Page 38 of Forbidden Vows

“Fair enough.”

“And don’t give me any BS about how you feel. It’s obvious to the blind that you two are into each other and then some. I could tell from the moment I first saw you two interacting at Ciara’s engagement party. The thought crossed my mind that your dad clearly set Anton up with the wrong Donovan sister.”

I give her a startled look.

She laughs. “Oh, come on. Love is always messy and inconvenient.”

“That’s a big word for what’s going on here.”

“Eileen, listen to me. What’s happening today is a good thing. You’re a wonderful woman, you’re smart and educated. You come from a powerful family, and you’ve got a heart of gold. Anton may seem like the devil to you, but the man’s got a soft center, and it’s burning for you. He’ll lay the world at your feet.”

“Then why do I feel so miserable?”

“Well, that’s your choice, isn’t it?”

Suddenly, the room feels too small.

“I’ll be back.”

Tears sting my eyes as I head out of the restaurant and into the hotel lobby.

“I want to go home,” I cry to myself as I look around, searching for a place to hide.

Just then, Anton’s voice wraps my heart in something warm and soft. “We’ll go home, then.”

“I don’t wanna go home with you!” I snap, desperate to let my anger get the better of me. Maybe if I hurt him, he’ll keep his distance. “You don’t want this any more than I do, Anton, at least admit it.”

“Remember those wedding vows we took? I didn’t dream any of it, did I?”

I give him a confused look. “What?”

“I’m not gonna lie to you, Eileen, even if that’s what you’re asking me to do.”

“I don’t understand.”

Anton takes me firmly by the arm and escorts me to the nearest elevator.

My heart races as we step inside, and I glance back at the restaurant doors. “What are you doing?”

“Explaining something to my wife.”

I stand beside him, puzzled, as the elevator doors slide shut.

My core tightens as I take a deep breath, letting his spicy cologne fill my lungs and dissolve the tension in my muscles.Anton’s mere presence is enough to literally unwind me. It’s infuriating when I’m trying so hard not to like him.

As soon as we reach the top floor, Anton pulls me out of the elevator and brusquely ushers me into the bridal suite. For a moment, I’m breathless as I take everything in.

“Oh, wow,” I whisper, overwhelmed by the explosion of white roses and gold-specked silk linens spread over the California king-sized bed.

It smells beautiful, the scent of roses and lily-of-the-valley filling the space, along with soft vanilla and just a hint of cinnamon. The room is huge and brightly lit, the city of Chicago glimmering beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The skyline burns red and yellow, while my heart burns white-hot for the man standing in front of me.

“‘What exactly is the matter with you?” Anton asks, his smoldering gaze turning me to embers.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t want this any more than I do, Anton; at least admit it.” He mimics my voice in an unflattering fashion that forces a giggle out of me.

“But Ciara—”

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