Page 16 of Reckless Vow

Not that this is a performance.

What am I going to do? I just got out of a toxic relationship. I can’t spend a year of my life with a man who took so much from me. Who left me behind without looking back.

So much went wrong that night when we were planning to run away.

A lot of it cost me years in therapy. Most of it left me empty and sheltered, building walls I don’t even know how to climb anymore.

I couldn’t protest his ridiculous proposal because, as London pointed out, it’s an easy solution to the stupid conundrum.

They all remember Baldo and I being close growing up. None of them know just how close we had become.

Or how suddenly we weren’t close. Rather as far from each other as possible.

Not that I could have explained any of that to my sisters earlier, thus me refusing the proposal would have only rendered me “difficult,” as they’ve always perceived me.

Perhaps if he wasn’t standing there, I’d have found my brain and come up with a rational explanation.

I want a huge rock?Really?

A new, slower song starts, and I sway to the rhythm, hoping to erase the images of him from my head.

God, did he grow up into a fine man. So fucking sexy, I had to clench my pussy every time I chanced a look at him.

The sultry song isn’t helpful in erasing the thought. I trace my palms up my thighs, around my hips, along my ribcage and back, while my ass rocks. The contact is soothing and caressing, grounding me in my own body.

Maybe there still is a way out. It would take putting on my big girl panties and talking to the man, convincing him it’s not a good idea.

With his business, he can’t be locked in New York.

Fuck. I completely forgot about my spontaneous decision to stay in New York. It was out of desperation, hoping he’d reconsider.

The stubborn bastard shook it off, but I’m sure he’s regretting it now.

Yes, we should just discuss it and announce it was a stupid idea. Then I’ll call my friends and brainstorm some solutions, without my family’s interference.

The beat changes again and, boosted by my solution, I spring and lean back and forth, enjoying the movement.

Fully immersed in my own little world, I let the melodies weave through my soul, stitching up the frayed edges of my day. I spin, fully diving into the fluid movement.

In my whirl of blissful ignorance, my eyes meet his dark irises.

“What the fuck?” I stumble to a halt and rip my earbuds out so violently that one of them flies across the room. “Ever heard of knocking?”

“I knocked. A few times.” Amusement tugs at Baldo’s lips.

How long has he been perched against the door frame? And why does he look so smug? And so fucking hot?

The boy I used to know was attractive, but this man should come with a warning: dangerous to your ovaries and panties.

Can he smell the pheromones? My core clenches. Who knew my pussy could weep.

His arms crossed in front of him, his biceps bulge. So casual and sure of himself. Now I know why it’s been so hard for me to find sexual satisfaction. This man ruined me. Without even truly having me.

Sweat glistens on my skin from what I thought was a private dance session, and I hold my head high as his gaze roams up and down my body hungrily.

Yeah, mister, you missed out.The desire in his expression gives me an unwarranted jolt of vindication.

It’s satisfying to see I’m not the only one affected. It’s also really, really bad. Dangerous. Not that my body cares.

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