Page 33 of Solemn Vow

“That will be seven fifty-five,” the young woman behind the register smiles.

“Keep the change.” I reach over Marlena’s shoulder with the money already in my hand.

Marlena turns her surprised face up at me.

Her gentle expression is short lived.

“What are you doing here?” she demands. I give her credit for trying to keep her voice down. But the cashier’s expression goes from customer service friendly to female concern in a blink.

“Is everything all right?” she asks Marlena, ignoring my money.

“Everything is fine.” I take a step forward when Marlena slides to the side and I offer the payment again.

“Yes. Everything’s fine.” She forces a smile at the cashier who finally takes the bill.

“Your drink will be ready at the counter,” the young woman tells Marlena, but keeps her eyes trained on me. I think she’s memorizing my features just in case she needs to give a detailed report later.

Marlena shoves past me and stomps over to where the drinks are delivered, shoving her hands into the pockets of her coat. The hood has slipped down, revealing her hair.

She’s curled it this morning, making it even shorter than normal. Her cheeks are slightly pink from the winter chill outside. At least she’s wearing a warm coat. The hunter green tights she’s wearing can’t be offering much warmth, though.

“You said you wouldn’t be here until six-thirty,” she mutters under her breath when I come to stand beside her. As though it’s my fault she was caught in her little mischievous behavior.

“You said you’d be waiting,” I point out. “You also said you understood what would happen if you weren’t.” I lean toward her with the reminder.

Her little gasp is music to my cock. I need to get her alone. And soon.

“You’re impossible. Absolutely impossible.” She shakes her head.

“It’s true. My mother used to complain about my stubbornness. She said I got it from my father.” I look down at her. “She was right. We Petrovs are a stubborn family.”

“Marlena!” The barista slides a large cup of coffee across the counter.

I grab hold of her arm and put a finger out, a silent order to wait there, and I move forward through the other customers waiting for their morning coffees to grab it. After I have it, I gesture for her to follow me to the door.

She’s quick to catch up as I step out onto the sidewalk.

“Viktor, the bus will be here in a minute. Give me the coffee.” She tugs on the back of my leather jacket.

“I said I would drive you. Why would you want to take the public bus instead of driving in my warm, comfortable car?” I turn to ask her. “Do you truly find me so repellent?” Let’s see if she can lie straight to my face.

Her lips pinch together, and for a second, I think she’s going to do it. She’s going to try to insult me.

“No.” A cloud of air bursts in front of her as she sighs her answer. “Look. It’s nice of you to offer, really it is, but I do things on my own all the time and have for a long time. I don’t need you to ride in on some magical white horse to save me.” She looks away. “I’m good on my own.”

“A ride to work isn’t saving you.” I offer the cup. “But I think I understand.”

“Yes.” She takes the cup, and a small smile touches her lips.

“All right.” I zip up my jacket and walk past her to the covered waiting area. “Are you coming?”

Her mouth drops open.

“What are you doing?” She hurries beneath the shelter with me, scooting over to allow another woman inside with us.

“If you don’t want me to drive, I’ll take the bus with you.” I slide my hands into my pockets and lean over to look down the street. The bus is only a block down.

“Why? I just said I can do this on my own.”

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