Forbidden King: A Small Town, Brother’s Best Friend Romance (Magnolia Falls Series Book 3)

“YOU LOOK GORGEOUS,” I said, as I watched Demi’s hairdresser, Ariel, attach the crown-style veil to the top of her head.

“I can’t get over this dress,” Brinkley said as she snapped a few pictures of Demi on her phone.

“Damn, girl. You are the most beautiful bride.” Peyton swiped at the tear running down her face.

“Thank you. And you all look so amazing.” Demi turned to look at each of us.

“I think it’s so cool that you let us pick our dresses out ourselves,” Tia said. Romeo’s sister was stunning, and she was home from college for summer break.

“I really appreciate it, because if you would have forced me to wear some frilly monstrosity, I would not have enjoyed that.” Ruby walked toward us, wearing a strapless peach sheath dress.

We were each given the freedom to choose our dress, as long as it was floor length and the color peach. I’d chosen a sleeveless satin gown with a high slit, showing off a little leg. Brinkley was wearing an off-the-shoulder tulle gown, while Tia wore a high-necked dress with a full skirt. Liz, Demi’s college roommate, was wearing a peach high-necked princess-style dress. Peyton had, of course, taken it up a notch and was wearing a skintight peach sequined gown. Somehow, we all looked like we meshed well when we stood together and looked in the full-length mirror.

“You girls look stunning,” Demi’s mom said, in a taupe floral gown with a jacket that was giving Jackie O. vibes. “And, Demi, there are no words for how beautiful you are.”

Demi pushed to her feet and hugged her mom before fanning her face to keep the tears back. “No crying. It’s too early, and I’m going to try to keep it together today.”

There was a knock on the door, and Ruby went to open it and see who it was.

“I came to check on my girls,” Cutler said, and we all gasped when he stepped inside. His dark hair was slicked back with gel, he wore a black tuxedo with a peach bowtie, and he had a peach floral pocket scarf tucked into the front of his jacket. My favorite part was the black velvet dress shoes on his feet that had his initials embroidered in gold on the tops. Nash had been complaining for days that Cutler had begged him for these shoes that they’d seen when they’d gone to get his tuxedo fitted.

“You look so handsome,” I said, pushing to my feet and bending down to straighten his bowtie.

“Thank you, Saylor.” He winked. “You look real pretty today. All of you do.”

“You are going to make some woman very happy someday, Beefcake,” Tia said, and everyone chuckled.

“I plan to.” He waggled his brows. “I’m supposed to tell you all that it’s time, and, Demi, your dad is on his way in here right now. You’ll come out last.”

Demi pushed to her feet and smiled down at him. “Okay. Let’s do this. Thanks for taking care of those rings for us.”

“Pops is holding my pillow out there, and I’ve got the real rings right here in my pocket.” He patted his chest.

More laughter. We all got emotional giving Demi hugs as we made our way out the door.

When I stepped out into the gorgeous foyer at Demi’s family home, the first eyes I saw were King’s. Dark and sexy as they scanned down my body from head to toe.

“You look gorgeous.” He pulled me close, his fingers intertwining with mine at my side as he whispered in my ear.

“So, this is how it’s going to be, huh?” Hayes feigned annoyance as I pulled back and chuckled.

“Yeah, this is how it’s going to be.” King kissed the tip of my nose and then turned to look at my brother.

“What do you think of these two, Beefcake?” Hayes asked.

“I think Saylor’s always been Uncle King’s girl, and I think you like it, Uncle Hayes,” Cutler said.

“I think my boy is onto something. I think he likes it, too.” Nash winked at his son.

“Whatever. It’s fine. If they’re happy, I’m happy.” Hayes smirked.

“Okay, take your positions,” Gina, Demi and Romeo’s wedding planner, said as she clapped her hands together.

