Spencer hit the call button and spoke quietly to Dominic. “Where are they now?”
“They’ve been provided with separate rooms in the VIP tower as you requested, sir.”
“Excellent. Comp them whatever they want, but they are not to leave the resort until I speak with each of them. Separately, of course.”
“Understood.”
Soft, tanned arms reached around his waist, the warmth of a lush, naked female body pressed against his back. “On your phone already. Does this mean we’re going back to reality today?”
Spencer turned and gathered her in his arms and kissed her forehead. “Just briefly. Then I’m coming right back here and picking up where we left off.”
Kayla reached between them and cupped him lovingly, adding a few caresses to his quickly stiffening member. “How about we pick up now?”
“You’re insatiable.” Spencer growled and lifted her up so that her legs wrapped around his waist.
“Yes, but you knew that before you married me,” she replied, impaling herself on him in a smooth, slow glide.
“So I did.”
Spencer made slow, sweet love to his wife, worshipping her to the best of his ability. Only afterward, when they were in the shower together, did she bring up the earlier phone call. “So who is important enough to interrupt our honeymoon for? Did something happen last night?”
“Yes, but not like you’re thinking,” he said, wishing their parents hadn’t put him in this position. Now that the wedding was over, however, Kayla needed to hear the truth. “Our parents decided to crash the wedding, probably with the intent of putting a stop to it.”
“Our parents?” she echoed carefully. “As in, your father and my mother?”
He nodded. “Yes. Security intercepted them at the airport and kept them in the dungeon room until after we left last night to keep them from causing any trouble.”
“The dungeon room?” she laughed. “I’ll bet they loved that. Serves them right, though. Is that the phone call Ingrid got right before the ceremony?”
“Yes.”
“I knew it! I knew something had happened.”
“Ingrid had everything under control. By the time I was summoned, they were already in isolation.”
“Wait. You knew and you didn’t tell me?”
Spencer hesitated, unable to decipher Kayla’s expression or her tone of voice. His first instinct was to distract, possibly manipulate the facts to make it sound better. If he had been dealing with anyone else, he would have. But he didn’t want to lie to Kayla. She was more than just his wife on paper; she was a kindred spirit that had crawled deep inside his heart and soul.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “I knew and I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want anything to ruin the day for you.”
She stared up at him, blinking once, then twice. Then her features softened and she smiled. “You are the most considerate, thoughtful man I have ever met.”
He chuckled, relieved and a little surprised. “Not many people would agree with you.”
“I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Treat me right and we’re good.”
“That’s one of the things I love most about you.” Spencer turned off the shower and grabbed an oversized bath towel, drying Kayla before himself. He started at the top and worked down, taking a brief moment to kiss her breasts before going down on his knees and providing extra TLC to her sweet core.
One of her legs lifted to his shoulder as her hands tangled in his wet hair, demanding and encouraging at the same time.
“I want to go with you,” she said breathlessly a few minutes later as she ran her soapy hands over his torso and worked her way downward.
“Are you certain?”
“Absolutely. We need to present a united front and that will send a powerful message: Nobody fucks with us.”
Spencer had never had someone by his side when facing off against his father, but he had to admit, he liked the idea. “All right, united front it is.”
Then she took him in her mouth and everything else fled his mind.
Chapter Seven
Self-confidence was not something Kayla lacked, but walking into Sate hand in hand with Spencer was a rush, every damn time. Today, it was even more so. Perhaps it was just a case of altered perception, but being Spencer’s wife instead of just his lover made a bigger difference than she would have expected. After all, they had been together and exclusive for some time.
Being with Spencer was changing a lot of her perceptions. Growing up, she’d always seen marriage as nothing more than a piece of paper filed in a courthouse somewhere. But this felt like more than that. Spencer hadn’t just given her his name or access to his incredible wealth. Kayla believed that the vows they had taken the day before – as well as the ones they had made with their bodies afterward – had bound them together on a deeper level. For the first time in her life, Kayla actually felt connected to another human being.
That was some powerful stuff, and definitely something worth protecting.
Dominic and Ingrid were waiting for them. After initial greetings and a brief update, they went directly to Spencer’s office. Spencer sat behind his desk in his big executive chair; Kayla remained adjacent, half-sitting on the desk while they awaited their uninvited guests. Spencer had wanted to keep the visit as businesslike as possible. His massive corner office and unsurpassed view also sent a clear message that he was the one in charge.
“I like this.” Spencer ran his hand up her leg, stroking beneath the hem of her sundress. “As soon as they’re gone, I’m going to bend you over and fuck you on this desk.”
