Page 77 of Savage Promises

The kiss is soft at first, a gentle seal of our vows, but an undercurrent of something darker, more dangerous takes over. His lips linger just long enough to leave me breathless.

When he pulls back, those lips tilt into a smirk. “I have more for you later,” he murmurs, his voice thick with bottled lust that I’m sure I’ll experience firsthand in a couple of hours.

After the ceremony, there’s a small cocktail party in a heated tent in the garden behind the church. Even that’s brief. It’s a blur of polite smiles hovering over champagne glasses. The guest list is small, the atmosphere restrained. Especially with the absence of Garrett. A reminder this marriage is wrapped up in a deal I had no hand in.

All I know isShane’shand never leaves my waist, and his presence alone is enough to steady the whirlwind inside me.

Before I know it, it’s over, and I’m in the backseat of his SUV with him as we drive to what he said will beourhome.

The brownstone located in Lower Manhattan is everything I expect from Shane. Classic and understated luxury with six cement steps leading up to a wide front stoop. Bay windows bracket the front double doors with old-world black-leaded glass ones on the many floors above.

With one of the double doors open, Shane swoops me off my feet. He carries me inside, his lips connecting tomine and so all I remember is the kiss.

He puts me down in front of a heavy door for the vestibule and staircase.

Dark wood and marble finishes mirror the quiet strength Shane projects. He gives me a tour and his hand stays on the small of my back as we move from room to room.

“A housekeeper comes every day, Monday through Friday,” he says as we pass through the living room with a white brick fireplace and built-in bookshelves.

In the kitchen, my jaw drops. Gleaming appliances line the walls with dark cherry cabinets and sparkling bare countertops. They’re so pristine that I’m not sure I want to make a cup of tea for fear of spilling a drop.

“What about the weekends?” I ask.

“I wing it.” He shrugs. “I know where to get food. I know what toeat.”

That also means for two days a week we’ll be all alone.

Past the kitchen with a massive window overlooking the yard, Shane’s home office sits behind the staircase. There’s a bathroom and a small spare bedroom further down the hall for the housekeeper if she has to stay over. He tells me the basement has a gym, but we don’t go down there.

We climb to the second floor which has a cozy den and a media room. There’s another office that Shane made up for me. I’m embarrassed how messy I kept the desk at the villa. This office is set up perfectly and neatly.

“How did you know I’d want it just like this?” I ask, spinning around, admiring the layout.

“I looked at your Pinterest account and saw the pins tagged your dream office,” Shane says, smiling.

I clutch my chest. “It’s true. This is perfect.”

“In a couple of days, we’ll go over what else you need as far as equipment.”

It looks fully stocked to me, but I say, “Okay.”

“Come on, one more floor to go.” Shane takes my hand.

We keep climbing until we reach the third floor’s narrow hallway with a polished wooden banister. On the far end facing the front of the house, Shane opens a door to reveal a beautiful bedroom decorated with noticeable but feminine touches.

“This is your room,” Shane says, catching me off guard.

I blink in surprise, something stirring uncomfortably deep inside me. “My room?”

“I need my own space. It’ll be better for us. I’ll be a better husband this way, I promise.” He motions to a door down the hallway. “That’s my room.”

He steps inside and brings me with him. I don’t know what to say, but I hide the hurt and feel ashamed because the room he made up for me is beautiful. It’s spacious with a full-length window overlooking the street below.

“You have a row of closets between here and the bathroom and a small alcove on the right. You can set up Hawk’s litter box and his bed like it’s his little apartment.” Shane’s nose already twitches just being near Hawk’s carrier sitting on the floor near the closet.

“Mama is here, lovey.” I let Hawk out as he meows ruefully.

He rubs against my leg, and I scratch behind his ears, trying to calm him down. I instructed the guards to keep him in the carrier since this was a new environment and I didn’t want him to face it alone. He had his blanket, toys, kibble, and water. Now he’s ready to stretch his legs.

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