CHAPTER 4 KAYLEE
When we pull into the Wynn where the wedding is set to take place today, obviously the paparazzi already knew since they’re waiting in a row outside to snap photos of everyone arriving for today’s event.
I’m in sweats, sunglasses perched on my nose and hair pulled up in a messy bun since stylists are already here ready to make me beautiful.
Ben’s in jeans and an Aces t-shirt, looking hot as fuck without even trying.
I’m sure they want photos of Ben given his recent status in the news, and the two of us pause to smile as we exit the vehicle.
At Ellie’s encouragement, we’re showing our united front, and as I cling closely to his side, I’m trying to show the world that I believe him.
I believe in him. I won’t let somebody else’s lies destroy us.
And to that end, I posted a story to my Instagram last night. It was just a quick video where in no uncertain terms I explained that the woman accusing my fiancé of harassment is flat out lying and that Ben Olson would never disrespect a woman the way she’s saying he did.
I felt better after I said my piece, and I’m at a point now where I don’t care what other people think.
I know the truth. I want to clear his name.
But today isn’t about Ben’s scandal. Instead, it’s about the love between my brother and the woman he’s already married to, and today’s the day where their union will finally be public so the world knows Jack Dalton is happily married to the woman he loves.
It’s a family event, and it’s simple and gorgeous as the happy couple focuses on what’s most important in their lives: family and love.
We’ll need to go our separate ways since the ladies are getting ready in the bridal suite by the chapel and the men are getting ready in a room Jack rented somewhere near the top floor of the hotel.
My mother is waiting for me in the hotel lobby, and he bends to give me a quick kiss for the benefit of the cameras before he heads toward the bank of elevators.
I grab onto his shirt and pull him in for a longer embrace, and I don’t care that my mom is right here since we have the excuse of showing off for the cameras.
I want him to linger here with me a little longer, and I want to hold onto him forever.
But we have a day to get ready for.
My mom ushers me toward the bridal suite, where I find Kate in a chair getting her make-up done and Ellie in the chair beside the bride getting her hair done. I grab an orange juice off a counter on one side of the room before I walk over to my sisters-in-law.
“Good morning,” I say cheerfully. “The paps are out front.”
“They were when we got here, too,” Ellie says. “Did you and Ben smile for the cameras?”
“Of course,” I say, my eyes edging over to the stylists. As much as I want to gossip with her right now, I have no idea who these women are or who they might talk to after this event. We can’t afford for more witnesses to blab our truth to the press.
“I need to talk to you about something,” Ellie says, and I nod as I have a gut feeling I know what she wants to talk to me about.
There was that little kiss on the patio Ben gave me when I confessed he was enough for me. She never mentioned it…and I have a feeling Ben’s big body did nothing to hide it from her view, and since we’re supposed to be faking, there would be no reason for the two of us to share a kiss on his patio.
Except there was a reason, and that reason was that I just told him I was willing to give up the future I wanted since I was a child for a future with him.
And that’s a pretty damn big deal.
“Sure,” I say.
“You’re up next on make-up, Kay,” Kate says to me, and I’m not sure when Ellie’s going to confront me with her questions, but I’m already scrambling to come up with my excuse.
I hate lying to my family.
We should just give in and tell the truth, especially since we’re getting married—and not just for show—in thirteen days.
I’m just not ready—not this weekend, anyway.
Maybe we’ll find the right time in Montana.
Kate’s done before Ellie, so she doesn’t get a chance to usher me off to talk. Kate slides into Ellie’s chair when her hair is done, and Ellie sits in mine when my make-up is perfect. Once my hair is finished, we carefully step into our gowns, and then it’s time for pictures.
We don’t get a chance to chat before the ceremony, which is fine by me…even though I have this ominous feeling hanging over me that she’s going to confront me about that kiss.
It’s showtime.
We head toward the chapel, and I spot Ben waiting outside of it.
He freezes when he spots me, and it’s like everything in the room pauses for just a beat as the two of us make eye contact across the room.
Holy. Shit.
He’s beautiful.
He’s in a tux, and it’s rare I get to see him all dressed up, but it’s a real treat for the eyes. He’s tall and lean and gorgeous in that suit, and I hope I get the chance to take it off him because it’ll be like unwrapping the hottest present I’ve ever received in my entire life.
I snap to when Ellie giggles as Luke takes her in his arms and spins her around, and then we take our places in line.
Ellie and Luke are deep in whispered conversation with one of the wedding planners from the Wynn several feet behind Ben and me, and I take my chance to talk to him before we’re signaled to walk down the aisle. I slide my arm through his so he can escort me.
Before I get a chance to open my mouth, though, Ben leans down close to my ear.
“You look beyond fuckable today. You always look fuckable, but the second I saw you, I envisioned you bent over somewhere with that dress pushed up around your waist while I took you from behind.”
I clear my throat as my cheeks get all hot and heat pools between my legs.
“As soon as this ceremony is over, you’re mine,” he says. He pulls back and his eyes are hot on mine.
“But my whole family is here,” I whisper, my protest weak since I would actually love to disappear somewhere for a few minutes with him.
He shrugs. “We’ll find somewhere.”
