic taste of my blood, Kai’s body betraying him as he slides closer to me. His hard dick brushes against my leg, the firm length rigid against my thigh.

I pull away from the kiss, thumbing his lower lip to clean a bit of blood that’s stained his face. Kai drags dazed eyes over to me, then they infuse with agitation before he slaps my hand away.

The officiant raises his voice so everyone can hear him. “I now present to you, Mr. and Mr. St. Clair-Whitlock.”

Hand in hand, Kai and I walk down the aisle amongst the fake cheers and phony smiles of our guests. With the exception of Dad and Charlie—since they were able to protect their families—no one else is happy for us. They’d probably rather be anywhere else than seeing this sham marriage.

I’m in agreement with them.

When we step into the hallway, Kai drops my hand and rubs it against his pants as if to wipe away my touch. I don’t care. He can pretend to hate my touch all he wants, but now I know the truth. Kai got hard for me from a kiss. His body doesn’t lie. He might hate me, but he wants me. I can’t wipe the smug look from my face, no matter how much he glares.

Loud music blaresthrough the speakers at the reception, though no one dances. Everyone is too busy sitting at the round tables with elaborate centerpieces, stuffing their faces with the best food money can buy.

Kai and I sit at the table at the head of the reception hall. He looks as disinterested as I feel. Only another hour or so and I can get out of here, out of this suit and into clothes that feel like me.

And I can get away from my husband.

I can’t believe I’m married. I look down at the black titanium ring on my finger and wish like hell I could take it off and toss it away, but I have to keep up the appearance that we’re happily married, a single unit that will ride or die for each other. I notice Kai looking at his as well, a curious expression on his face. What thoughts are running through that blond head of his?

As I wait for the cue from Dad that I can get the fuck out of here, I look around at the people that are assembled. Is one of them responsible for this farce? Are they the reason I’m married to my enemy, tying myself to him to keep my family alive? Is someone that wants to see our downfall in the crowd?

The clinking of a fork on a glass draws my attention to the DJ booth and I glare over at Charlie. He doesn’t pay me any mind, a phony smile pasted on his face as he glance around at those assembled. “Thank you all for coming today,” he says, his annoying voice weaseling its way into my ears. It grates on my fucking nerves. If I could go the rest of my life without hearing it, I’d die a happy man. “I’m glad to give my son away to Carter Whitlock, who I know will treat him with love and respect for the rest of their lives.”

Something about what Charlie says nags at my brain. He sounds almost gleeful about no longer having to deal with Kai on a daily basis.

I glance over at Kai, who has his hand wrapped so tightly around the glass in his hand that I fear it’ll break. When he meets my gaze, he lets the brief flash of hurt bleed from his eyes and adopts a bored expression. But I saw it. I saw the pain from his father’s words. Again, a heavy feeling settles in my belly, andI fucking resent it. It doesn’t matter that he’s hurt. It doesn’t fucking matter.

“Now, if you’ll join me in a toast to the happy couple,” Charlie continues, holding his drink out to us. “I wish you both many,manyyears of happiness, as husbands.” He sips his drink, his hard gaze locked on Kai. Something passes between them that I can’t decipher.

From the side of my mouth, I ask, “What the fuck was that?” Kai just shakes his head, and sits back, running a hand over his ponytail. I leave it alone. He might be my husband, but he’s not my responsibility.

Dad steps up next, almost snatching the mic from Charlie’s hand. They glare at each other for a moment, then Dad turns to our table with a small grin. “You look great, kid,” he says and I smile at him, dipping my head. “I never thought you’d be getting married, and I didn’t think I’d be getting another son. Kai, welcome to the family, kid. I can’t wait to get to know you. I know you’ll make my son very happy, as he will you.”

I know these are empty words, meant to make others think this is a marriage of love, not convenience, but I think Dad chose those words on purpose. We both see what a piece of fucking work Charlie is and how poorly he treats Kai.

Normally, this isn’t a business of love. Fathers raise their sons to take over for them, to run the families like a well-oiled machine, devoid of any emotions. That’s not how I was raised and I’m still one of the most feared men on this side of the Mississippi. I hate myself for admitting it, but seeing how different Charlie’s relationship with Kai is than mine with Dad’s rubs me the wrong way.

Kai looks at Dad with a confused expression, probably wondering what his angle is. But there never is an angle with Dad. What you see is what you get. Our families may have been at odds for decades, but Dad is looking at the bigger picture.Kai will be around far longer than Charlie if the natural order of things transpires. Why not get to know his son-in-law if they’re going to work together? I don’t want to get to know him, but Dad isn’t as short sighted as me.

“To the St. Clair-Whitlocks,” Dad says, holding up his glass. “May your futures be bright.”

People echo his words and drink. We take a sip of our champagne dutifully.

I’m ready to go and I lean over to tell Kai that we need to leave, but the DJ announces it’s time for our first dance.

Knowing I have to dance at least once with my new husband, I stand and hold my hand out to him. Kai grudgingly places his palm in mine, and I lead us to the dance floor. The DJ puts on some slow jam, and we wrap our arms around each other’s waist, swaying back and forth to the music.

It’s fucking awkward. I want to be anywhere but here, staring into Kai’s eyes like he’s the only man in the world for me. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a crooked smile, he whispers, “Don’t get any bright ideas, asshole. There will be no consummating this marriage. Your dick will stay dry until we divorce, or I die. And I plan on you beating me to the grave.”

I bark a laugh, and I know it looks as if we’re having a loving conversation. “Judging from how your cock is trying to bruise my thigh right now, I’d think you were ready to fuck me in front of all these people. Or take my dick.” I give him a thoughtful look. “Yeah, you look like you’d let me pound you into the floor.” I lean closer to his ear. “Keep dreaming, dear husband. Hell will freeze over before I bless you with the dicking of your life.”

“You’re full of yourself. I’m betting you’re overcompensating.”

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