Page 30 of Tangled in Vows

“Deadserious.” I push my hand into her hair and put my mouth to her ear. “Just as dead as every man will be who dares to touch what’s mine.”

Chapter 10

Olivia

Without even trying, you stole my heart.

This is a horrible idea.

As in colossally bad.

Possibly one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had.

The worst one was, without a doubt, thinking I could believe a word fromhismouth. Felix. My ex-fiancé. The boy my aunt’s community picked for me to marry. A shiver runs through me just thinking about him.

Could he have sent me those flowers? I haven’t seen him since I left my old life behind all those years ago and came to the city. Where I met Holden. Where I became Olivia Parker.

“Are you ready for this?” Holden looks at me, clearly waiting for an answer.

I swallow and stare past him out the car window. There’s already a group of photographers waiting to make some money. Fortunately for them, and unfortunately for me, they will make a lot of it with our pictures.

Even more now since the news hit that I’m married.

Still.

Again?

I have ahusband.

Six years ago, it was a weird concept to be married. But at least I was in charge. It was on my terms. I was the one who initiated it, and I had a good reason for it.

But now, things are drastically different. I’m a lot older, in the public eye, and Holden and me . . . Well, nothing is how it used to be. The circumstances have changed. The rules have changed, and I’m unsure how to play this game.

You’re my wife.

Holden’s words reverberate through my brain like an annoying earworm I can’t get rid of. And the nonsense about maiming any man who touches me? Every word he uttered was filled with possessiveness. I shouldn’t find it hot. Nope. This can’t happen again.

But the way he pushed his hands into your hair.

I wanted to melt.

Damn it.

Focus.

I blow out a breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

Holden opens his door and exits. Random shouts and flashing lights immediately fill the dim interior of the vehicle. Through it all, Holden shields me from view, giving me a much-needed extra reprieve.

I shift in my seat, eyeing the door behind me. The need to run rushes through my body like a live wire, rendering me frozen.

You’ve got this. Just smile. Everything’s great, and you’re happily married. Pretending is your specialty.

Holden leans down and extends his hand toward me.

Our gazes connect, and something buzzes low in my stomach, especially when he gives me one of his soft smiles.

The same soft smile he used to give me on an almost daily basis.

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