Chapter 29
Help
Once the cheers and shouts died down, Kellan and I pulled apart from each other. Looking overjoyed but tired, Kellan mumbled, “Can we lie down now?”
Seeing the discomfort on his face, the tightness in his jaw, I nodded and started leading him back to his bed. He started to follow me, then paused as something outside the window caught his attention. Hoping he wasn’t too faint, since falling to the ground would not be good for his stitches, I glanced out the window too. The candle cups outside were frantically being waved back and forth as the fans celebrated our union. I could even hear faint cheering as our room quieted.
Smiling, Kellan changed his direction and stepped up to the window. Wanting to support him, I went with him. The faint cheers grew to loud screams when the people got their first unobstructed view of Kellan. He had tears in his eyes as he waved back at them.
“See how loved you are?” I whispered.
He turned his attention solely to me, and his gleaming eyes sparkled with unashamed adoration as they shifted over my features. “Yes, I do.” In full view of his loyal followers, Kellan leaned over and gave me a tender, but passionate kiss. It was one that made my heart beat faster. One that reminded me of tangled limbs and glorious releases. One that made my breath quicken. One that made me curse the fact that I had to wait six weeks to officially consummate my marriage.
It was going to be the longest six weeks of my life.
When Kellan pulled back from our kiss, his eyes were simmering with desire, and I knew, without a doubt, that we would never make it the full six weeks. We’d just have to be very, very careful. Good thing Kellan was an expert at keeping things slow and steady.
Then he flinched, and I remembered his current situation. Putting steamy thoughts aside, I returned him to his bed. He exhaled in relief when he was back to his prone position. I crawled into bed beside him as people huddled around to congratulate us. I’m sure it was the oddest wedding any of them had ever been to. I also thought it was probably the most romantic. But then again, I was a bit biased.
My mom was sobbing as she filmed herself hugging me. Then she reached over me, nearly squishing me, to hug Kellan. My dad gave Kellan a firm handshake. I’d never seen my dad look so proud, and I knew that he’d finally let Kellan into his heart. He was family now, and my dad would protect him just as passionately as he protected his girls. I’d never cried while smiling so much in all my life.
Anna was next, engulfing me in a jiggling hug that rattled my brain. She dashed around the bed to give Kellan an equally loving, but far more gentle, hug. Griffin was behind Anna, and when he stepped up to me, he checked his breath in his hand; that made me nervous. I raised a finger at him in warning. Griffin smirked. “Relax, it’s not for you.” Laughing, he lunged over me and planted a wet one on Kellan instead.
Kellan couldn’t do much to get him away, since every movement he made hurt him. The entire room burst into laughter as Kellan finally shoved his bassist back. “Fuck, man,” he scowled at Griffin as he wiped his mouth.
Griffin chuckled as he smacked Kellan’s thigh. “Congrats, dude.” Pointing at Kellan, he laughed and said, “Hey, you took my advice. You’re getting better at the tongue thing.”
My parents looked horrified and mystified by the conversation. I was laughing so hard my stomach was starting to cramp. Shaking his head, Kellan smiled at me as he flipped Griffin off. Surprising myself, I motioned for Griffin to hug me. He seemed surprised by that too. When he wrapped his arms around me, I whispered in his ear, “You be good to my sister. I sort of love you two together.”
Pulling back, Griffin gave me a devious smile. “You love me.”
My smile faded some. “I didn’t say that.”
Nodding, Griffin released me. In singsong, he said, “But that’s what you meant. You totally love me!” Standing, he put his hands up in the air so everyone would look at him. “Kiera totally wants me!”
Matt shoved him back as he took his place. As I gaped at Griffin, Matt muttered, “I think he was dropped a lot as a child.” Matt gave me a modest hug while I agreed with his assessment. He gave me a light kiss on the cheek as he pulled away from me. “I’m glad you and Kell made it. I really have never seen him happier than when he is with you.” He frowned. “Plus, he gets really grumpy when you guys are apart.”
I smiled over at my husband. Three nurses were wishing him well on his marriage. By the seductive smiles they were flashing him, I highly doubted they meant it.