Page 54 of Vow to Hate You

Damian’s question had me swallowing my amusement as he held the car door open for me. I slid out of the SUV, keeping my eyes on the sidewalk to hide my grin from him. Someone was jogging toward me, and I moved out of the way, ignoring how Damian reached to pull me closer to him. Instead, I skirted around him and walked on the curb near the line of parked cars.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, feigning innocence. “Am I not dressing to your standards?”

He grumbled something under his breath, and I nearly giggled. He didn’t care that I was in leggings and a hoodie. He was going crazy over the fact that he had no idea where I was going with Char. He was hoping my outfit would give a hint of where we were going, but I was getting changed when I got to my sister’s apartment. I was getting far too much enjoyment at watching his annoyance grow as he eyed the large bag I had over my shoulder.

“You don’t have to walk me to Char’s door,” I said. “I’m sure you have plans tonight.”

“I parked more than a block away.”

“You could have dropped me off in front of her building.”

He tsked. “Now what kind of husband would I be if I didn’t escort you?”

Before I could say a word, he stepped behind me, and his hand landed on my hip. He moved me to the side, taking up the spot I’d just been walking in. I stared at him, nonplussed, while he kept walking as if he didn’t move me for no reason.

“What was that?” I asked, pushing his hand off my waist.

“What?”

“You moved me, Damian.”

“You were too close to the road.”

I sputtered out a laugh. “No, I wasn’t.” Skipping ahead, I cut in front of him, continuing to walk where I was before. Until he snatched my arm and tugged me next to him again, keeping himself between me and the street. This time, he didn’t let go of me, his hold around my waist tight enough to keep me from slipping away.

“What is this?” I mocked as we walked down the sidewalk. “Some macho man thing? Can’t have a woman walking near the road?”

He chuckled, tilting his head to meet my stare. “It’s the gentleman thing to do, Talie.”

“Gentleman?” I scoffed under my breath. “You own a sex club.”

“No one has sex there,” he tossed back. “And you haven’t been gone that long. You know I can be a perfect gentleman.”

“Canbe,” I echoed. “I haven’t seen any manners since I’ve been home.”

His fingers dug into my hip. “Well, now you have.”

“Why?” I asked, still stuck on the fact that he literally moved me away from the road. “You worried a white van is going to stop and someone is going to try to kidnap me? This isn’t one of those romance books you read.”

A laugh escaped me when he stumbled a step. I secretly liked how he read those kinds of books, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t going to stop bringing it up. It always took him by surprise, which was an emotion I rarely was able to get out of my husband.

“No, this is real life,” he finally replied, shooting me a look before a grin tipped up his lips. “But we can recreate any of those scenes if you want. Just say the word.”

“There you are.”

Char’s voice rang out, and I witnessed her getting out of a black town car. The driver was pulling multiple bags out of the trunk as my sister raced toward me, her heels clicking against the sidewalk.

“You’re late,” she said, glancing at Damian before her eyes dropped to his arm wrapped around me. “Sorry, Damian, but this is a girls’ night.”

“Oh, he wasescortingme.” I grinned. “Making sure no white vans come to take me. Isn’t he a gentleman, Char?”

Confusion was sprawled on her face, and Damian let out a loud sigh before turning me in his arms to brush a light kiss on my cheek. My stomach flipped despite itself when he kissed me again near my ear.

“Be good,” he breathed out. “Don’t get into trouble.”

“Don’t worry, husband. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

When he pulled away, his eyes were narrowed. “Where are you going?”

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