Page 82 of Forbidden Vows

“You said I don’t look like Dame’s girls.”

“You don’t.” His eyes wander again, rising from my breasts, then locking onto mine. “You’re…a natural beauty.”

His words evoke Aretha Franklin: ‘You make me feel like a natural woman,’ sending warm tingling sensations over me.

The late singer’s memory gives me the courage to shoot back:“Dame’shad a change of taste. He’s goingau naturel.We just got back from Rome together, actually.”

“Then let’s go see him, Miss Actually.” He casts a patronizing glance. “I’m sure he’s eagerly awaiting your visit.”

The thought of this man parading me to the dance floor and presenting me to an unpleasantly surprised Dame makes my stomach flutter uncomfortably.

“Bachmans do not take lightly to sneaky little girls snooping around where they don’t belong.”

“Who are you calling little?”

“You.” He moves closer, towering over me. I straighten my spine, but unfortunately, I remain a good ten inches shorter than him. Swallowing my fear, I stare up, forcing myself to hold his gaze.

When I imagined worst-case scenarios on the walk here, asix-two bouncer handing out consequences was nowhere on the list.

Neither was what he says next.

“I would let you off with a warning. But you’re lying to me. And I hate liars.” He hisses the word ‘liars’ with venom, eyes flashing, teeth clenched. He grabs my waist and pulls me to him. “Now you're all mine to punish.”

A shiver trips down my spine. What does he have in mind?

Read more…Vows in Sin

He’s twice my age. My best friend’s father. And my ruin.

I was ghosted by a man with whom I felt I had a connection.

I did the dumbest thing ever—broke into a mafia-owned club.

Trying to get one more glimpse of him.

I don’t make it far. I’m caught by someone else.

Massive. Commanding. Older.

Experienced hands that know exactly how to punish.

He doesn’t care that I was there for someone else.

He claims me for the night.

I should have screamed. I should have run. Instead, I begged.

The worst part isn’t how much I crave his dominance.

It was finding out he’s my best friend’s father.

And now he’s decided I belong tohim.

He’ll burn everything down to keep me, but what if I’m the match?