Page 12 of Promised Vows

Why couldn’t I have met him on my own? Under my terms? Why did my brother have to arrange a marriage with him and promise me to him? I simply couldn’t let that go.

I wouldn’t. I was incredibly attracted to Ari because who wouldn’t be, but I couldn’t wed a guy because he was hot. I wanted to marry for love. I wasn’t settling for anything less. Family or no family.

Chapter Five

ARI

Ares held the door and I got out, offering a hand to assist Anna. There was a slight hesitation before her hand slid into mine. A rush of electricity blazed a trail, leaving my nerves tender in its wake. I’d never experienced this raw attraction to someone. By the way her pupils dilated, I knew the attraction was mutual.

She stepped out and smiled. “Thank you for the ride.”

Her height was sexy and perfect in my opinion. Short enough I could tuck her against my body, but not so short I couldn’t easily bend down and taste those luscious pale pink lips. I could picture walking with her by my side, her head resting against my arm as we enjoyed a night on the town.

There were men in my line of work who would force a woman to bend to their will, but that wasn’t my flavor of affection. I wanted her, but I wanted her willing. Her finding me attractive didn’t mean she would ever love me. That was the only hiccup in this whole thing, but I’d signed that emotion away when I volunteered to marry her.

I shut the limo door and draped her arm through mine. She looked at me. “What are you doing?”

“Walking you to your apartment like a gentleman.”

She tried to pull free, and it only made me tighten my hold.

Her eyebrows knitted together, and her lips turned down at the corners. “That’s okay. I’ve got it from here.”

Aside from the fact that my momma taught me better, there were other reasons. “I’m unfamiliar with the people who work in your building and their allegiances. You’re on Lorenzo Moretti’s radar—Marco Moretti’s second. He’s seen me with you. I want to make sure you get to your apartment safely.”

Anna rolled her eyes. She waved her free hand up and down my body. “That scrawny thug knows he wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”

“I agree.” My nickname was Wick, as in the assassin. My reputation preceded me, and I didn’t find myself in many fights anymore. “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have access to an army or that he won’t use it.”

Her posture softened. “Is that why you changed your tone at the end when you were talking to him?”

“Yes, at least two other guys were looking in on the situation. I didn’t want things to get out of hand when I was outnumbered.”

“Two guys?”

Nodding, I replied, “Yes.” I didn’t want to scare her, but she needed to realize I wasn’t trying to push myself on her. There was a legitimate reason for wanting to escort her and make sure she got home safely.

“Oh.”

“Please allow me to walk you to your apartment.”

She huffed.

“What?”

“Nothing. Come on,” she said and grumbled under her breath. I only caught two words: stupid and polite.

When we reached the elevator, I loosened my hold enough that she could pull free. “Thank you.”

“We have the rehearsal dinner tomorrow evening. How about a real date this coming week? Let me know when you’re off work, and I’ll plan something.”

“You going to text me another demand?”

She was right. I’d made it a command when I texted her about the dinner tomorrow evening. I thought we’d settled it earlier, but clearly, we hadn’t. Please seemed to be her magic word, so I tried that route. “Would you please have dinner with me this coming week?”

She gave a long sigh and then looked away. I counted at least ten heartbeats before she answered, “Yes, I’ll have dinner with you. I’ll text you my work schedule on Sunday.”

“Thank you,” I said as the elevator door opened.

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