Chapter Nine
Kayla
To say I’m living on cloud nine would be an understatement. I never imagined this marriage becoming real when I agreed to it. I thought for sure Austin was just doing this to help his brother’s friend, but I couldn’t have been more wrong about his intentions.
Now here I am, living in wedded bliss for all intents and purposes, in what is shaping up to be a real marriage, not just the sham I thought it would be to save the business I’ve worked so hard for.
The grin on my face as I chop the veggies for the salad is now permanent, I think. Getting sexed up by your childhood crush and him turning out to be the most amazing husband will do that to a woman, I suppose.
All of life’s problems have become so easy to handle.
They slide right off like water off a duck’s back because I know at the end of the day I’m coming home to a man who will not only rock my world but listen to what’s bothering me and make me feel cherished like I’m the only woman in the world he sees.
Austin strolls into the kitchen, and it’s as if he can read my thoughts and wants to prove them right. He comes to stand behind me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his hard, warm body. He nuzzles his nose just under my ear, kissing my skin.
“How long until dinner’s ready?” he murmurs against my neck as my head drops back against his shoulder.
“Um, about fifteen minutes.”
“Perfect,” he replies, spinning me around then yanking my leggings and panties down before helping me onto the counter. “Just enough time to ravage my wife.” He unbuckles his belt and unzips his pants.
I eagerly pull out his thickening length, stroking it with my hand, reveling in the velvety hardness. While I do, Austin shoves my bra and tank up to suck on my beaded nipples, and his fingers slide through my wet folds, circling my clit before plunging inside me, causing me to gasp.
“Honey, I’m hom… Ack what the fuck?!”
Brooks’ voice has me gasping for a completely different reason, one not nearly as good as what Austin has me gasping for. I scramble for my clothes, while Austin much more leisurely goes about tucking his dick away and zipping his pants.
“Are you decent yet?” Brooks growls from where he stands just inside the door with his back turned and hands on his hips.
“I was more than decent until you interrupted,” Austin grumbles.
“Stop." I smack his chest after hopping down from the counter and pulling up my pants. "Yes, we’re decent.”
“What? It’s the truth.” I can’t help but giggle when he nuzzles my neck, putting his arm around me.
“Again I ask. What. The. Actual. Fuck?!” Brooks’ eyes narrow on us. “I leave for two weeks and now you’re fucking my best friend, who you’re supposed to be making life easier for when life hits her hard? Way to take advantage of her when she’s down. Are you proud of yourself?”
I gasp at the vehemence in his voice, stepping between them when he lunges forward. “Brooks!”
Austin pulls me back into his side. “Actually, I am proud of myself. I’ve finally got what I’ve always wanted, and I couldn’t be fucking happier to be married to the woman I love. I plan to take care of her and make life easier for her for the rest of our lives.”
I melt against him, laying my head on his shoulder. “Aww, I love you too, baby.”
Brooks’ mouth hangs open as his gaze darts between his brother and me before shaking his head. “Did I get drunk, pass out, and am dreaming now? You two can barely stand each other. You only get along because of me. This marriage is fake.”
“Actually, I’ve had feelings for Kayla for a long time, but first she was too young and then I thought you had a thing for her and I didn’t want to get in the way of that. When you didn’t demand she marry you when you had the opportunity, I figured it was finally my chance.”
“I had a crush on Austin when I was much too young for him and figured he just always saw me as your friend and nothing more, especially with the way he kept his distance. I was confused when he was being everything I ever dreamed a husband could be and he confessed how he felt. Things just happened from there. He didn’t take advantage of me in any way and I’m disappointed that you think he would do that or that I would stand for something like that.
I hope you can get on board with this because he’s your brother and you’re my best friend.
I would hate for this to come between us. ”
Brooks runs a hand through his hair while blowing out a breath, looking toward the ceiling as if seeking divine intervention.
When he brings his gaze back to us, his eyebrows are furrowed.
“Look, this is all a lot to digest and wrap my head around. I want you both to be happy, and if that’s what you found with each other, then I’ll be thrilled for you, but it’s going to take some getting used to.
I’m sorry if I overreacted, but I never in a million years expected to walk in on what I just did, and frankly, I hope never to again. ”
“Fair enough, but just to warn you, you might want to find your own place then because I don’t intend to stop having my way with my wife whenever the hell I want, which is a lot.” Austin smirks at Brooks.
“Austin, stop!” I roll my eyes. “I think he’s been tormented enough for the evening.” The timer on the oven goes off, and I turn to pull out dinner. “You hungry?” I ask Brooks.
He shakes his head. “You seriously think I have an appetite after walking in on that? I’ve had a long drive. I’m just going to go to bed now.”
I grab his arm as he walks past. “We’re good, right?”
He studies me for a moment before nodding and pulling me in for a hug. “Yeah, we’re good.” His eyes narrow at Austin. “I’ll break your fucking fingers if you hurt her, though.”
Austin nods. “I’ll hand you the hammer to do so, should it ever come to that.”
Brooks tips his chin before heading down the hall to his bedroom. I turn and bury my face in Austin’s shoulder. “That could’ve gone better.”
He shrugs. “It could’ve been worse. He didn’t punch me. Just give him some time. We’ve had a couple of weeks to adjust, and we had hormones easing the way. He’s going to feel like an outsider for a while.”
“You’re going to have to learn how to keep your hands to yourself so he doesn’t feel like he’s intruding.”
“I’ll do my best until he gets used to the idea of us, but I can’t make any promises. After not being able to touch you for so long, I’m taking advantage of every opportunity now.”
“Yeah, well, just remember you have me for the rest of our lives, so there’ll be no shortage of opportunities anymore.”
“I suppose you’re right. Now let’s eat. I’m famished and need to get my strength up for later to make up for getting interrupted just now.”
“God, you really are shameless.”
He just grins. “And I always will be when it comes to you.”