Page 183 of By His Vow

My heart rate increases as I think about the possible fallout from this.

Kingston is going to be pissed. That’s a sure fucking bet.

But could that be a good thing?

Desire sits heavy between my thighs.

No. No. It’s a really bad thing.

Keep your head in the game, Tatum. Do not give in to the tequila and a hot man.

“Fine. Cory, I’ll call you, okay?”

Leaning over, I kiss his cheek, but before I get a chance to say anything else, I’m none-too-gently dragged away from him.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, do you, Miss Warner?” the other man growls.

“I can do what I want. No one owns me. And my name is Tate,” I spit before marching toward the restaurant’s entrance.

I want to say that it’s smooth, that my legs work as they should and that I look like a put-together, sophisticated, intelligent woman.

But then I go over on my ankle and bump into the table beside me, knocking over a water jug. Thankfully, the table is empty and waiting to be cleared, but there are enough diners in here to witness my drunken antics. And not only that, but when I glance up at the windows, I find cameras pointed in my direction.

Fuck my fucking life.

“We’re going this way,” a deep voice demands before I’m turned around and directed toward the back of the restaurant.

There’s a car idling outside the back door and Lewis sits behind the wheel, ready to whisk me away.

I let out a sigh as one of the men opens the door for me and then joins me in the back once I’m safe, while the other sits up in front with Lewis.

“Good evening, Tatum,” Lewis says, his eyes finding me in the mirror.

“Don’t give me that look, Lewis,” I mutter.

“Home?” he asks, although I don’t know why he bothers. We all know that I’m going to be going wherever Kingston wants me to go.

That’s my life now. I’m the little lady who has to do as she’s told.

A bitter laugh spills from my lips.

Did he really think that I’d fall into line that easily?

He knows me better than that, surely. Or did he think that a handful of orgasms delivered by his skillful body would soften me? Make me more pliable to his wishes?

“Do I actually get a choice?” I ask irritably.

Lewis wants to say something. I see his jaw move as if he’s going to, but then he changes his mind.

Probably for the best.

I don’t want to go to Kingston’s penthouse. I want to go home. I want to put on my pajamas and curl up with Griz.

The thought of my fluffy terror makes a smile tug at the corners of my lips.

I sit forward, swaying slightly as I do.

“Lewis,” I ask sweetly.