A Tempting Arrangement (Twisted Vows, #1)

by Jessa Wilder

Carter struggles against his hold until Damon has him bent over my balcony railing, and then he’s begging him not to let go. I should be scared, terrified, but seeing Damon like this has my thighs rubbing together and my pulse racing in my ears. There’s something sick and broken inside me that loves the way he’s handling my date. Carter yells, and my mind snaps back in place. “Don’t kill him!” Damon looks back at me, head tilted. “Only because you asked.” He slams the patio door shut and locks Carter outside. All of Damon’s attention is focused on me. His shoulders rigid, dark eyes narrowed, as he eats the space between us. Rationally, I know I should run. That nothing in this scenario is right. So why is my blood heating, my heart racing, and every fiber of my being coming alive at the way he stalks toward me? I take a tentative step back, and he shakes his head, clicking his tongue. I freeze in place, not daring to disobey him. A realization lands on me like a rock. I wanted him to show up. I wanted him to be jealous, and now I’m thrilled that he’s here. He wants to marry me, and I want him to prove it’s not just a game. He says I’m the one he wants, but I need him to prove it. There’s a wildness inside of him as he closes the distance between us. His fingers aren’t gentle as they wrap around my chin and direct my gaze to his. “This is a dangerous game, Little Nymph,” he warns, voice low, and a tremble runs through me. My instincts are on high alert, but I don’t t...

Bro the chemistry has not failed me once

He licks the mark he left, fingers gathering his cum and pushing it back inside me. “Don’t make me remind you again.” He tugs my dress back into place, and cool air hits my heated skin when he pulls away. My mind finally clears just in time to see Damon slide the patio door open. Holy shit. Shit. Shit. How did I forget about Carter? Oh my God. I just let Damon fuck me in front of Carter. I look around frantically, but Damon chose his spot carefully. Carter had a front-row seat to Damon taking me, but everything below my waist was blocked by the island. The hockey player doesn’t look at me while Damon walks him out of my apartment, hand grasped to the back of his neck. Damon turns to me where I’m still standing frozen in the kitchen and commands, “Never pull that shit again.” The door closes with a click, and the clear sound of the door locking catches my ears. Damon Ares Everette the Third has a key to my apartment.

I just- wow

Unknown: Misty, it’s your father. You clearly have us blocked. We saw the pictures with you and Damon Everette at the club. Come home so we can discuss it. You belong here with us.

Pls kys 😚

“First, we keep this private. I don’t want it splashed all over the news. You can tell your lawyers and your family to meet whatever requirements you need to.” “People will notice if I’m not actively looking for a wife.” “Which is why you’re going to keep going on dates.”

??

When I don’t take his hand, he crouches and meets me at eye level. He looks apprehensive when he asks, “Are you okay?” His tone is so soft, tinged with worry that has some of the bands tightening around my chest loosening. “I don’t belong here, Damon,” I say honestly. I’ll just have to find another solution for my visa. He reaches in and cups the side of my jaw, drawing my attention. “Listen to me. There isn’t a place where I am that you don’t belong beside me.”

Shut up I’ll cry

“He’s agreed to wed us out here so you don’t need to come inside.” My mouth falls open on a gasp. “I don’t have to go inside?” “No one’s ever going to make you do anything you don’t want to do, Misty. Never again. I promise you that.” His words wrap around me like a security blanket that I want to clutch and never let go.

Iktr

“You may kiss the bride.” Damon’s hot mouth is on mine, stealing my breath away. My fingers bury into his shirt, anchoring myself to him. Everything is happening so fast, but right here, in this moment, with his mouth on mine and his arms wrapped around me, he makes me feel grounded. Like he’s anchoring me to his shore. His hand slides down my back and grips my ass, giving it a tight squeeze. I break the kiss. “There are people here.” He drops his mouth to just below my ear and places a delicate kiss there. “They’re paid to look away.” “Damon.” I laugh and push at his chest. “Don’t forget my rule.” He groans and nips my neck. “Stupid fucking rule.”

Bro how am I so in love w this

“Where are we headed, boss.” “Back to her apartment,” he replies absentmindedly, like this is a totally normal situation. “My…my apartment?” “Ours now, Nymph.”

See-

“When’s the last time you ate?” He looks displeased. I have a feeling he’s not going to like the answer. “Last night.” “What? Why didn’t you tell me?” “Well, it’s not like it came up or anything, and I was…too nervous to eat today.”

They’re alr so domestic 🥰

I make my way to the kitchen, ignoring the hot brand of his gaze on my bare skin, and move behind him to grab a glass from the cupboard. They’re a little out of reach, and I lift on my toes. He lets out a guttural groan when the hem rises several inches. The sound coats my insides, pebbling my nipples instantly. I gasp when his chest meets my back, caging me against the counter. My heart pounds in my ears until it blocks out all sounds, and the only thing that matters is where his body touches mine. All reason vanishes from my mind, and I press back into him, wanting nothing more than to have his hands on me.

