Page 21 of Forgotten Deeds

“Sorry, what was that?” I whisper.

“Repeat after me,” Kat says. “I, Lily Grant.”

“I, Lily Grant.”

“Take you, Darius Angelo.”

“Take you, Darius Angelo,” I repeat the words, looking at Darius. Amusement with something else flickers in his eyes.

Kat leads me through the rest of the vows, and it’s Darius’ turn. His intense gaze never leaves mine as he recites the words. “Till death do us part,” he says with such intensity I have to avert my eyes.

“By the powers vested in me by the State of New Jersey, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Kat announces with a smile.

Man and wife.

Those words echo in my ears as Darius leans down and gives me the sweetest of kisses. I’m shocked; obviously, I knew the kiss was coming, but I didn’t expect it to be so tender. He gently cups my cheeks with his big hands, angling my head to deepen the kiss.

His tongue darts out, licking the bow of my bottom lip, and I find myself opening for him. He explores my mouth with his tongue as he pulls me closer to his body—his big arms wrapped around me as his hard dick presses against my stomach. With lips as soft as pillowy clouds, he twirls his tongue around mine, and my knees feel dangerously weak.

Kat clears her throat, and I break the kiss, my face heating.

Darius smiles before kissing the tip of my nose, releasing me from his arms. “Not a word about any of this—you or your friend,” he warns his cousin.

“A word about what?” Kat turns to me. “Lily, it was so nice to meet you, and congratulations! Welcome to the family,” she says, hugging me.

Welcome to the family. Those words replay ominously in my mind.

Chapter Ten

Lily

Feeling absolutely shell-shocked, I sneak a glance at my husband. Darius’ face gives nothing away as he focuses on the empty stretch of road before us.

“Why are we stopping?” I finally break the uncomfortable silence when we pull into The Diamond casino.

“We’re getting a room,” he tells me.

Panic sets in. “But I need to get back to Iris!”

“You have a babysitter for the night,” he points out. “It’s late, and we’re both tired.”

“But—”

“We’ll drive back to Newark early tomorrow morning,” he promises.

“I don’t have any of my things,” I protest.

Parking the car, he opens my door. “We’ll stop in the gift shop, and you can get what you need.”

Not having any other excuses that come to mind, I take his outstretched hand—his rough bear paw practically swallows my tiny hand. He grabs my backpack before closing and locking his car, flinging my bag over one of his broad shoulders. A nervous giggle escapes my lips at the sight of this beast of man carrying my pink backpack adorned with butterflies. Iris picked it out for me; she has a matching smaller version for preschool.

“I’m secure enough in my manhood,” he tells me with a wink. Based on what I felt pressed against my stomach earlier, he has reason to be secure.

I shake away that unbidden thought as we step inside the lobby and walk to the front desk. “Welcome to The Diamond,” the clerk says in a flirty tone, eyeing Darius up and down. She must like what she sees, because she stands a little straighter and gives a flirty smile.

My hands have somehow balled into fists, and I force myself to relax them at my sides.

“How can I help you?” she purrs.

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