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Against his own good advice, he kissed her. When she kissed him back, she whimpered into his mouth. It didn’t feel like she was acting.
He pulled back and looked down at her momentarily dazzled expression, wishing like hell he weren’t leaving town for a few days. Being social at the wedding was going to be hard with this little brat wreaking havoc in his head. “Are you ready to be a good girl for me now, Everly?”
There was a moment where he could actually see her throw off the submissive responses he’d won from her. Instead of pissing him off, it excited him. Just how much dominance would it take to keep her subby? If he ever got her into subspace, how long until she fought it off again?
Mischief sparked in her gaze.
“I don’t know.” She smiled up at him sweetly. “If I’m a good girl, do I get a treat?”
* * *
The ocean breeze stirred the white sheers covering the bedroom window. The scent of cool, salty ocean had Ambrose wishing they had time to go for a swim. But no such luck.
“Does my tie look straight?” Ba
“Yup, but your best man doesn’t.” Rook snickered. Konstantin laughed and high-fived Ba
“Lads, this isn’t the time for tomfoolery. We’re in the middle of a necktie crisis.” Ambrose pointed at Ba
Ba
Ambrose shook his head. “It was always you she wanted, the silly girl. There’s no accounting for taste. Personally, I find you repulsive. And you can’t even cook.”
“I may not be able to cook, but I keep her mouth busy.”
“Hoooo, heyyyyy. TMI. No roughing the listener.” Rook pretended to clap his hands over his ears, but the teenager rarely missed anything. “I still think you should have gone with a bowtie.” He shook his head in disapproval.
“A bowtie is too formal for a beach wedding.”
“It’s your wedding. If you want a bowtie, I’ll go out there right now and mug a concierge.” Konstantin cracked his knuckles. His accent made him sound dangerous, even though he was joking. Maybe.
“Stand down. Ixnay on the bowtie idea. Kate likes a regular tie.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard all about how much she likes you in a suit.” Konstantin laughed. “Your dry cleaning bill must be enormous.”
“Like his dick,” Ambrose shot back.
Rook snorted then went to Ba
“Which one of us do you think would be the top?” Without warning, Ba
Ambrose worked at wrestling Ba
“Sixteen-year-old standing here.” Rook grimaced and waved his arms. “Shut up before I need more therapy.”
“If you two destroy your suits, Kate is going to kick your asses.” Konstantin pulled them apart.
Ba
Konstantin checked his own reflection then turned back to Ba
To Ambrose, forever with Kate didn’t sound like much of a chore. She was fu
Personally, Ambrose couldn’t imagine trusting forever.
Things with Shae had been so good, so solid. Then, without any warning, she was gone. Not even a note, just the engagement ring he’d given her on his nightstand, along with her public collar. Two days later she’d texted to say it wasn’t going to work long-term, but didn’t answer him when he tried to open a dialogue. They’d run into each other a few times since then, but he’d kept it pleasant even though it was painfully awkward, even years later.
All of the wedding-pla
The ring he’d given to a homeless man downtown. The dress he’d returned to the store to reuse or dispose of. Sitting in the closet, the dress had mocked him, tempting him to unwrap it and wallow in the past. He’d asked Shae if she wanted them, but she’d never texted back.
Did she ever think of him with regret?
There was a knock at the door. Ba
As they filed out of the room, Ambrose did his best to straighten out his head along with his suit. Today wasn’t about him and his shit.
The afternoon was su
Ugh. He would not think about her sassy mouth and the way she gasped when he grabbed her by the hair. The last thing he needed was a boner as he stood in his best friend’s wedding.
Even though it was a destination wedding, there were still about a hundred guests. They’d wanted to keep it intimate, but between family and friends, the numbers had added up fast.
As he and the rest of the guys lined up at the front to wait for the bridesmaids to make their entrance, Ambrose sca
He raised a hand to acknowledge their buddy Chris, who was baby-wrangling while his wife, Janine, stood as Kate’s matron of honor. Ba
Eventually, the violinist started to play, and the bridesmaids—Janine, Meadow, and Kate’s friend Bethany from work—processed down the sandy aisle, between the rows of chairs. How they walked so gracefully in the sand was a mystery. He knew for a fact he’d be finding somewhere to sit and empty his shoes at the end of the ceremony.
Kate appeared in a simple white shift dress. She wore her public collar, and her feet were bare. She was luminous.
Ambrose glanced at Ba
As the couple exchanged vows, rings, and kisses, Ambrose looked on, feeling guilty about his cynical thoughts. If anyone could stay married and happy, it was these two.
The day was a blur of standing, posing, and polite smiles. They behaved for the sake of the other guests, but at one point during the outdoor reception, Ambrose and Ba
Later, the photographer said it was the most interesting photoshoot she’d ever done.
Di