Page 75 of Savage Promises

Before I say anything, I notice Neve standing in the corner. Her presence is a bitter reminder of how she could have manipulated me.

“Neve,” I say coldly. “Leave us.”

She hesitates, her mouth opening to argue, but one sharp look from me sends her scurrying out the door.

I look deeper into the room and lose my breath at the sight of Lennox. She’s standing in front of a cheval mirror in that dress. The lace mermaid dressIbought for her. A dress she never would have picked out for herself because she’d think she couldn’t pull it off with her ample breasts, curvy hips, and round luscious ass.

It fits her like a dream, every curve perfectly accentuated and ready for my hands. Her hair is pinned up with soft dark strands framing her face. The emerald pendant sits in the hollow of her throat, like it’s been grafted onto her skin. She’s breathtaking and perfect. My heart hammers harder than I ever knew the useless engine could.

“Shane,” she says softly, meeting my eyes in the mirror, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

“You look...” I can’t find the right word, so I settle for the truth. “Perfect.”

Her lips part, one hand brushing the lace on her hip. “Someonepicked out this dress for me.”

Winking, I say, “The guy has good taste.”

“Maybe I’ll thank that guy later with some sex.” She smirks and turns around to face me.

Going rigid from volcanic lust storming through my veins, I pull the prenup from my jacket and hold it out. “I need you to sign this first.”

Her brows knit together. “What is it?”

“A prenup,” I explain bluntly. “Standard. You keep your money. I keep mine. You get a basic settlement ifthings don’t work out.”

Her eyes widen. “Don’t work out? You’ll let me go?”

I chuckle, “Hardly.”

Lennox studies the prenup, then stares back at me. “Should I have my lawyer look at this first? This is awkward timing, Shane.”

“I agree. It was handed to me only ten minutes ago. Give it to your lawyer tomorrow, the next day, next week,” I say, my tone softening. “If there’s an issue, we’ll address it. This is just a formality.”

She hesitates for a moment, then nods. “Okay. I trust you.”

I lean down, catching her lips in a kiss before she can say anything else or ask any more ridiculous questions. I meant it when I said I will never let her go. The kiss starts soft, but I can’t help deepening it, pouring everything I feel into that moment.

When I pull back, her eyes seem dreamy.

“Sign that so I can make you my wife already,” I murmur against her mouth.

With a pen I give her, she signs both prenups and hands one back to me, keeping a copy for herself. I put my copy back in my jacket with no intention of ever looking at it again.

“I’ll see you at the altar, baby.” I leave the room with a smile, not even sparing Neve another glance as I walk past her.

I’m marrying theexactbride I want.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Lennox

Prenups and blood tests. Not exactly the morning ritual for a bride marrying for love. A female doctor came to the villa early this morning to test me for STDs.

She took my swabs and vials filled with blood and said, “We’ll have yours and Mr. Quinlan’s results later this afternoon.”

Without another word she left, all the while I thought:Shane’s being tested, too.

The air inside The Cloisters chapel is warm and heavy with the scent of fresh flowers. A contrast against the cold, gray Manhattan sky outside. It’s February. Not exactly prime wedding season.

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