When I round the corner, Madison and Kelsey are in the foyer, and the breath catches in my lungs.They aren’t changed yet, but everything else is done: hair, makeup, nails.They’re both wearing tight black leggings and tank tops.
It’s fucking hard to focus on Madison, but I manage to lean in and kiss her cheek.“Myles is in the library.Why don’t you two go upstairs to finish getting ready?”Their dresses are hanging in Madison’s childhood room.
Madison is beaming.I love seeing the happiness on her face.She’s not a crazy bride.As far as I’ve noticed, she’s been calm from the moment he proposed.
Kelsey isn’t meeting my gaze, but that’s not a shocker.It’s my fault she’s pissed, and as far as either of us knows, Madison is unaware of the odd relationship I have with her friend.Today is not the day to reveal such things.
Hell, I haven’t spoken to Kelsey since last night.She might be thinking about all the ways she can avoid me or stab me in my sleep.For some reason, the thought of her ire only makes me hotter.
I won’t continue to needle her, though.I’d rather see her smiling than growling at me.
“Have you two eaten?”I ask.I don’t want anyone passing out during the ceremony because they haven't eaten all day.
Madison nods.“Yes, they had a lovely charcuterie board for us at the salon.It was perfect.”
“Good.”
They take off upstairs, and I’m left standing, watching Kelsey, who has not acknowledged my presence.
When they’re out of sight, I turn away and head for the kitchen.I need a cup of coffee.I suspect Myles could use one, too.
While I’m leaning against the counter, waiting for it to brew, I’m startled to find Kelsey entering the room.
She hesitates, her breath hitching before she hurries past me toward the fridge.“Just grabbing some water,” she mumbles.
Before she can reach for the handle, I gently grab her arm and pull her toward me, grateful that she doesn’t fight me.She still doesn’t look up, but she lets me haul her between my legs.
I tip her chin up with one finger.“I’m sorry, Kels.”I’ve never used that shortened version of her name.It slips out.It sounds intimate.
She holds my gaze.“It’s fine.”
“No.It’s not.”
She shrugs.“Let’s forget it happened.”
“Not a chance.Let’s address it instead.”
She grits her teeth.
“How’s your bottom?”
Her cheeks turn pink.“Mr.Kennedy…”
I lean in closer.“Fuck that, Kels.We’re not at the club, nor are we in a scene or at work.It’s Hendrix.I want to know if your pretty cheeks still hurt from last night’s spanking.Are you going to tell me, or do I need to bend you over and look for myself?”
Her breath hitches.Her face turns redder.“It’s fine,” she mutters.
I lower one hand to her ass and squeeze.
She winces and rises onto her toes.
“Kels…”
“It’s fine, Sir.I need to go back upstairs.Maddie is going to wonder what’s taking me so long.”
My heart races.What is it about this woman and my need to spar with her?She causes me to make spur-of-the-moment, unplanned decisions.I thread my fingers with hers and drag her into the pantry.After turning on the lights, I shut the door.“The sooner you turn around, lower your pants, and bend over so I can see howfineyou are for myself, the sooner you can get back to Madison.”
“You can’t be serious.”