She smirked. “Good thing I didn’t bother to wear underwear then.”
“My wife is such a wanton woman.”
Hearing the words “my wife” pass over his lips sent a thrill through her. She wondered if she would ever get tired of hearing it.
“Well, my husband seems to love it.”
“That he does.”
A knock at the door put an end to their verbal foreplay. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked once again. “It could get rough.”
“Positive,” she replied firmly. “I can handle it.”
He flashed her a look of approval, then called on “Come in.”
Kayla’s mother was the first to enter.
“Baby!” she exclaimed tearfully, arms open as she made a beeline for Kayla. “Let me look at you!”
Kayla had to hand it to her mother – the woman looked and sounded as if she actually cared. Some of her enthusiasm wavered, however, when Kayla remained exactly where she was and made no move to return her mother’s embrace. “Mother. What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” Patricia asked, looking properly shocked. “My little girl gets married, where else am I going to be? I’m sure my invitation was just lost in the mail.”
“It wasn’t,” Kayla said coolly. “If I remember correctly, the last time we spoke, you called me a screw up and accused me of ruining your life, all because I didn’t take the five million dollars Spencer’s father offered to walk away.”
Patricia’s smile faltered. “Yes, well, those were words spoken in the heat of the moment, dear. I didn’t know how much you two obviously love each other, and I feel just awful about that.”
“Do you? Is that why you walked out and haven’t tried to contact me once?”
“Now Kayla, darling, let’s not be petty. We’ve both said things we regret and I’m willing to make amends.”
“What you regret, mother, is blowing your chance at a free and easy ride. Me? I regret nothing.”
Realizing she was getting nowhere, Patricia tried a different tack. She looked to Spencer. “Spencer, I owe you an apology. I doubted your sincerity. I made unfair judgments based on your reputation, but surely you understand. I had only my daughter’s best interests at heart.”
“I do understand, Mrs. Davidson.”
“It’s O’Connell,” she corrected. “Charles and I
are divorced.”
“Ms. O’Connell.” Spencer inclined his head. “As I said, I do understand your... uncertainty. However, you must understand that my first priority is my wife.”
“Oh, yes!” Patricia gushed, clearly thinking she had found an ally. “Absolutely!”
“That is why,” Spencer continued, “I am willing to forgive the ten thousand dollars in charges you managed to accrue in the last twelve hours.”
Patricia looked affronted. “As the mother of the bride-”
“No need to thank me,” Spencer cut her off with a wave of his hand. “It is Kayla’s wish, not mine, and it is not without condition.”
Patricia looked confused. “Condition?”
“A car is waiting for you downstairs, Mother. It will take you to the airport, where you will be provided with first class passage back to the States. Do not attempt to return without an express invitation or you will receive an itemized bill, payable in full upon receipt. Is that clear?”
“What? You can’t be serious!”
“We can, and we are. It is a generous offer. I urge you to take it.”
When Patricia blinked her big, tear filled eyes, Kayla almost reconsidered. Then she felt Spencer’s touch along her calf and strengthened her resolve. Her mother was, and always would be, out only for herself. Who the hell racked up a ten grand tab in one night?
“Goodbye, Mother.”
A security guard escorted a stunned Patricia from the office, giving them a brief respite before they faced the next wave.
“Are you all right?” Spencer asked softly.
“Yeah. That was long overdue,” Kayla replied. Standing up to her mother wasn’t easy, though she knew from a life of personal experience that if she gave even a little, Patricia would just keep taking. “Thanks for having my back.”
“I love you.” Spencer pressed a kiss to her palm. His words and tender gesture definitely helped ease some of the guilt weighing upon her shoulders.
“I love you, too.” She blew out a breath. “Well, that was round one. Are you ready to face round two?”
SPENCER NODDED. WITH Kayla by his side, he was ready to take on anything, including his overbearing father. “Let’s get this over with so we can get back to our honeymoon.”
Her eyes flashed with heat and hope. “But you’re still going to fuck me on this desk, right?”
He grinned. “Oh yeah.”
“Then yeah, let’s do this.”
Tristan Dumas was shown into the office, resembling a walking thundercloud with his stormy expression and dark gray power suit. He didn’t acknowledge Kayla, concentrating the full power of his glower on Spencer.
“I suppose you think you’re clever, confining me to one of your sex rooms with that woman! Have you lost your mind?”
“Hello to you, too, Father. I believe you’ve met my wife, Kayla.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Spencer,” his father seethed. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
Spencer kept his father’s direct gaze but watched Kayla in his peripherals. To her credit, Kayla kept one hip perched upon the desk, her calm expression one of complete self-control. Only Spencer could see the way her hands clenched on the side of her lap. He loved this fierce, protective side of her and the way she bristled in response to his father’s miniature tirade. No one had ever stood up on his behalf before, especially not to his father.
