Page 57 of The King of Hearts (The Raven Group #1)

I’m pulled further into his body, and I feel the hard wedge of his cock press against my lower stomach.

An ache blooms between my legs, and my first instinct is to rub against it.

I don’t even think about the fact we’re in front of a small crowd of people, some of whom are my family.

My only thought process is that I want more.

More of his taste in my mouth and more of his body pressed against mine, preferably with our clothes off.

Ryker lifts his head but keeps his face close to mine. “Keep rubbing on me like that, and I’ll fuck you right here in front of your family and friends,” he whispers.

It’s then that I remember where we are. Embarrassment coats my cheeks, and I silently beg God to open a hole so I can fall through it.

My mortification is still in full force when Ryker turns us to face everyone.

A few people clap, but my family doesn’t.

Dad and my brothers look pissed, while Mom looks on the verge of tears.

Tomas doesn’t look much happier than Dad and my brothers, but Emersyn has a knowing smirk curving her lips.

She winks at me, and it makes my cheeks grow a deeper shade of red.

Later that evening, I’m on the edge of the dance floor in the estate’s ballroom, sipping on a glass of apple juice. What I would prefer to have is a glass of champagne like everyone else is drinking, but that’s out for me. Alcohol and baby don’t mix.

It’s been a long, exhausting day, and I’m ready to shed it and go to bed. I’m surprised that Ryker allowed everyone into his home for this celebration. He’s private to the point of ridiculousness, so to have people in his private space wasn’t something I expected.

I wanted to change out of my wedding gown earlier, but Ryker insisted I keep it on. I was too tired to protest, so here I am. I love the dress and it’s light and easy to move in, but it’s too much material to wear for long periods of time.

Tomas and Emersyn just left me to go take a whirl on the dance floor, and that’s who I’m looking at now. To an outsider, they’d assume the pair was a couple because they move so naturally and fluidly with each other.

I’m distracted from watching them when someone comes up to my side. I look over and see Father Vaughn. He’s not looking at me, but at Emersyn and Tomas.

“They’d make a great pair,” he remarks, then takes a sip of his champagne.

I don’t say anything for a moment because I’m not really sure how to respond. And also, I still don’t feel entirely comfortable in this man’s presence. Especially alone like we are. There are people around, but they’re far enough away that it still feels private.

“I was just thinking they do look like a couple,” I finally say, looking back at Em and Tomas. “The way they move is in sync with each other.”

When he doesn’t respond, I sneak a glance at him. He’s still watching my two friends, but the muscle in his jaw appears tense, like he’s grinding his molars.

Just to fill the silence, I add, “Of course, that’ll never happen, as much as Emersyn wishes it so.”

Father Vaughn spares me a side glance. “That so?”

“Yes.” I look away. “Tomas prefers—” I search for an appropriate phrase to use in front of a priest, “—men.”

I keep to myself that Tomas would very much prefer the man beside me.

Again, Father Vaughn stays quiet and goes back to watching Em and Tomas. It stays that way for several moments. Then I feel his eyes on the side of my face.

“Would you care to dance?”

I’m staggered by his unexpected question. I wouldn’t have pegged Father Vaughn as a dancer. I’m actually surprised he’s even here. He usually doesn’t show up to these types of gatherings. Typically, the only time I see him is in church or on occasion at the grocery store.

My eyes dart around the room, searching for a pair of gray ones. The last time I danced with a man, he ended up getting the shit beat out of him. Father Vaughn makes me feel uncomfortable, but I’d never want him to get hurt, especially because of me.

When my eyes meet Ryker’s, he’s already looking at me.

His gaze moves to the man next to me, and they darken.

I don’t have to be in close range to know the muscle in his jaw is twitching and the little pulse in his temple is thump thumping.

I wouldn’t put it past my new husband to slaughter a man of God and steal his heart.

Just the thought of it has me taking a step away from the priest. I turn to him and offer an apologetic smile. “My feet are killing me in these shoes. I’m barely surviving just standing here. I’m afraid dancing may do me in.”

He inclines his head. “Perhaps next time.”

I give a noncommittal nod, and thankfully, he leaves after that.

Left alone, I finish my apple juice and set the glass down on a nearby table.

