Page 7 of Royally Lucky

“Jeter, get your woman in hand.” He dodged the napkin Vittoria tossed at him. It felt good to laugh and joke with family.

“I’m told the bride is needed up here to toss her bouquet, and then the groom will do whatever he’s gonna do with the garter belt. That means all you single women come on up and get ready to see who’s next to get married with a single catch,” the DJ yelled.

Kendrick noticed Sutton inched down in her chair, trying to make herself appear smaller. “Why aren’t you running up there to join the other ladies?”

She turned her startled eyes at him. “Fuck no. Not that it’s a bad thing to get married. For some people, the whole ’til death do you part is romantic as hell.”

THE THOUGHT OF BEINGchained to a man as his sex toy for life repelled her. Her father owned her mother like she was his personal plaything, his worthless whore, good for two things: keeping his stomach fed and his baser urges met. Once he’d turned his sights on Sutton, he’d declared her mother good at one more thing.

The fucking bitch relished in the new praise.

The teachers in her school noticed bruises on her arms and neck several times. Once, a counselor called her into the office with promises that anything said there would stay between them. Sutton believed her. Ms. Tate lied, and Sutton learned another painful lesson that evening. Her hand lifted to her jaw.

“You’re going to be a worthless little slut just like your mother one day to some unlucky bastard, but at least you’ll know your place. He’ll have me to thank for your obedience.”Her father’s sweat dripped on her back, stinging the bleeding welts from his leather belt.

“Hey, Passerotta, come here,” Kendrick murmured, pulling Sutton onto his lap.

His deep baritone brought her back to the present. Unable to look into his narrowed green eyes. She buried her face in his shoulder, letting his arms surround her and whispering comforting words while she broke a little and put herself back together.

“I got you. Don’t stiffen. Ain’t nobody paying attention to us.” His big hand ran up and down her back.

Finally, she let out a shuddering breath. What would Kendrick see when he looked at her? She was sure there could be no hiding from this man.

“My parents’ marriage was less than ideal. I don’t remember very many holidays where my dad wasn’t fighting and screaming with my mom. More often than not, I ended up alone while my father nursed a hangover, and my mother nursed whatever she’d gotten from him.” She let out a shuddering breath.

Lord, she hadn’t told anyone that much about her past. How the hell had it come out so easily to a man she’d known for less than four hours?

“I’m sorry. A man is supposed to protect his family. Your father isn’t a real man,” he gritted out.

“Was. He’s dead,” she said flatly.

“Good. We have that in common as well. Except I killed my father and took his seat as head of our family. Does that make me a bastard in your eyes, Sutton? You shared a part of your past. I need to be honest with you. I’m no angel or white knight.Truth? I’m probably that boy your mother would’ve told you to stay the fuck away from, and for good reason.”

She loved hearing him talk but stiffened when he spoke about himself in such a way.

“Trust me, Kendrick. You’re nothing like him.”

“That’s good to hear. Of course, I’m old enough that many people would think I was your daddy.”

She snorted. “You never did tell me how old you were.”

Sutton wanted to say it didn’t matter to her. Unless he’d taken an oath of celibacy or something, she planned to see where this went.Whoa, pump the brakes, sister.If her memory served her correctly, he didn’t live in California. And if he wanted her to call him Daddy, Sutton would be more than willing to do so. On her knees. On her back. In any position he willed it.

Her cheeks felt hot, thanks to the thoughts running through her mind.

They both became aware of the loud cheering surrounding the dance floor at the same time as the DJ’s voice shouting for Kendrick.

Sutton shimmied off of his lap, moving to take her place back into the seat next to him.

“Fuck off, Jeter,” Kendrick growled.

“Looks like your brother has declined the call of the garter, men.”

Raucous laughter and cheering filled the air.

“I liked you over here,” he rasped. His eyes raked over her, heating with desire.

She shifted in her seat. The emerald-green bodycon dress she wore suddenly felt heavy. With each deep inhale, the silky, soft lace bodice stretched, thanks to it fitting her like a glove. She’d fallen in love with the design and color the moment she’d seen it in a boutique a few weeks ago. Once she’d put it on and seen how the V-neck gave a glimpse of her cleavage without looking slutty,she’d paid the slightly high price for it. Of course, the skirt ended several inches above her knees, with layers of chiffon that looked like ribbon hanging in strips. Being a tall woman, finding short dresses that didn’t make her feel exposed was hard. Those layers were a blessing, since she was sure any other dress would’ve been hard-pressed to hide her arousal.

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