Page 129 of Vow to Hate You

I laughed nervously. “I might not have bought one. Reading one of your dirty books got me all hot and bothered.”

“Lying to me?” He tsked. “Even better. Now I get to see that ass turn red from my palm.”

“We have the meeting?—”

“Not for another two hours. We have time.” He motioned for me to start walking, raising his eyebrow when I stayed near the road. With a chuckle, he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me away from the street and taking my spot on the curb.

“Always the gentleman.” I tugged out of his hold, skipping in front of him. “I can walk where I want, husband.”

I glanced over my shoulder, letting out a shriek when he lunged at me. I laughed, darting away, getting only a few steps before he got ahold of my arm. My face grew hot when he flipped me over his shoulder.

“Damian,” I protested, tugging at his t-shirt. “Put me down.”

“You should have listened.”

My struggles did nothing as he carried me down the sidewalk, and I caught more than a few people staring when we passed. After turning a corner, he finally halted at the car we’d bought six months ago. He pulled me off his shoulder, letting me land on my feet before he pinned me between himself and the trunk. I pressed my lips together, suppressing my smile as I met his amused gaze.

“Going to listen next time?” he questioned as he cocked his head.

“Maybe. Right now, I think I’ll enjoy your punishment. You’ve been gone too long.”

“Oh, Talie,” he murmured. “Don’t say things like that unless you mean it.”

I grinned wickedly. “I always mean it.”

“Next time I fly anywhere, you’re coming with me.”

I slid off my small backpack to get my keys. “Good. I don’t like being away from you. The bed is lonely.”

He took the keys from my hold, giving me a heated smile. “Let me take you home. We have time to eat my favorite meal before we have to be back at the club. The next couple days will be busy.”

I giggled, glancing up, and nodding to the billboard on the other side of the street. “It’s going to be an amazing night.”

He followed my gaze, looking at the sign.Club Facade: Ember Lake. Five masked, shirtless dancers took up most of the billboard, and my DJ name was at the bottom. Georgia had been working hard to promote, and she was a huge part of why there was so much excitement around our opening night.

“I’m sure it will be,” he agreed. “But all that matters is having you at my side.”

“I always will be.”

He kissed me before rounding the car to open the passenger door for me. I slid inside, watching as he strode toward the driver’s side. For the first time in what felt like ever, my heart was full. There were no worries. No twinge of past hurt.

Damian made me happy in every way possible.

He always would.

The End

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