Spencer, however, had been expecting nothing less. The elder Dumas wielded his power and arrogance like a warrior wielded a favorite weapon.
He offered his father a small smile. “You have to be more specific than that, Father. I’ve done quite a few things since I walked away from you and Dumas Industries more than a year ago. How is dear old Phillip, by the way? Are those puppet strings still intact?”
His father stiffened, the carefully chosen words hitting their mark. Spencer’s half-brother, Phillip, had been thrust into the CEO role after Spencer’s resignation. Unfortunately, Phillip had neither the brains nor the ambition necessary to pull off a position like that, even with the old man pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Spencer might have walked away, but that didn’t mean he’d severed all ties. It was his family’s company, and thanks to his grandfather’s foresight, he was still a major stockholder and paid attention to what was happening.
That was how he also knew that in addition to taking over the helm at DI, Phillip had also assumed responsibility for Spencer’s arranged engagement to Chelsea Chamberlain. Apparently, Phillip was no better suited to that than he was CEO. A month before the wedding, two women came forward claiming to be pregnant by Phillip.
The older man’s face turned a shade darker. “You’ve made your point, Spencer. Cease this foolishness and take your rightful place at Dumas. I’ll even relinquish my position on the Board. You will have complete autonomy to run the company as you see fit.”
Two years ago, Spencer wouldn’t have thought twice. He’d been groomed his whole life to take over DI. But two years was a long time, and Spencer wasn’t the same man now that he was then.
“Chelsea has also graciously offered to reconsider your proposal.”
That made Spencer smile. Though presented as a boon, it was nothing more than a thinly veiled, desperate attempt to save her own reputation. Financially and socially speaking, Chelsea Chamberlain was up the proverbial creek without a buff river guide to paddle her along. “She has, huh?”
“Yes. I’ve already taken the liberty of having our lawyers draw up the papers. Of course, this would have been much simpler had you spoken to me yesterday, before you...”
“Got married?” Spencer supplied helpfully.
“Yes, that.” Tristan’s mouth turned down in a scowl.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Dumas,” Kayla said firmly, “but Spencer is already spoken for.”
Spencer’s grin widened. “You heard the woman. I’m already taken.”
Tristan gave Kayla a dark look. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation in private.”
Spencer pretended to consider it for a moment. “Hm. No. As my wife and business partner, Kayla stays.”
“Wife and... Surely you can’t be serious.”
“Oh, but I am. Really, Father, I’m surprised you didn’t know. Your spies must be slipping.”
Spencer’s father shook his head. “I thought you were smarter than that. Allowing a two-bit, gold digging -”
Spencer shot to his feet. “Do not say another word.”
Kayla laid her hand on Spencer’s arm and said quietly, “I got this.” She turned to Spencer’s father. “Mr. Dumas, I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think of me, nor do I care whether or not you approve of our marriage. What I do, care about, however, is that you have come uninvited to our home and think you have some kind of power here. Let us be very clear about that: you don’t.”
“Just who the hell do you think you are?”
“I am Kayla Dumas, co-owner of this resort and your daughter-in-law, Mr. Dumas, whether you like it or not. And, as such, I am giving you a choice. Leave quietly now and retain your dignity or I will have you forcibly removed.”
Two burly security guards entered the room. Tristan looked to Spencer. “You’re going to let her talk to me like that?”
“Absolutely. Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“You are making a grave mistake, Spencer.”
“No, Dad. I think I’m finally doing something right.”
Tristan Dumas stormed out. “See that my father gets on that plane,” Spencer told the guards. Both nodded and closed the door behind them.
Spencer pulled Kayla into his lap and claimed her mouth in a soul-searing kiss.
“What was that for?” she asked breathlessly.
“No one has ever had my back like that. You were magnificent. So fierce.”
She laughed. “Hey, nobody messes with what’s mine.”
“I’m yours, huh?”
“All mine. And don’t you forget it.
”
“Hm, I like the sound of that. And I think that kind of loyalty deserves a reward. Ladies’ choice. What would you like?”
Her eyes flashed. “Well, I believe you said something about a desk...”
Thank You!
Thanks for reading this exclusive special bonus feature! I hope you enjoyed it, and that you will come back to Pine Ridge again soon for the next installment in the Callaghan Family & Friends series!
Until then, happy reading!
Abbie
Spencer & Kayla's Wedding Page 3