“Ellie wants to talk to me about something. I think she saw the kiss on the patio on Friday,” I whisper yell.
He glances down at me, and his eyes are full of merriment—something I didn’t expect to see there. “It’s fine. Just tell her it was a thank you kiss for sticking by me and deciding to marry me. Friends kiss, right?”
“No, they don’t, actually,” I say, and he chuckles.
“I’ll do it right here in front of all these people,” he whispers.
“Kiss me?”
“Okay,” he says, and he leans down as I freeze. “Jesus, Peaches. You should see your face right now.” He pretends to brush something off my cheek as he straightens. “Are you really that worried about your family finding out the truth?”
I shrug. “I just don’t want to steal any of the attention from Kate and Jack today.”
“I get that. And we’ll find somewhere secret where you don’t have to worry about anybody finding out.”
“Promise?” I ask.
“It’s a guarantee,” he murmurs, and my legs feel a little weak as the heat that started pooling a moment ago turns into an intense ache.
I love his promises and guarantees.
I love sex with him.
I love him.
And I can’t wait until this wedding is over so he can deliver on that guarantee.
We’re standing at the altar waiting for Kate when “Here Comes the Bride” starts playing, and I see my brother as he looks with emotion toward the bride as she makes her way down the aisle with her arm tucked into her dad’s.
I’m not watching Kate, though, or even Jack. I just happen to see Jack in my periphery as I look past him and beyond Luke, who stands beside him, at the groomsman on the other side.
Ben’s eyes meet mine, and it’s so strange to think that this will be us in a couple weeks.
Right now, only Ellie knows our plan.
But soon we’ll tell everybody, and then when I look across the aisle at the man I’m looking at now, we won’t have other people standing between us. It’ll just be him and me up there as we say our vows.
I wonder what words will comprise those vows.
I don’t think we should do the traditional ‘til death do us part phrasing considering this is all still new and I just decided like five minutes ago that I’m cool with not having kids if it means I get to spend a lifetime with Ben.
But still…it’s all happening so fast. We’re rushing it to help stem media speculation, but we’re both dedicated to the commitment we’re making. Still…until death sounds like a long time.
I’m sure our wedding planner will help us figure out the right way to phrase things.
Our wedding planner. Even the mere thought of that is a little terrifying.
But this is what I want.
I’m sure of it.
The ceremony is short, traditional, and meaningful, and when it’s over, I’m hopeful I’ll get a few minutes alone with Ben.
I don’t. Instead, we’re forced to stick around for photos, and then we eat tacos and cake, and we watch the happy couple—who are ridiculously adorable, by the way—dance their first dance together, and then the wedding party dances to a Motley Crue song.
Ben disappears for a minute—probably to the restroom, and when I spot him walking back into the reception area, he beelines right for me as I stand near the bar talking to my mom.
I’m hopeful this is our moment. He must’ve found somewhere to whisk me away to so he can bend me over and show me how fuckable I am.
Whew.
I’m getting hot just thinking about it.
He’s only halfway across the room when a woman’s voice close to my ear asks, “Can we talk now?”
Disappointment blooms deep in my belly as I turn to Ellie. “Of course.”
My heart pounds as she leads me away from everybody for a quick private chat. This is the moment. I hate lying, and she’s going to put me on the spot and force me to do it since I’m so damn protective over what Ben and I are forming.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this fake wedding thing?” she asks.
My brows knit together in confusion. “What?” I ask stupidly. That’s not at all what I thought she was going to ask me.
“I just…I know marriage should be once and forever, and I know how you were against Luke and me getting married when you thought we were faking it. I don’t want to pressure you into something you don’t want to do.”
I shake my head a little. “No, it’s fine.” Because I’m so damn in love with him.
I want to say the words, but I don’t. It’s not the right time. My family is close. Too close sometimes. If I tell Ellie, Luke will know in ten seconds flat. If Jack somehow found out tonight…I don’t want anything to spoil this day for him and Kate.
“Are you sure?” she presses.
I nod. “Yeah. I’m sure.”
“It’s just…something seems off with you.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing off.”
“Do you, um…” she stutters and trails off. “Are you starting to have real feelings for him?” she asks quietly.
“Real feelings?” I repeat, and then I burst out laughing as I give this performance my all. “Are you kidding? For Ben?”
She echoes my laugh and shrugs. “Well, I wasn’t sure. I see the way you two look at each other and it just sometimes seems like there might be something there that isn’t part of the act.”
I force another laugh. “We’ve just gotten good at the act, Ellie. We’re living together, practicing all the time…” And by practicing, I actually mean fucking.
“Yeah, that makes sense,” she concedes. “I just wanted to make sure you’re good with all this. Just between the two of us, you know? Without Ben in the conversation.”
“I’m good with it. We’re having fun.”
“I know you are,” she says, and she squeezes my arm. “I just don’t want it to get in the way of your future. I know you want a big family and kids, and I don’t want this to set you back on your goals.”
I shake my head. “My life is very much in transition right now, and this feels like just the sort of adventure that I need.”
She presses her lips together. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
I nod resolutely as if to tell her I’m sure.
I’m more than sure about Ben. I just hope I can live with the other big decision I’m making.