Page 31 of Kinks of a Billionaire
And just like that, Royce had my parents under an even deeper spell.
Chapter 14
Royce
“So, you and Willow, huh?” I nodded. “Fair warning, big brother. If you hurt her, I’m gonna kick your ass.” My sister’s playful warning coaxed a smile from me. “And then I’ll hug you to death.”
“Ditto,” Sailor chimed in.
“Except there won’t be any hugging from my wife,” Raphael warned, a wry note entering his voice. “Or I’ll be doing the ass kicking.”
I hid a smile at his not-so-subtle threat. “You can try, Colombian, but you’ll fail.”
Everyone knew Raphael’s possessiveness of Sailor ran deep, and I was more than happy to keep ten feet away from her. Besides, she was like a sister to me and she’d forever remain that way. Willow, on the other hand, snuck her way into my heart with that kiss ten years ago. I’d never be able to untangle the intricate hold she had over me—nor would I want to.
Mr. Auclair left the women and made his way to me. “Royce.” He extended his hand and I took it into my grip. “You’ll forever have my gratitude.”
I tilted my head. “No pun intended, but I’d rather have your blessing.”
A knowing gleam entered his eyes as he smoothed a hand over his tie. “You have it, especially after hearing my daughter confirm that she wants to marry you.”
She wants to marry me.
Like some cheesy musical, the words played on repeat in my mind. Willow’s eyes, currently more green than blue, found mine. She graced me with a smile, and something about it eased the restless energy churning in my chest.
I couldn’t wait to slide a ring on her finger and make her my wife.
“I brought you a tux. It’s hanging in the rectory,” Aurora said smoothly, mischief lightening her eyes. “I know you can’t keep away from Willow, but you can’t marry her in a leather jacket and jeans.”
I was seriously contemplating it. I didn’t want to be away from Willow for even a moment.
“Come on, I’m your best man and…” I tuned Alexei out, my eyes locked on my bride. I wanted to bark orders at the priest to marry us right now, under the sun where her auburn hair glimmered.
“Father Miguel.” I turned to the priest who seemed unsure of what to do, his bushy brows bent. Fuck, I hoped he didn’t forget how to lead a wedding ceremony. He could skip through all of it, if he wished, as long as we got to the “I dos” so that Willow was mine forever. “Can you just marry us here?”
His face crinkled in disapproval. “Why?”
I nodded toward Willow. “Because she looks stunning like this.” The roughness of my voice must have carried because I felt everyone's heavy stares on me.
“You’re really not going to change?” Aurora asked, her eyes flitting to Sailor. “This is bullshit,” she muttered, then driftedover to her friends, leaving the men on one side of the courtyard in front of the church while the women congregated, fussing over each other’s hair and makeup.
I just wanted to make this official and then take her away from here. Our honeymoon was on the horizon and I couldn’t wait to get her alone.
“I promise you, son, Willow won’t run off.” It was impossible to miss the smile in Mr. Auclair’s voice. He rubbed a hand over his jaw, his tone serious again. “Although, I must say, I understand the feeling.”
“At least give your woman a choice,” Raphael suggested.
As if she sensed we were talking about her, Willow raised her head. I had no words to describe how beautiful she looked in her dress. If I had my way, I’d tear it off her with my teeth and then do every filthy, debauched thing I could think of. Anything to leave a permanent flush on her cheeks.
She coaxed a lie out of me this morning.Platonic.
There was nothing platonic about what I wanted to do to her.
Willow slowly made her way over, her bruises a sore reminder that I hadn’t ended the prick responsible for them. Right or wrong, if Willow hadn’t been in the room, I would have ended Stuart, then made his body disappear.
As it was, I gave her my word—even though I kept my promise vague.
I wasn’t finished with him yet. Not by a long shot.