I’ve never particularly liked apple juice before, but whatever brand this one is, it tastes yummy, so I go in search for some more.

On my way, I stop and chat for a moment with Mom, Dad, and my brothers.

Ashton James, the newest member of The Raven Group, is with them.

He reminds me of Ryker in the way he doesn’t say much and seemingly prefers to stay in the background.

The few words I heard him speak, his voice is deep and holds a gravelly edge.

Almost like his normal tone is a light growl.

I’m just about to pass through the doorway when something catches my eye.

Or rather, some one . When I recognize the person and see the black cast around his arm, my heart lurches.

Before my brain can discern this may not be a good idea, I approach Braxton.

He’s with a man I’ve never seen before, but as I come up to them, the unknown man walks away.

I stop beside him, making sure to keep several feet of space between us.

He looks over and gives me a lopsided smile.

“How are you?” I ask, looking over his face that still has some bruising. I don’t want to think about how bad he looked when the damage was fresh.

The last time I saw him was the night of the Sheppard Ball, but I’ve gotten updates about his condition from Bishop.

“Just peachy,” he replies. His words aren’t satirical, but I still wince.

“I’m so sorry for what happened to you.”

“What are you apologizing for?” he asks. “It wasn’t you who rearranged my face.”

It wasn’t, but it was because of me. I don’t know if he knows it was Ryker, and I’m not sure I should say anything.

“The man who attacked me was wearing a mask,” he comments.

“It was matte black and had deep slashes across it.” He pauses and looks over at me.

My heart thumps in my chest as I wait for him to continue.

“I had no fucking clue what was going on or why it was happening. He never said a word as he beat my face in. It wasn’t until after he carved an X into my chest over my heart that he spoke for the first time and gave me his motive. ”

I stay quiet, my hands shaking as I clutch them in the material of my dress. He looks away from me to across the room. I follow his line of sight, and my eyes clash with Ryker’s. Instinctively, I move a step back from Braxton.

I’m still looking at Ryker when he continues.

“His exact words were ‘Let this be a lesson. Touch my fiancée again, and the next time, I’m coming for this.’ He was referring to my heart, in case you didn’t catch that.

I didn’t recognize his voice then, and I had no clue what ‘fiancée’ he was referring to.

I didn’t know anyone who was getting married.

” I drag my eyes away from Ryker when Braxton pauses.

“But then I was told of your upcoming nuptials.”

Tears gather in my eyes, and I blink and pray them away. “I’m so sorry, Brax,” I whisper.

He looks like he wants to come toward me, but he holds himself in place. I want to go to him too, but like him, I don’t.

“I don’t blame you, Savina. It was that crazy motherfucker who did it.

And the thing is, I can’t entirely fault him for it.

You’re the type of woman men go batshit crazy over.

” My brows slant down, not particularly liking the sound of that.

He laughs at my expression. “I mean that in the best way possible. You’re perfect in all the ways a woman could be perfect, and a man would be insane to not do anything within his power to have you. ”

I’m taken aback by his words. It almost sounds like he’s admitting he has feelings for me, but that would be crazy.

He must see the confusion on my face because his lips tip up at the corners. “There’s no hidden meaning behind my words. I haven’t been secretly pining after you. That would be like admitting that I’m in love with my sister and that’s fucking gross. I’m just stating facts.”

Instant relief loosens the band around my chest, and my shoulders sag a little. Again, the urge to go to him, to hug him, hits me, but I refrain.

The playfulness in his expression goes to the wayside, and his lips press flat, the look in his eyes turning serious.

“Bishop told me what happened and your decision to give in to his threats. I’m sure I’m in the line of many, but if Ryker so much as touches a hair on your head without your permission, I’ll make what he did to me look like child’s play. You only have to say the word.”

I’m grateful for his protectiveness, but it isn’t needed. No matter what happens between Ryker and me, no one will know about it. I won’t take the chance of him exposing our secrets. Or having whoever he’s told expose them.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

I watch as he walks away, a slight limp in his steps. My brain feels more fried than it was before. I can’t wait for this night to be over with.

His oceanic scent hits my senses first, and I swivel around just as Ryker comes up to me. He has a blank look on his face, and fear momentarily stops my heart from beating.