We lined up with our partners, and Romeo was already standing at the other end of the aisle, where he’d stayed after he’d walked his mom and grandmother to their seats. The ceremony was taking place outside on the ranch, with the water off in the distance. It was a perfect setting for a wedding.

We got into our positions, with Nash and Liz leading the way. Next were Hayes and Tia, then Brinkley and Slade, followed by me and King and River and Ruby. Lincoln and Peyton were the last to make their way down the aisle. There were peach and white flowers draped along the chairs of the aisle, all leading to a giant arch covered in more flowers than I’d ever seen. Janelle had truly outdone herself with the florals.

King leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Someday, you’ll be walking down the aisle toward me.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Forbidden King.” I waggled my brows as he kissed my cheek, and we took our places on opposite sides. Everyone gasped as Cutler escorted the flower girl down the aisle. Little Lacey was only three years old, and she was one of Demi’s cousins’ daughters. She took her time dropping one petal at a time, and Cutler did not look happy about it. He kept looking over his shoulder, and I could see Gina waving her hands for him to hurry up.

Cutler patted Lacey on the back before taking the basket from her and dumping the entire bunch of flower petals on the ground, and then he handed her the basket back. Laughter filled the air around us, and I looked up to see Nash shake his head with a big smile on his face.

Romeo didn’t even seem to notice. His gaze was focused down the aisle, waiting for his bride to make her way toward him. The music started, and everyone turned and pushed to their feet.

Demi made her way down the aisle looking like a real, live princess. Her white satin gown had a fitted bodice with spaghetti straps on the shoulders. A full tulle skirt started at the waist and ran to the floor, swooshing around her legs when she walked. A crown sat on her head, holding the veil, and all the stones sparkled in the sun that was shining down.

She was breathtaking.

Romeo had made his way forward a few steps, and I felt a lump form in my throat when I noticed that his eyes were wet with emotion. He just stared down the aisle, like his whole world was at the other end.

I felt a pull calling to me and looked up to see King watching me, and he had the same look in his eyes.

I smiled because the feeling was mutual.

All my life I’d had terrible examples of what love was. My parents’ marriage was an epic failure, and my stepfather was abusive and had been a terrible husband to my mother.

Our home hadn’t been filled with love or laughter.

My brother had done his best to provide that for me. And in a lot of ways, I had him to thank for finding my happily ever after.

As challenging as he had made things, he’d been the force in my life that had urged me to believe that there was a better life out there than what we’d experienced. He’d been the one to remind me every day that I deserved better.

More.

And I’d found it in this beautiful man who set my world on fire. King made me believe that the men in the pages of my romance books actually existed.

He was both an alpha and a cinnamon roll.

The perfect mix of strong and kind.

My attention turned back down the aisle as Demi and her father stood before Romeo.

Romeo shook her father’s hand and then turned to her and did the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. He rubbed his hands down her arms as he shook his head and then placed a hand on each side of her face. “You take my breath away. Thanks for marrying me today, baby.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in sight. And everyone in town was here to celebrate these two. You could feel the love all around.

Pastor Cliff cleared his throat, and Romeo chuckled as he led Demi to stand in front of him.

They’d each written their own vows, and I cried through the entire ceremony. Ruby had handed me some tissue, and by the end, everyone was reaching for a Kleenex.

“And by the power vested in me, you may now kiss your bride,” Pastor Cliff said.

Romeo didn’t hesitate. He dipped her back and kissed her hard as everyone cheered. When he pulled back, Romeo reached for her hand. She paused and glanced over at us and smiled before kicking up her heel and showing off her white cowboy booties.

They led us back down the aisle, and we spent the next hour taking photos, while the rest of the guests were taken to the large tented area for appetizers and cocktails. We made our way over to the tent and lined up to be called in, as music boomed from inside the reception. I wrapped my hand around King’s arm, and he led me in, laughing as we made our way onto the dance floor. We all made a line, and then Romeo and Demi Knight were announced, and I don’t think my feet ever hit the ground as we jumped and cheered.

