Chapter Seventy-Four
The photographer stepped forward and Kelley forced a smile on his face for their wedding picture. They wouldn’t be going off for a whole shoot and now Kelley was glad for it. He felt infinitely uncomfortable and he knew she was too.
This time he offered her his arm instead of his hand and they walked out of the chapel and under a canopy of rose petals that fell on them as Kelley led her to the SUV. He opened the door and then lifted her into it as she struggled with the train of her dress.
Kelley walked around, nodding his head at Connor who climbed into the SUV behind theirs and climbed in. He pressed the button of the partition, lowering it halfway. “To the house, Black.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Black was Harry Blackwell, retired Army Marine and acting as Kelley’s driver today. He was also packing enough firepower to take out a small gang should they run into any trouble. The console in front of Kelley also held a gun but he let the partition close again and leaned back in his seat.
Milana fidgeted with the ring on her finger and Kelley looked at it before looking at her. She was looking down again and Kelley hated it. He had no idea what to say to her and he dreaded the impending reception.
“Hi.”
Kelley turned to look at her again. “Hi.”
“Thank you for earlier … with the kiss.” She still wasn’t looking at him.
“Don’t mention it.”
Milana turned her head and gazed out of the window and silence ensconced them. Kelley remained quiet too and wondered how soon he could throw everyone out of his house and lock himself away in his study.
Kelley was already dreading the reception and too soon they reached the house and Black opened the door for Milana, taking her hand and helping her out of the car. Kelley reached them just as Connor parked his car and fell into step behind Kelley. “Congratulations, Sir, Ma’am.”
Milana didn’t register Connor speaking to her and Kelley gave him a look as she stood there and looked up at his house, their house. Ernesto’s loud voice came from behind them and Kelley gritted his teeth, already irritated beyond his limit.
Marella had outdone herself again. The overly large sunroom at the back of the house had been transformed. Intimate tables were scattered around the room with a makeshift bar at the back. The bridal table sat on a dais and the room erupted into cheers and applause when they walked inside.
He pulled Milana’s chair out for her and she sat down, looking around at her wedding reception where she hadn’t had a say in anything, not the cake or the food or the décor. Kelley wondered briefly if she even liked anything but then told himself that he didn’t care, she was a Romano.
Kelley drained three glasses of scotch before stopping. Drinking away the night wouldn’t work, he preferred a clear head and starting his day tomorrow with a hangover wouldn’t do. They went through the rituals of the first dance, cutting the cake and skipping over the speeches.
He spotted Jesse at the bar and headed towards him with a smile on his face. He and Milana hadn’t said another word to each other unless they had to and he needed an escape. Jesse turned at the last moment and ordered another drink from the barman.
“All grown up and married.” Jesse handed him the second glass and Kelley accepted it, draining it in one swallow.
“Yeah … talking about being all grown up when are you walking down the aisle with my sister?”
Jesse just looked at Kelley, looking almost bored and Kelley smiled again. “As soon as she says yes.”
“She’s still punishing you for pushing her away four years ago?”
Jesse finally smiled and looked down briefly as he stuck his hands in his pants pockets. “She’s a tough nut to crack, that one.”
“Give her an ultimatum, either marry you or it’s over.”
Jesse opened his mouth, closed it and opened it again. “Are you insane? She’d hit me upside the head and then kick my ass before leaving.”
“I’d help her.”
Jesse laughed then. “You give shit advice.”
“Kelley … don’t go putting ideas into Jesse’s head.” Marley looked radiant and happy and she leaned against Jesse as he put his arm around her waist.
“Me? Never. You scare me on a good day.”
Marley laughed and her eyes twinkled. “Good. Now Jesse you owe me a dance and when we get home tonight I expect that something hard in your pocket to come out.”
“Holy shit, Marley! I’m standing right here!” Kelley’s shocked expression made Marley laugh loudly.
“I’m talking about the ring he’s been carrying around with him! Gross, Kelley, what were you thinking of?”
“Gross? I’ll show you something else when we get home, my hand reddening your ass.”
Marley swallowed and Kelley made a gagging noise before escaping that conversation. He noticed Milana sitting alone at the bridal table, Ernesto and his family laughing loudly at their table, guzzling wine like it was going out of fashion. She yawned and Kelley looked at his watch. It was late.
“Thank you, everyone, for spending the day with us. I wish you goodnight and safe travels. My wife and I will retire now.”
It hadn’t been a suggestion and he saw Connor speaking to the staff members and he turned back towards Milana. “Come on, you look dead on your feet.”
She stood up dutifully as staff handed thank-you gifts to the guests and he saw Lee herding a stumbling Ernesto out of the sunroom. He’d remember to thank him later. He walked through another door that led them to a back staircase that was off-limits to the rest of the guests and herded Milana up the stairs.
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to say goodbye to your family.”
“It’s okay.”
Kelley opened a door on the top floor and switched the lights on. “This is your room.”
“I’m not staying with you?”
“Did you want to?”
Her eyes widened at Kelley’s question and she took a step backwards, away from him. “No.”
“That’s what I thought. My room is at the end of the hall.”
Kelley pursed his lips and turned towards the door. He closed it behind him and pulled off his tie as he headed to his own bedroom. He had no idea what he was doing. He was married now and Kelley saw the great season of drought upon him. He wasn’t a cheater so celibacy would be in his future.
