Keaton and Austen make their vows, and they are beautiful and heartfelt, but I am only half-listening as I watch my boyfriend, praying he holds it together, at least until the ceremony is over. He will never forgive himself if he makes a scene.
Applause rings out, joined by several whoops and hollers, as the officiant pronounces them husband and husband, and Austen and Keaton share a passionate kiss. I glance along the row, smiling at the evident emotion on everyone’s faces. All the women are crying, some of Kent’s brothers too, while the kids stand around, bemused by all the weeping adults.
I breathe a sigh of relief when the officiant brings the ceremony to a close, and Keaton and Austen join hands, heading back down the aisle.
I slip out of my seat, moving to Kent’s side. Keanu is talking in his ear as Colton and Orwell send perplexed looks his way. Keanu lifts his head when he sees me approaching, and there is no disguising the concern on his face.
“Kent.” I cup his face, focusing his gaze on mine, silently cursing when I see how dilated his pupils are.Fuck.He’s on something, and I’m not talking about the beer he chugged back just before the ceremony. My stomach twists into knots, but I know what I need to do. “Honey.” I lean up, pressing my lips to his until I feel him thawing underneath me. “It’s okay,” I whisper. “It’s over.”
Kent’s chest rises and falls, and he casts his eyes around, watching everyone heading toward the refreshment area off to the left. His shoulders relax as he pulls me into his chest, holding me tight. His heart is going crazy under my ear, and he’s trembling. Tears prick my eyes, and I hurt for my broken man. I want to know who has hurt him, and I’m going to make them pay.
Selena comes up behind us, and Keanu tucks his wife into his side, shooting me a troubled look. “We’re good, guys,” I say, plastering a reassuring smile on my face. “You should join the others. We’ll be there in a minute.”
Keanu looks uncertain, but Selena pulls him away, and I shoot her a grateful look.
“It’s just us.” I circle my arms around the back of Kent’s neck. “Talk to me.”
“That was harder than I thought,” he admits, planting his hands on my ass.
“That was the hardest part, and you got through it.” Every part of me hurts for him. He should be able to enjoy his brother’s wedding like everyone else. It shouldn’t be something he has to “survive.”
“You look beautiful,” he says, peering down at me. “I knew the second you tried this dress on that it was the one for you.” Kent insisted on taking me to Saks Fifth Avenue, and he spent an outrageous amount of money on this dress, a matching purse, and shoes.
I joined the other Kennedy women in Alex’s room earlier to get my hair and makeup done. Alex hired a few professional hairdressers and makeup artists she knows from her fashion empire days, and they worked their magic on all of us. I’ve got to admit I feel like a million dollars.
I left my hair down, because Kent loves messing with it, and it tumbles in sleek soft waves to my shoulders. Although it feels like they slapped a ton of makeup on my face, I was pleasantly surprised that it looks understated and natural, and it complements my green dress perfectly. I love how the knee-length silk and lace Dolce and Gabbana dress swirls around my hips and sashays as I walk. The top is pretty plain, and it goes up to my neckline, but it plunges into a V on my back, meaning I couldn’t wear a bra. Thank fuck there was one built in because my boobs need the support.
“I’m a lucky bastard to have found you,” he says, pushing his hand up under the dress and sliding it up my thigh. He fixes me with a cheeky grin as his fingers brush against my panties.
I want to rage at him for the way his eyes can’t even focus on me. One part of me understands why he felt the need to take something to get through the day, but another part of me is pissed he did. He promised he would stop using drugs, and for the most part, he has. Sure, he still smokes a joint most nights and he enjoys the occasional few beers, but he has reined in that reckless part of his behavior, and I haven’t had any recent doubts.
Until now.
But today isn’t about me, and starting an argument with Kent is not part of the agenda. I need to play my part to ensure he gets through this weekend without causing any trouble. So, I’ll bite my tongue until we return to Boston, but then I’m letting him have it.
I will not tolerate my boyfriend turning to drugs instead of me.
I will not go down this slippery slope again.
If Kent is serious about me, he’s got to find a way to completely stop. Otherwise, there is no future for us.
“Not here.” I pull away from him when his fingers move under my panties, rubbing against my hot flesh.
“I need you, Presley baby,” he murmurs against my neck, yanking me back to him, pressing his erection against my side so I can feel how hard he is.
“Kent, the wedding has only just started.” I’m conscious we’ve been standing here for longer than is explainable. Taking his hand, I pull him off the platform. “Let’s mingle, and we can find someplace to sneak off to later.”
But Kent is not one to be deterred, and I’m guessing whatever he’s taken is to blame for his current horny status. He leads me into the castle, holding my hand tight as he storms down one long hallway, pulling me into the first unlocked room he finds. It’s a small library with rows of books surrounding a seated area with two couches, a few comfy chairs, a desk, and a big ornate fireplace.
Kent locks the door and presses me up against it, crashing his mouth down on mine as he fumbles with his belt. I help him, tugging his pants and boxers down, freeing his straining length. “I’m so hot for you, Presley baby. You get me so hard.”
My fingers curl around his shaft, and I pump him in fast measured strokes as he yanks my panties down to my ankles and shoves my dress up to my waist. “Don’t rip anything,” I warn him, because he likes rough sex and it’s not uncommon for him to tear my panties or articles of my clothes in his haste to get inside me.
“Don’t worry, baby,” he says as he rolls a condom on. “The only thing I’ll be ripping is your pussy because I’m gonna fucking destroy it.”
I’d thump him for that crass statement in any other situation, but right now, he needs me and that takes precedence.
Kent slams into me without warning, and I bite down on my lip to smother my screams. He stretches my arms up over my head, holding my wrists in one hand, as he drives his cock inside me, holding one of my hips in his free hand. He rocks into me, slamming me back against the door, and I pray no one is outside in the hallway. His mouth descends on mine in a punishing kiss, and God help me, but I love when he just takes what he wants, using my body to sate this unquenchable thirst inside him.
