Page 17 of With This Ring

“You’ll never find out.”

Thankfully the song ends, and we separate. I watch in amusement as Kai tries to discreetly rearrange himself in his pants. The tight briefs I have on keep my secret.

We don’t stay much longer after that. I thought it was risky to even have a reception, but I was ignored. Having too many of us in the same place isn’t wise, but the day ends without bloodshed, so my apprehension was unfounded.

Kai and I take separate cars, Gavin riding with me. That bodyguard that’s permanently attached to Kai’s hip is moving in with us as well. So, along with me and Gavin, two other men full of testosterone will be under my roof. What could possibly go wrong?

Gavin looks at me a smirk playing on his lips. “Mr. St. Clair-Whitlock. How does it feel to be a married man?”

“Kiss my ass, Gavin.”

He turns serious. “It’ll be fine. You don’t really have to be faithful to him or nothing. You don’t even have to like that cocksucker.”

“I know. I just haven’t wrapped my mind around the whole thing, even though I’ve had time to. It’s a terrible idea to have Kai under the same roof as me. We can barely go without socking each other in public. This house will be a fucking bloodbath if he pops his usual shit.”

Gavin shrugs. “Just stay out of each other’s way.”

“He’s in my house. He better stay out ofmyway.”

We pull up to the house, Kai’s car right behind mine. A moving truck sits in the driveway, and I scowl at it. I can’t wait to find out who is behind the threats of war on our families. I’ll fucking skin them alive for forcing me and Kai together like this.

Kai climbs out of his car, looking up at my place with a blank expression. Despite how he tries to cover it, I know he’s impressed. I had the place built when I was twenty-one and it’s still a showstopper. The two-story modern house with largebullet proof windows that allows tons of natural light gives the house an airy look. From the outside, the large chandeliers in the foyer and sitting room are visible as well as the artwork on the wall. All the bedrooms are upstairs, each with the same large windows as the bottom floor. The bedrooms are also equipped with a hidden entrance to my panic room in the basement.

I’ll show Kai that one day. Right now, I want away from him. I can still feel the ghost of his lips against mine.

After giving my place the once over, he looks at me. “Where do I sleep?”

I motion for him to follow me without a word. I wave the bracelet on my wrist against the sensor on the door and it pops open. “Is that smart?” he asks, stepping inside behind me. “What if the power goes out?”

I sigh and turn to him. “That’s what keys are for. Don’t come in here trying to change shit. This is my house now and it’ll be my house when you leave. Got it?”

He nods with a small grin on his face. “Got it. My room? You’re not expecting us to share, are you?” The look of horror on his face is genuine, mirroring my own.

Scoffing, I jog up the stairs to the room furthest from mine. “Fuck no. You’re going nowhere near my room.” I push open the door and let him walk through. “Sleep here. And stay the fuck out of my way.”

With that, I stroll to my room to try to forget my horrible wedding day.

CHAPTER 8

KAI

Sweat drips down my face as the pounding of my feet on the treadmill fills the gym. The music blasting through the speakers doesn’t dim the sound of my sneakers thudding on the belt, running nowhere fast. I look over at Nico, who’s hitting the punching bag, his headphones pressed hard into his ears.

Carter’s house is fucking insane. Five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, including one in the gym. The massive gym takes up the entire basement. His kitchen is a dream, with modern appliances and a six-range burner. It looks wholly unused, so I’ve taken it over, cooking dinner almost every night and meal prepping for me and Nico.

He has a pool in the backyard with an inset bar and hot tub attached. I’m sure he uses none of it, judging by the way it’s all so pristine and I know Carter doesn’t trust anyone enough to throw a party to get any mileage out of it.

All of this gym equipment is top of the line, new and expensive. Of everything in this mausoleum he calls a house, this is the only place that looks well used. Judging from the state of his body, I can tell Carter puts the gym to good use.

Snarling, I step off the quickly moving treadmill belt, putting my feet to the side of the running belt so I can catch my breath. I slam my hand on the emergency stop button, then lean my head on my arms.

Fucking Carter. I despise him, but thinking about him holding me down and fucking me into a mattress has been the object of my fantasies for the past few weeks. It’s only made worse with how he held me on our wedding day and forced his bloodied tongue into my mouth. Tasting him like that sent aneedburning through me that is undeniable. I won’t act on it, but my hand is getting a workout all its own.

I wipe my face with the towel I snagged from beside the door of the gym and blow out a long breath. I’ve been trying to work off some excess energy, but it doesn’t always work.

Hopping off the treadmill, I walk over to Nico and hold the bag. He up nods me, then goes back to hitting it. I plant my feet so the bag doesn’t move too much.

After a few more hits, he bumps one of his earbuds from his ear with his shoulder. “What’s the plan for today?” he asks, going back to hitting the bag.

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