The Wrong Brother's Dirty Little Desires

KYRA’S POV “With the power bestowed on me by the government authorities, I announce you, husband and wife.” The voice of the marriage officer rang across the city hall and my eyes snapped open almost immediately. A few minutes before now, nothing felt real. I was numb all through the marriage process, but when the officer announced us ‘husband and wife’, it immediately dawned on me that I was now married. Married to not just anyone, but to the infamous Maddox Colson. The older brother of my childhood crush. Scratch that, my ex-childhood crush. The man who laughed when I confessed my feelings to him in 11th grade. “Uhm…you may now kiss your wife.” The officer’s voice snapped me right out of my thoughts and the air left my lungs. What? My heart began to pound against my ribs so hard I was sure Maddox could hear it. A kiss? We never discussed a kiss. This was a contract. A business deal. A charade. I whipped my head towards Maddox, my brows knitting together. “What is he saying?” He finally looked at me. Really looked at me. His gaze dropped to my lips for half a second, then back to my eyes. “We will skip that part.” “Oh….okay.” The officer cleared his throat, pushing his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “Here’s your marriage certificate, you both need to sign.” I stretched my hand to receive the piece of paper that could determine the rest of my future. “Sign here.” The officer pointed at a blank area in the paper that needed my signature. I took in a deep breath, trying so hard not to freak out. Was I really doing the right thing? Was getting married the best revenge served flipping hot or ice cold? “I don’t have all the time in the world, Kyra.” A low grumble from Maddox had my grip tightening around the pen. “It’s your turn, Mr. Colson.” Maddox grabbed the paper from me and without so much as thinking, he signed on the marriage certificate. We were officially married. It was supposed to sound real, but it sounded more foreign than I thought. Mrs. Kyra Colson? The last name sounded cool, but it wasn’t the way I wanted it. I had always wanted the name from Winston, the youngest of the Colson brothers, but guess who ended up getting married to the older brother? Me. “Here’s your ring.” Maddox’s voice had me whipping my head in his direction. In front of me was a black box holding a diamond three-carat ring. My stomach twisted so much it hurt. This had to be the realest moment of my life. “Why are you giving me a three-carat? Isn’t this too much for this charade of a marriage?” I asked, my brows raised. Our marriage was nothing but a charade, but why was Maddox doing a little bit extra? “A three-carat is too much for a ring?” A deep chuckle rumbled out of his throat. “You might not be aware, but the Colsons are not a type of family you can easily deceive. You have to convince them.” Without a word, I took the ring from him and slipped it into my finger. “Are you satisfied?” I rolled my eyes at him. I hated everything about Maddox Colson. Everything he does is infuriating, but somehow, I ended up married to him. “You’ve not done something satisfying yet.” He glanced my way, his eyes darkening for a millisecond. “What’s the next step on the plan?” I asked, staring into nothingness. “Now, we are married. I can’t wait to see the look on Winston and Octavia’s face.” A sudden surge of thrill washed over me. I wanted them to have the exact same surprise expression I had on when I found out they were getting married. My childhood crush and my supposed older sister, who knew how much I was in love with Winston while growing up. The ultimate betrayal. “We have a family dinner tonight. It’s the right time to introduce you to the family.” Maddox responded, typing away on his phone. My head instantly snapped in his direction. “Why didn’t you inform me earlier? I don’t have a fitted dinner dress and I’m looking like my problem!” It took every ounce of willpower not to yell at this infuriating man beside me. “Don’t worry, I've got it all sorted out.” He stopped typing and glanced my way. “Get in the car, let's change your appearance. No wife of mine would look like her problem.” He mocked. “I can’t believe I’m doing this with you.” I scoffed, glaring at him. “I also can’t believe I’m married to my younger brother’s long time admirer.” Maddox replied almost immediately, as if he had his response stored. One hour was all it took to change my appearance. I was no longer looking like my problem and neither was I looking like a college girl who kept stalking her crush’s page. I looked like a woman out for revenge. A woman ready to clap back. “It’s time, wifey.” Maddox said, the second I stepped out of the changing room. “That name feels weird.” My face morphed into a frown. I hated the sound of that. It sounded more foreign than any word I have ever heard. “To make this charade work, you have to put your hates and dislikes behind.” “My hates and dislikes? Does that mean I can put you behind?” I smirked, smoothing my hands over the seamless blue dress clinging against the swell of my hips. “You hate me?” Maddox let out a low gasp, pretending to be surprised by my confession. “That’s a pleasure, wifey.” With a hand placed on his chest, he gave me a low bow, one that reeked of mockery. “Can we go already?” I rolled my eyes and walked past him, my heels hitting the tiled floor. As we drove past buildings and streetlights, my heart hammered against my ribcage. This was it. The time to crawl out of my shell and into the spotlight. Time to show Winston Colson exactly what he lost. And time to show my dear sister that I’m the pushover she thinks I am. Maddox pulled up in front of a penthouse, one that could be mistaken for a castle or probably a presidential residence. “Are you nervous?” Maddox asked, walking towards me. I smirked. “You wish.” I couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces. The second we stepped into the dining room, all eyes fell on us. The dropping of cutlery was so satisfying and the gasps that rented the room? It was magical. “Kyra,” Winston called, his voice trailing and his brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?” Before I could open my mouth to speak, Maddox beat me to it. He stepped forward, his huge hand snaking around my waist. Possessive. Warm. It felt so natural, like we’d been doing this for years. Like I actually belonged to him. “Everyone, this is Kyra Hills, my wife.” “What?” Octavia choked on the chunk of food in her mouth as her eyes went wide like the size of a saucepan. Cheers to one big f*****g, messy family.