Page 41 of Sweet Rule
She practically snaps her teeth at me. “Fuck you. I’m no one’s property.”
“That’s not what he just said, now is it, princess?” I come close to her and the priest makes a sound that tells me he doesn’t approve of anything he’s seeing. “You’re mine. Body and soul.”
She glares at me and I like that she doesn’t look so unsure anymore. Honey always did need anger to pull herself together, which has only ever held her back. She’s beautiful when she’s furious, but she’s so slow to anger that I’ve rarely seen her shine with it. She tosses her hair over her shoulder and smacks my chest with the roses.
“Just because of what we’re doing right now-”
“You mean, getting married,” I drawl.
“And just because of what’s going to happen after.”
“I’m going to fuck you, princess.”
The priest makes a strangled sound, but we ignore him. I grin at Honey as she hits me again with the roses. Her lush mouth is turned down in a frown and she cuts her eyes at me.
“Fuck you, Lawson. You-
“And you’re going to beg sweet for me, but you won’t be calling meLawsonwhen I do.The only word on your lips will be Daddy.”
I hear a rustle of robes and I swear to Christ the priest is about to pass out, but I figure this is tame for a wedding happening in a BDSM club. What the fuck did he expect was going to happen here? Honey’s cheeks turn pink and she licks her lips. I know she wants what I’m telling her, even if she won’t admit it. She’s still too angry with me, but that’s fine. I can take the choice from her and make it easy. I’ll give her what she wants but won’t let herself admit.
I’m her Daddy. I’ll give her exactly what she needs.
We turn to the priest and when Honey tries to move a step away I grab her hand and pull her close to me. I’m not letting her put space between us. She pulls for a minute but then gives in with a huff and a second later I feel her fingers grip my hand tight. Exactly like I thought. She needs me to take it from her. I can do that.
Good girl.
The priest takes a deep breath and looks down at the Bible in his hands before he lifts his head and gives the crowd his bravest smile. “We are gathered here today to see these two souls joined in wedding matrimony.”
Everyone falls silent while the priest speaks. I’m not paying attention, not really. I’m watching Zeus. I’m keeping a firm hand on Honey and trying to clock the room as best I can. I don’t like so many eyes behind me, but it can’t be helped given my current situation. Zeus is off to the side, watching us with a pleased smile that wouldn’t have you guessing I threatened to cut his hand off. I wonder what he’s planning, but when the priest asks for the rings, I know what it is because he steps up with a box in his hand and opens it with a snap of his wrist.
Inside there’s two rings. A ring with a ruby set in the middle of it, with black diamonds that ring the band of it. It’s big and flashy. Something you couldn’t pretend not to see from half a city block away and I know it’s nothing Honey would pick for herself. For me, there’s a plain gold band which is fine, but I still don’t want Zeus’ gold on my hands.
I don’t want anything that will make me owe him anymore than getting to be tied to Honey will cost me. I don’t want his diamonds on her, either. I know it’ll come at a price and Zeus is the kind to demand payment in full.
“Actually, we won’t be needing those,” I tell Zeus and the priest. The priest blinks at me owlishly and gives Zeus a questioning look.
Zeus tilts his head to the side. “Can’t get married without a ring, Law.”
I shrug and reach for my tie. “To some. We’ll go a different way,” I say as I loosen it and slide it from my neck. I hold it up and turn to Honey. “We’ll use this,” I tell her. I’m only talking to her. Not the priest or Zeus. Certainly not the fucking guests.
I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks but her.
She looks at me and then the tie with a confused look on her face. “Your tie?” She asks me. Good. She’s asking me, not Zeus. I’d lose it if she looked to him for directions like the priest. She’s my woman. Mywife. Zeus isn’t going to have a fucking say in what she does.
I nod and bring her hand up. She’s still clutching mine, her fingers have been digging into my hand the entire ceremony. Getting tighter and tighter with each word and second that passes. I turn fully to her so that I’m facing her and move the tie over the back of her hand.
“Handfasting,” I tell her quietly. “Rings will come later, but for now the tie will work.”
I don’t expect her to agree as quickly as she does, because all she’s done is fight with me all night, but I think Honey now understands just how dangerous it is to be in the red to a man like Zeus. That’s how she ended up here, after all. But I can’t say that I’m mad at whatever deal she made to end up with me being the one standing with her.
Zeus lets out a sigh and shuts the box in his hand with a snap. “How very old world of you,” he mutters and then flicks a hand at us as if granting permission. Even if he had said no, I wouldn’t be putting his ring on her finger. He knows that. I’ll let him save face now by making a little show of control for the guests. “Very well. Carry on with your…handfasting.”
I don’t answer him, just begin drawing the tie over Honey’s hand and around mine, again and again. I’m supposed to be saying my vows now. I don’t have pretty words or the romance that I know she deserves. All of this is so backward and messed up. She shouldn’t be marrying this version of me. She shouldn’t be here in this dark place with Zeus as her father. I should not be her way out.
But as it is…
I give her the best I can, because that’s all I know to do when it comes to Honey.