Girlll

Determined to not let him see just how much he is getting to me, I grab my own toothbrush and brush my teeth. He watches me in the mirror with dark eyes as he bends over to spit in the sink. I’m completely unprepared for how hot that simple action is. It’s not hot. It’s disgusting.

LMAO SHE’S SO REAL 😭

Cool metal slides over my wrist. I’m too lost to him to question what it is.

Bestie-

“That wasn’t very nice. You almost made me lose control,” he rasps against my ear.

I-

He’s put a thin bracelet on me. I twist it, trying to get it off, but it’s too tight to go over my hand. I stop when the pressure bruises the bones in my wrist. A shiver runs down my spine. What the hell is this?

Bestie u might be cooked idk

She’s temptation incarnate. I smile, satisfaction burning in my chest at knowing she’s mine. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s locked to me forever, right where she belongs. My Little Nymph is the only thing keeping me from sinking into the darkness, and I will not let her go.

Matthias: I can’t believe you bought the building. Matthias: Scratch that. When it comes to this girl, I totally believe it. Me: You’ve always been smart. Matthias: Don’t flatter me or it’ll go to my head. Matthias: I’ll have the eviction notices out by tomorrow. Some of them might create trouble. Me: Nothing a bribe won’t fix. Matthias: You’re so fucked up about her. Me: One day you’ll understand.

“Actually, I have the morning booked off.” “Who approved that?” He practically growls out the word. “My husband.” I smirk. He visibly softens in front of me and rests a hand on the counter, a slow smirk curving his mouth. “Why would he do that?” “Because I asked him to.”

Y’all so-

“Yes, boss.” I roll my eyes. He crowds me, my coffee pressed between our chests. “What happened to husband?” Heat builds in my lower stomach. I need to get away from him before I do something stupid, like kiss him. “It’s a secret,” I stage-whisper. He leans in and brushes his lips over my forehead, his words a caress. “Not when we’re alone.”

He’s so insanely down bad bruh

My carefully protected heart starts to crack open, and fear seeps in. I can’t do this. His brows pull together, eyes scanning rapidly between mine. “What’s wrong?” His voice comes like he’s speaking to a scared animal. “I…I have to get ready.” He’s still in front of me and doesn’t move when I try to skirt around him. “Please, let me go.” The plea in my voice startles him, and he steps back so fast his back bangs into the counter.

Welp

The glint of my silver bracelet catches my eye. “What the hell is this?” “You said no ring. You didn’t think I’d marry you and let you walk around without something that marks you as mine?” “I can’t take it off.” It’s not so tight that it imprints my skin, but it can’t be removed. He smirks. “You’re not supposed to.” “You’re very frustrating, you know that?” “I could say the same for you.” Warmth fills my stomach, expanding throughout my limbs at the way he’s looking at me.

Idk why ur shocked bestie like-

You look cute in the morning, wife. I’ll see you for lunch. --Your husband. I ignore the fact that Damon has, once again, suggested we have lunch together and run my fingers along the thick textured paper. I subconsciously raise it to my nose and take a deep breath of his scent. Husband, husband, husband. The word both thrills and terrifies me.

Both of y’all freaks huh

The plan seemed so simple yesterday. Get married, get my visa reinstated, get divorced in a year, and forget all about this. Then he had to go and be so freaking observant. He was understanding when I didn’t want to go into his house. Now, he’s moved into my place, and he’s leaving little reminders of his presence everywhere I look. There was a softness to him that I didn’t anticipate. An understanding, like only he could see what I’ve buried deep within me. He didn’t ask questions or try to pressure me. Instead, he bent to my level and gave me a choice in what we did. He gave me a say in his life and had no trouble adjusting. If I’m not careful, I could get used to this, and that’s not the plan at all.

Ur cooked I fear

“Okay, not to be insulting, but why you?” Piper lays her chin in her palm, leaning forward with rapt attention. Excellent freaking question, unfortunately one that I’d also love to know the answer to. “He didn’t say. Just that he has to get married and he wants it to be me.” Mia grins into her coffee. “That’s actually kind of sweet.” “He coerced me into marriage,” I scoff. She shrugs. “Still sweet.”

Mia is me I fear

“Misty, there is nothing to be sorry about. You went through something traumatic, and you chose how you would recover from it. What kind of friends would we be if we centered our own feelings over yours?”

Ok cause I was finna say it’s not like she’s obligated to tell y’all

For a second, I debate explaining he’s a part of some rich people’s secret society, the same that people speculate Damon’s in. It basically makes them untouchable. I drop it.

Girl tell Damon that’s an easy wrap right there we good

I subconsciously spin the silver bracelet. It’s providing way more comfort in this conversation than it should. Despite the fact that my dear husband coerced me into this marriage, he’s never made me feel like I should be anything but what I am. The thin band should freak me out, but there must be something wrong with me because I’m eating up the fact that he wants me to wear it. I can’t even begin to process how I feel about him. I know how my body responds, like he’s set it on fire, and it somehow was meant to be that way. Like, it’s just been waiting for him this entire time.

