Melody
Chapter sixty-two
What am I doing?
Why am I letting this happen?
As the reception begins, everyone is brought to a separate room while Kaden holds me back.
We stay on the altar as he rests a hand on the small of my back.
I don’t realize what’s happening until there are gasps and shouts from the banquet hall.
The sound of Dylan’s sex tape plays muffled as it reaches us, and my head whips around to Kaden.
“You…” I trail in shock.
He shrugs. “They deserve to know what he’s been up to behind everyone’s back.”
Dylan’s parents are the first to storm out, their faces red with embarrassment and anger as they stalk out of the venue. Slowly, the rest of his family follows, confused and hurt by the film they just watched. The tape is cut, and my husband ushers me forward.
Oh my god. My husband.
Kaden and I are married now.
This is so…insane.
I’m reeling as I trudge forward with my phantom at my side. He knows this is a lot for me, and he’s being cautious not to frighten me further. It’s a sweet sentiment, but what the fuck…
As we join everyone, it’s surreal to see Ivan’s enforcers trying to start small talk with my friends and family. They’re big and out of place as they converse about the decorations and the hotel. One tries to sweet-talk Kodi, and she rolls her eyes in response before sweeping over to me.
Her eyes glare into Kaden before she softens at the sight of me. “Ignore the brute beside you, but how are you feeling? Do you need to sit?”
I blink, nodding numbly as she takes my hand and pulls me out of Kaden’s grasp.
She brings me to the bride and groom’s table, helping me ease down on a chair as I stare out of the crowd that awkwardly stands around.
Mom and Dad are huddled together, Dad’s fanning her face, which is starting to get color back in it as he whispers softly to her.
She’s still in shock, and I don’t blame her.
Mine is slow to process, only taking hold of me now as I realize how real this all is.
“I’m married…” I mumble as Kodi grabs some ice from a bucket and wraps it in a napkin.
She holds it to my forehead, the coldness seeping into me. “Yes.”
“I’m married to Kaden…” I repeat.
“Unfortunately.”
I grab her wrist, my eyes snapping to her. “Oh, my god—”
“I know,” she murmurs softly.
The orchestra moves into the reception room, setting up their instruments before a soft, swelling song begins.
I lose track of time, my mind rushing with the events of this evening while I try to break down everything and not hurl all over the nice table.
Kodi leaves to get me something to drink when Kaden pulls out the chair beside me and sits.
“Are you hungry?” He whispers in my ear.
I slowly turn to him, the rage I’ve been searching for finally snapping into place. He forced me to marry him. He held our whole family at gunpoint. “You’re sick.” I spit.
He sighs, scrubbing a hand across his jaw. “Yeah, I have been for a very long time.”
That’s it?!
He says it as if it’s obvious!
I grab a champagne flute and down the alcohol. “If you expect a docile wife, you have another thing coming, Kaden.”
His lips twitch into that charming half-smirk that’s haunted my fantasies for years. “I would expect nothing less. You deserve to be angry with me, but later. Why don’t we enjoy our party tonight, and you can exact your revenge beginning tomorrow?”
My hand tightens on the glass before I stare out at the people.
They’re starting to loosen up, though it’s still tense.
Mom looks like she’s finally okay as she sits with Dad at a table and lifts a cup of water to her lips.
I don’t want to give in, but I also don’t want to ruin this further.
I worked hard on this wedding, and while I didn’t think I’d get everything I wanted, Kaden made it happen somehow.
I’m burning with fury at him, but beneath the flames lies a reluctant gratitude for what he’s done. It’s an impossible swirl, acid and honey in my veins.
I sit back in my chair with a sigh, holding my champagne up to my lips. “I’ll wave the white flag for now, but sleep with one eye open tonight, husband.”
He chuckles, the sound deep and pleasing to the ears. “How about some cake to tell you how sorry I am?”
My eyes snap to him. “Is it vanilla—”
“With buttercream frosting,” he nods as he finishes for me.
I purse my lips. “We aren’t supposed to cut it yet…”
He tilts his head, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling. “Hmm. I remember a ten-year-old girl who didn’t care whether it was time to cut the cake. I also remember stealing a piece for her before we hid under the table together.”
I crack a small smile at the memory. “She’s still in here.”
He holds out a hand to me as he stands. “Then would she mind accompanying me?”