My breath caught as I watched Romeo spin her around as she beamed up at him.

And before I knew what was happening, King pulled me into his arms, and we swayed back and forth to the music.

We weren’t hiding anymore, and no one seemed surprised to see us together.

“Is this weird for you?” I asked.

“What? Dancing with you?”

“No. Being with just me. I’m sure all the single ladies here are disappointed that you aren’t out there pulling them onto the dance floor,” I teased.

His large hand wrapped around the side of my neck, and his thumb strummed along my jawline. “There is no one I want, no one I see—aside from you. It’s been this way for a while, Dandelion. Long before we got together. So, no. There is nothing weird about it. For the first time in my life, I feel like I know what I want. What I need. And she’s right here in my arms.”

“I feel the same way,” I whispered.

“But you’ve got to do me a big favor,” he said, his voice lighter now.

“Of course. Name it.”

“You’re rubbing up against me in that sexy-as-hell dress of yours, and my dick is not handling it well.”

My head fell back in laughter. “Is that so?”

“It really is,” he said against my ear.

“Come on. Let’s go to our table and get a drink. They’re serving dinner soon.”

We made our way to the table, and everyone was there, with drinks in hand. River handed me and King each a beer, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“I’m glad everything worked out, Say,” he said.

“Thank you. Me, too.”

He moved his chair closer, as King was talking to Ruby and Peyton now. He kept his voice low so only I could hear him. “He’s different with you, you know?”

“Really? How so?”

“I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s just this contentment that I see in him now. He’s happy. Really, really happy. I noticed it before this all came out, and I suspected something was going on. I wanted to warn him to back off, but I liked seeing this side of King. He’s not just having a good time, going through the motions—he’s living. He’s in it. And I fucking love it.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, and I nodded. “I think we both found that with each other. Being with King feels like I’m finally home.”

His eyes were wet with emotion, and he nodded. “I get that. More than you even know. And it’s the best feeling.”

“It is. And I know you and Ruby are planning to sneak off to Vegas and tie the knot, but you better have a party so that we can celebrate you guys, too.”

He barked out a laugh. “We’re talking about it. I think she’d like to have a party, but keep it casual.”

“I’m happy for you guys.”

“This looks intense,” Kingston said, as he pulled his chair closer. “What are we talking about?”

“I was just telling him that if he and Ruby run off to Vegas and get married, they need to have a party so we can celebrate them after.”

“Hell yeah, they do. You can have it at our place. You know I’ve got a great yard for it.”

“Our place?” River and I said at the same time.

“Oh. Did I put the cart before the horse?” Kingston chuckled. “Ruby’s lease is up, and clearly, she’s going to move in with River, seeing as they’re getting hitched and all. And I just thought it would be perfect timing for you to move in with me, Dandelion. We’re together every night anyway.”

“What am I missing over here?” Hayes asked, as he leaned in.

“I’m just watching King mess up the biggest moment of his life. He’s asking Saylor to move in with him, but he actually forgot to ask her first.” River chuckled.

My heart was racing because I loved that he wanted to live together. But I tried to remain calm now that we had an audience.

“You underestimate me, brother. I asked; she just didn’t see it yet.” He winked at me before his gaze moved to the plate in front of me.

There on the plate was a fluffball dandelion with a key tied to the end of it.

“For fuck’s sake,” Hayes said over his laughter. “Look at this romantic fucker. A key tied to a flower. Shit. He’s so whipped he can’t see straight.”

“What’s going on over here?” Ruby asked, coming over beside me and bending down.

“King just asked her to move in with him,” River said, pulling her onto his lap.

“Oh, that’s some romance book-worthy stuff right there. The key and the flower. Impressive.”

“So, what do you say?” he asked, turning his attention to me.

“You had me at dandelion.” I smiled up at him, and he tugged me into his arms.

I didn’t know how we got here, but I wasn’t questioning it.

Because all my wishes had already come true.