Page 71 of Worth the Vow

“Go away,” she says, her voice muffled.

“No.”

“Come on, Dominic, just let me cry without an audience. I’ve embarrassed myself enough in front of your family this weekend.”

I follow the sound of her voice, finding her hidden behind two suitcases I’ve been meaning to move into the basement for quite some time. Crouching, I reach out, grabbing her chin, and bringing her face up so I can see her. A small amount of light from the open door allows me to see her tear stained cheeks, and I gently wipe them away.

“There hasn’t been one moment you’ve embarrassed yourself this weekend, raggio di sole.”

She huffs, blowing out a breath that feels like a warm bath along my arm. “You’re full of shit. And stop saying whatever that is.”

“No and no.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not full of shit, and I won’t stop saying what I’m saying.” I hear a little growl of annoyance, and I fight to hide my smile. My Kate is coming back, little by little.

“Why are you like this?” she says exasperatedly.

“Are you asking why I annoy you?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Because it’s fun,” I tell her cheerfully, and almost shout victoriously when she can’t contain her laugh.

“It’s fun to annoy me?”

“Obviously. As if you don’t enjoy annoying me,” I point out.

“I don’t set out with a goal in mind of annoying you.”

“Really?” I ask as I scoot closer to her and sit down, spreading my legs on her sides so she’s caged between my knees.

“Yes.”

“Care to make a wager on that?” I ask.

Her eyes narrow. “Is that how we’re going to play this? Okay. I’m game. If I win, you have to …”

I wait as she looks above my head, deep in thought. I see the moment she decides on her bet when a devilish grin spreads across her face.

“You ready for this?” Kate asks.

“Yep.”

“If I win, you have to get the kids up every day this week, and then serve me breakfast in bed.”

“Cool. A theme.”

“What?”

“We’re on theme with each other.” I wait to see when she takes the bait.

“How so?” she finally asks.

I lean forward, so my face is only an inch from hers, and say, “When I win, I get to do whatever I want … in bed … to you.”

Kate’s eyes widen as her breath hitches. “I’m failing to see a theme here, Dominic.”

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