Page 23 of Reckless Vow

His response reaches the fantasy playing in my distracted mind, but I miss the meaning. What was his answer? No way I’m asking again.

He watches the traffic, his head turned slightly. So composed. So well put together. So arrogant.

And then I notice his index finger fluttering, tapping against his thigh. That slight fidgeting makes my lips curl up. It makes him more human.

Or it makes me feel more human. It brings the distracted me peace to realize there is a bit of chaos in him as well.

“So we’re missing the ceremony because of a dress?”

“We’re not missing anything.”

I check my watch. “Our appointment was five minutes ago.”

“I rescheduled it.”

“Why?”

“Jesus, Brook, keep up. To get you a dress. We have two hours to get back.” The exasperation in his voice feels like a slap.

“I’m sorry I’m not a mind reader. You manhandled me into your car. Maybe next time explain yourself first.” I fold my arms and turn to watch the traffic.

We continue in silence until the car stops on a swanky street with designer boutiques.

Baldo gets out of the car and comes round behind it to open my door. I ignore the hand he offers and push myself out.

Now he’s a gentleman? Screw him.

“This way.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and an unwarranted, involuntary shudder rakes through me.

If I continue having these shivering reactions to his every touch, I might go mad by the time this marriage is over. And it hasn’t even started.

He steers me toward a luxurious store. There are no clothes displayed in the windows. In fact, there are no windows at all.

The front is all glossy black with golden accents. It’s over the top and yet tasteful.

“It looks closed.”

“They are waiting for us.”

“What? We didn’t know we were coming half an hour ago.” I snort.

“It only took me five minutes to have it organized.”

My heartbeat spikes again. I might need to see a cardiologist after this. As we approach the entrance, the door opens and a tall woman greets us.

Before I move, I look at Baldo. “This wasn’t necessary.”

He leans in, his breath like a touch of silk on my skin, his scent an aphrodisiac. “Anything for my bride.”

Chapter8

Baldo

Why was she crying? The thought has been driving me crazy since I arrived at the courthouse.

It has been in the back of my mind as I bribed the clerk to move our appointment and called my concierge services to arrange a branch of my favorite appointment-only store booked for us.

It has been gnawing at me while I sparred with her—because why would she make anything easy?

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