“You like tempting the fates of other people’s lives, don’t you, Vicious?” he remarks. His arm wraps around my waist, and I’m roughly tugged against his chest. “As innocent as you want people to believe you are, you’re anything but.”

I glare up at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he dips his head and swipes his tongue across my mouth, “that you like to claim you don’t want to see Braxton hurt, but you seem to like to put him in the line of fire. Not to mention, Nathaniel Vaughn.”

My back goes stiff, and I pull my face away from his. “I was apologizing to Braxton for what you did to him.”

Lines appear beside his eyes as they narrow. “Don’t ever apologize on my behalf. Especially if my actions have anything to do with you. Braxton is lucky I didn’t finish the job. Next time, he won’t have such luck.”

“He didn’t touch me,” I inform him of something he already knows because he was watching us the whole time.

“Which is the only reason he’ll remain alive. For now, at least.”

“And leave Father Vaughn alone. He’s a freaking priest for goodness’ sake. He has no romantic feelings toward me.”

“Romantic feelings?” One side of his mouth curves up, almost like he wants to laugh at my statement.

“He may not have any of those feelings, but any man who has a functioning dick has at least had a brief moment of wonder of what you’d feel like wrapped around their cock.

Being a priest does not exclude him from that. Or my wrath.”

I scoff. “That’s ridiculous.”

“That’s the truth.”

“Okay. Let’s say that’s true. Are you going to kill every man I come in contact with?”

“Now that’s ridiculous. So long as they stay in their lane, meaning,” he lowers his face again, “they don’t touch what’s fucking mine, they’re safe from me.”

“So,” I arch a brow, “Father Vaughn and Braxton are safe then, correct?”

“For the time being.”

It’s the best I’m going to get right now, so I accept his answer with a tight nod.

“It’s time to say goodbye,” he states, letting my waist go, but grabbing my hand.

I don’t protest because, honestly, I’m not sure how much more I have in me before I collapse. I wasn’t lying when I told Father Vaughn my feet were killing me. I feel like I’m walking on pins and needles. I hate wearing heels and only do so on rare occasions.

Ryker makes sure my goodbyes are quick. It’s almost comical how well Dad and my brothers completely ignore Ryker like he’s not even there beside me. Mom isn’t as rude, but her words and the expression on her face aren’t overly friendly either.

I’m not surprised when Tomas clenches Ryker’s hand in a tight grip and delivers a detailed threat on what he’ll do to him should Ryker hurt me. What I am surprised about is the look of approval on Ryker’s face at the warning.

Emersyn, in typical fashion, regards Ryker in an appreciative manner, her lips curving into a flirtatious smile.

“You kids don’t have too much fun tonight,” she delivers, adding in a wink for emphasis.

“Are we just going to leave everyone down there?” I ask as we leave the ballroom.

“Mrs. Myers will take care of them.”

Instead of leading me to the stairs, he guides me with a hand on my back toward the front door.

“Where are we going? I thought we were retiring for the night?”

“Anxious to have me alone?” he asks, his mouth doing that tilt up on one side thing again. “You want my cock filling that tight pussy, baby, all you have to do is ask.”

I roll my eyes away from him before rolling them back. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. My feet are about to rot off in these heels.”

The words have barely left my lips before I’m scooped up into a pair of strong arms, bridal style. Automatically, my arms go around his neck.

“Put me down,” I say sternly, but on the inside, my stomach turns to putty. There’s just something so unbelievably hot about a man carrying a woman like this. Cradling her to his chest like she’s the most precious and fragile gift.

“I’m saving your feet. How am I supposed to fuck you in the shower later if you have stumps for feet because they rotted off?”

I look at him suspiciously. “Did you just make a joke?”

He looks down at me, and this time there’s more curvature to his lips. “It’s been known to happen on occasion.”

“Well, don’t do it anymore,” I grumble.

“Why not?”

Had my arms not been wrapped around his neck, I would have crossed them over my chest. “Because being funny is a precursor to me liking you, and I refuse to feel anything other than hate toward you.”

His chuckle is deep, and it does stupid things to my body.

“Oh, ‘like’ isn’t what you’re going to feel for me, Vicious. You’re going to fall madly and insanely in love with me.”