Page 131 of Reckless King

Although when Delilah and Cole decided not to wait until after their daughter’s birth to get married, they got theirs sorted in a short amount of time. While the King Group has any number of hotels that could have hosted a huge society wedding, Delilah wanted something outdoors and far more intimate. And here, with a wooden arch adorned with ivy, white roses and peonies behind us, and the subtle fragrance of the flowers filling the air, feels much more her than any glittering ballroom.

We’ve all seen the inside of enough ballrooms to last us a lifetime.

Cole and Delilah hold hands as the officiant leads them through their short, simple, but emotion-filled vows. There are sniffles from the guests, and tears shimmer on Beth’s cheeks as she stands behind her daughter. But it’s the emotion on my fiancée’s face that steals my focus. When she catches me looking at her, she gives me a wobbly smile. I get the feeling there’ll be tears on her cheeks before too long as well.

I realize I’ve gotten distracted from the ceremony when I hear the words “you may now kiss the bride.” Maybe missing the end of their vows makes me a bad best man, but I think Cole will forgive me. Not that he looks like he’d care right now, anyway. As the guests erupt into cheers, he cups Delilah’s cheeks and kisses her like there’s nobody watching. When they break apart, I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother smile so broadly. Roman, standing next to me, clears his throat.

“Keep it together,” I say, trying to hold back my smirk. “I know it’s emotional, but what will people think if the big bad CEO of the King Group breaks down into tears at his brother’s wedding?”

He narrows his eyes, then, surprisingly, cracks the slightest of smiles. “About the same as they’ll think when the playboy CMO falls to his knees at the top of the aisle when he sees his bride for the first time.”

I chuckle, watching as Delilah takes her bouquet from her mom, then clasps Cole’s hand. “Maybe one day we’ll get to see how you react to marrying the love of your life.”

Unsurprisingly, his response is merely a derisive snort, and I grin to myself as I take Alex’s arm so we can follow Cole and Delilah back down the aisle. As we pass the front row, I give my fiancée a wink, and she smiles that beautiful, wide, unguarded smile that I love so much.

Two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined a day like today. Cole marrying a woman he loves and my ring on the finger of a woman who feels like she was always meant to be mine. And in a few months’ time, there’ll be a new member of the King family. This time, she’ll be brought up with all the love and affection her family can give her.

A short while later, I wind my way through the tables on the lawn until I find Violet talking to Delilah’s mom. I sweep my fiancée up in my arms and plant my lips on hers. As always, her taste explodes on my tongue, and I fight the urge to let the kiss get more heated. I’d love nothing more than to slide my hands up under her skirt and grip her ass, but I’ll restrain myself until we get home. Then all bets are off.

When we surface from the kiss, Beth is laughing. “I think I’ll leave you lovebirds alone.”

Violet protests, but Beth waves her off with a warm smile. “I think it’s about time I hugged my daughter and new son-in-law again anyway.”

After she moves away, Violet looks up at me. “You looked so handsome standing up there in your tuxedo.”

“I couldn’t take my eyes off you,” I say. I kiss her again, and I don’t want to stop. But I’m forced to when the food is served.

Instead of a formal sit-down dinner, there are several gourmet stations set up around the area serving a variety of cuisines. There’s also a bar stocked with fine wines, craft beers, premium spirits and specialty cocktails. The small tables scattered throughout the space mean guests can move around and mingle during the meal, continuing the relaxed atmosphere of the wedding.

An hour later, after we’ve eaten and taken photos with the happy couple—although happy might overstate Cole’s mood at having to share his bride with so many other people—I find myself standing next to Roman at the bar while Violet talks to Alex and her rockstar husband, Jaxson.

“Having fun?” I ask him, after the bartender serves me my whiskey.

“Beats going to another gala.”

I let out a surprised laugh. “It does. Maybe we could tone it down a bit. We’ve shown the world we’re not like Dad. We shouldn’t have to keep parading ourselves around, trying to prove something.”

He nods slowly. “I think you’re right.”

It’s a relief. While having Violet by my side has made attending formal events more enjoyable, I’d much rather be at home with her, making her scream my name.

“I heard Eric was convicted,” Roman says.

I shoot him a look. Since Eric’s arrest and the removal of the photos, we rarely talk about what we did.

“Yeah, six years’ jail time in a federal prison. Maybe he’ll end up in the same one as Dad. That would be fitting.”

A smile lightens Roman’s usual severe expression. “It would.”

Warmth fills my chest. One which has become familiar since Violet came into my life. The warmth of belonging. I study my brother. Does he feel it too?

He meets my gaze, one dark brow arching. “What?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

He stares at me for a moment longer, then clears his throat, as if deciding not to press the issue. “Have you spoken to Violet about your idea?”

I take a sip of my drink before answering. “Not yet. I’ll see what she thinks tonight.”

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