The Loyal Groom (Groom 1)

“I’m great. My girlfriend is walking her dog by the lake.” He points his thumb over his shoulder, and I don’t miss how his eyes move down Rosy’s body when he thinks I’m distracted.

My wife put on cut-off shorts and a cropped T-shirt for our walk, and now I feel like she’s showing too much skin. Skin that belongs to me.

“So where are you working now, Darian? I heard you graduated but not much since.”

“He’s at the biometrics lab at the Wharf. He’s going to be famous one day,” Rosy preens as she places a hand on my chest.

“Oh yeah?” Colt smiles at us indulgently, and I want to pop him in the mouth. “I’ll be sure to keep an eye out. If you’re downtown you should come by my dad's law firm. They’ve added my picture to the outside of it since I’m a partner now.”

“Good for you.” I manage to say it without sounding bitter.

“Yeah, I even got a yacht as a bonus. We’re taking it out later if you want to come along.” This time when his eyes move down Rosy’s body, it’s with intent.

“What the—”

“No thanks,” Rosy cuts me off as she tugs on my arm. “We’ve got plans.”

“You're still working at that grease pit at the end of the block?” Colt makes a sound and doesn’t wait for her to respond. “Never thought I’d see the day when a graduate from Kingswood Prep would end up slinging French fries.”

“Always good to be reminded of why we were so eager to leave.” Rosy’s voice is even, but my body is shaking with rage. I want to pin him to the ground and knock his teeth out.

“I figured it was because you were knocked up.” When I take a step towards him, Colt throws his hands in front of him. “Hey, whoa, whoa, sorry. I thought I was just messing around with old friends. No harm, Darian.”

“We weren’t friends then, and we certainly aren’t friends now. But I see you still can’t keep your eyes off what your daddy can’t buy you.” Colt’s jaw tightens as he takes a slight step back. I take a breath and straighten before I force a calm smile. “Next time you see us in the park, do yourself a favor and pretend you don’t see us.”

I don’t give him time to respond as Rosy and I walk away from Colt and all that he represents—my failure as a husband to provide, the lack of family ties I would need to get further faster, and the ability to give Rosy all that she deserves.

“Hey.” Rosy tugs on my arm, and I realize she’s having to take steps two at a time to keep up. We’re almost back to the apartment, so I slow down, realizing I’ve gotten us to cover a long distance too quickly for her short legs. “I said hey.”

She tugs once more, and I come to a stop before I face her. My heart is heavy with guilt and shame. If she hadn’t tied herself to me, her family could have given her the life Colt has. They could have opened doors and made a path for her that was taken away when she chose me. When I feel her soft fingers on my face, I lean in to her touch.

“I never wanted that life. Even before you.” She can always read my thoughts so perfectly. “And seeing him?” She shakes her head. “It proves what I see every day.”

“That we’re broke?” I offer, and a smile tugs at her lips.

“That I made the right decision. That my brilliant husband will one day change the world and then everyone else will finally see why I gave it all up.”

“I love you.” I pull her against me, and before she can respond, my lips are on hers.

With her in my arms, I practically run to the apartment. Once we’re inside, I kick the door closed and then push her against it. I can’t get over the memory of Colt’s eyes on my wife, and the only way to make it better is to fuck my ownership into her.

I unbutton her little shorts and roughly push them off of her. With one arm on her hip and the other on her bare ass, I watch her fumble for the front of my shorts.

“Get it out,” I say, licking and biting my way down her neck. “I need you.”

Her fingers wrap around my shaft, and I feel her squeeze it once before she’s sliding it through her wet folds. As soon as the head of my cock nudges her opening, I’m thrusting inside and sheathing myself in her warmth. I grunt when I’m fully seated, and I just stay like that, with my teeth in the tender skin of her shoulder. Like an animal, I let my body claim hers before nature takes over and I’m rutting against her.