I’m hesitant to take the hand of the devil who coerced me into marrying him. Even though, at my core, I know my heart still beats for Kaden, it’s hard to give myself so easily to him again. I’m not going to make this easy, but tonight, I want to live in my fantasies a little longer.
I slowly spread my fingers over his, accepting his invitation as he pulls me up from my chair.
My heels click across the floor as we head right for the massive four-tiered cake that stands tall like a beacon.
It’s beautiful with soft designs of white flowers and pearls, and I almost don’t want to ruin its luster by cutting into it.
Until my stomach grumbles and I realize I haven’t eaten since last night because I was too nauseated.
Kaden picks up a wide knife and holds it out to me. “It’s tradition that we cut it together.”
There’s a fluttering sensation that starts in my lower belly as my cheeks flush and I take it.
My husband positions himself behind me, his large hand covering mine as my inked birthday flashes near his knuckles.
Everywhere he touches ignites flames, and I hate that my body still responds so easily to him.
I’m hopeless.
We cut into the bottom layer, our hands working together to cut a thick wedge as Kaden grabs a plate for me. We slowly work it onto the dish, the dessert flopping over messily as I grin.
“It’s also tradition that we feed each other…” my husband’s husky voice whispers in my ear as he kisses my pulse.
My spine shivers as I swallow.
Can feeding each other really be sexy? Why am I thinking this?
I don’t know what compels me to do it, but I scoop up some cake and frosting between my fingers, offering it to him as I glance up through my lashes.
Kaden’s gaze sears me as he gently grabs my wrist, and his lips part around the dessert.
His eyes close as his tongue sweeps over my digits and his piercing rubs against my skin.
Well, there’s my answer.
I’m going to combust.
He releases me, drawing back before doing the same thing.
He scoops a generous amount of cake, grabbing the part with the most icing because he knows it’s what I want, as he holds it out to me.
I follow his lead, my fingers wrapping around his wrist before I take the sugary frosting into my mouth.
It’s perfect, with the right ratio and a light almond flavor.
But I’m no longer focused on cake as my tongue lavishes his digits as if I’m sucking his cock.
My eyes flutter as I bob my head slightly, making a show of it all.
Kaden’s jaw flexes as his eyes narrow dangerously on me.
I’m taunting him, giving him a taste of what I could do if only he hadn’t fucked with my head.
As I draw back, his thumb rubs over my bottom lip, dragging it until it bounces back in place.
I bite his finger, not hard enough to elicit pain, but enough to make my stance on our little war abundantly clear.
You can have your fun, but tomorrow, there won’t be a dutiful wife waiting for you.
He brings his glistening fingers to his mouth, stealing what I left over on his digits as he stares at me with knowing eyes.
Game on.
“You two are freaked out,” Saint says with amusement lacing his voice from behind us.
There’s an audible smack before Kodi pipes in. “Shut the hell up. Be glad I only slapped you upside the head, you fucking rat.”
As the cake-cutting ends and people scatter, I clear my throat, pulling my gaze away from Kaden as I pinpoint my mom across the venue.
She’s alone now, staring at her champagne flute with distant eyes as she crosses her legs under the table.
I don’t know why I feel guilty, but it has me moving before anyone can stop me.
As I near her table, I pull out the chair beside her. “Is this seat taken?”
She peers over her shoulder at me, her face softening. “Of course not.”
I ease down, sighing as I try to find the words. I take the lace of my dress between my fingers, rubbing it as my mouth opens and closes repeatedly.
“I’ve always known…” Mom says quietly, causing my head to whip up to her.
She takes my hand in hers, brushing her thumb over my knuckle.
“You two were inseparable. I think I realized it the day we had family pictures, and you and Kaden came back from the creek covered in mud. The way he looked at you…” She shakes her head, sniffling as her eyes become glassy and get a fondness to them.
“He looked at you like your father used to look at me all those years ago…”
“Mom…” I whisper, unable to get past this. She knew. This whole time.
Her eyes shift to me, riddled with age but still so affectionate and caring. “I’ve only ever wanted what was best for you, Jellybean. If Kaden makes you happy, then I’m happy.”
I blink, battling my own tears. “Oh, I’m so pissed at him right now.”
“Rightfully so,” Mom muses. “I think your dad is outside smoking a cigarette. He needs it right now.”
My eyes widen. “Maxwell Wilder smoking?”
“The horror,” she agrees. “None of us know what to make of this situation.”
“Imagine being the bride,” I smirk.