She’s always been mine. The second she tied herself to me, my world clicked into place. Like everything I’ve lived through brought me to her. I’d endure the pain all over again if it meant making me what she needs. Because she doesn’t need someone soft. She needs someone to see the darkness she tries to hide and worship her because of it. She needs someone who she isn’t afraid to show herself to because she knows I’ll never reject her. She instinctively knows that already. It’s why she shows me her fire and no one else. It’s why she’s comfortable pushing my boundaries every chance she gets. And I fucking love her for it. I love the joyfulness she shows her friends, making everyone feel lighter, but it’s the sharp edge to her wit that has me willing to drop to my knees to give her what she wants. There’s no feeling like tying the person you are meant to be with to you permanently. Because we are permanent.

Mannn

She wants me to refuse, but it’s the perfect opportunity to find out why she’s doing this in the first place. It’s her rule that got us here, and she needs to be the one that breaks it.

Period

“Perfect, so we’re agreed. We’re not exclusive.”

?? Girl what

Taunting Damon is like taunting a wild animal. I’d declared we weren’t exclusive, then quite literally scurried out of his office. I found the first single hockey player I saw and asked him on a date tonight.

Ion like that ur using innocent dudes for this tho like u did Carter

What I didn’t tell Nicholas, and I can barely admit to myself, is that I’m jealous. I shouldn’t have expected him to fight against pretend dating. After all, I’m the one requesting it, but I did. Against my better judgment, when he’d asked when we’d start the charade of him dating, something snapped inside of me. A bone-deep feeling that made my stomach turn and my chest burn with the need to deny him. To scream at him that he’s married to me and how dare he even pretend to date other women. But the slight curve of his lip had my carefully controlled emotions shredding apart, and all rational thought disappeared. I wanted him to feel like I did. I wanted him to taste the nausea on his tongue the way I was. So I declared us nonexclusive and then hid. The thing is, I want him to find me. I want him to prove there’s nothing that will come between us. It might be sick, twisted, and wrong. But after what happened to me in the past, I want someone who’s obsessed with me in the best way. Who’s happy to prove it time and time again. A man who will enjoy the game as much as I do. I don’t know when it happened, but Damon’s made me feel daring, like I can be as defiant as I want and he’ll still never let me go.

U needa come to terms w ur own feelings cause it’s giving childish I’m sorry to say

“Open the door, Nymph. Let’s see who you invited to replace me,” he dares. Damon looks dangerous, unhinged, but it’s not fear running through my veins. There’s a certainty locked in place within me that he’d never hurt me. That he’d protect me at all costs. Which just makes this game all the more powerful because I’ve trapped a dragon and forced him to play it with me. When I don’t move toward the door, he smirks. “Good girl.” Then, he opens the door himself.

See-

“I’m here to pick up Misty.” I wince, feeling a little bad that I dragged him into it. At least I’d picked one of the guys that had a reputation for being a dick to the girls he dates.

This is literally what I was saying earlier 💀

He stalks toward me, eating up the space in a few long strides. He reaches up to grasp my jaw, his fingers too gentle for the motion. “This is what you wanted, right? To have me in your control?” His thumb dips into my mouth and runs along my bottom teeth. “Did you have fun making me jealous?” “I…that’s not what I was doing,” I lie badly. His lips replace his thumb, grazing against mine. “Sure it isn’t.” He nips my bottom lip. “I’m always happy to play with you, but I told you that you’re mine. I don’t share what’s mine. Now, what’s your punishment?” “W…what?” I gasp. “I told you not to pull that shit again, and here you are, pushing me. You obviously want to be punished.”

Girl I’m sorry dats a man right there

“You don’t need to be afraid of me. I’ll never do anything that you don’t want. I will never hurt you, Misty. Let me make you feel good.” “Okay.” The air rushes from my lungs, and there’s a dampness pooling between my thighs. A low purr forms in his chest. “That’s a good girl.”

This would work on me I fear

“Did you purposely set out to make me jealous?” I should deny it, but my head’s fuzzy, and I can’t help but do as he wants. “Yes.” “Do you think that deserves punishment?” My panties are soaked through. “Yes.” “Then crawl to me. Show me how good you can be.” Every ounce of feminism evaporates from my mind. I’ll be a feminist tomorrow.

This is so real bruh I’m ashamed to say

“That’s my good girl.” It’s punctuated by the sharp sting of his palm. My entire body comes alive, the pain quickly morphing into pleasure, causing my clit to throb. He spanks me again, and I moan. His fingers dig into my hair, tilting my head back so he can look into my eyes. “You like that, don’t you, wife? You like to be punished.”

Sir-

He straddles my ass, pinning me down, and tears the seam of my dress up the side. My veins freeze at the memories of another time, a different man pinning me from behind. My muscles seize, cutting off my breaths. No, no, no. Please, no. I grip the sofa, trying to hold on to the here and now. I’m safe, I’m safe, I’m safe. I repeat the words in my head, trying to surface from the fear, but I can still feel Thomas’s clammy hands holding me in place, the sharp edge of his blade cutting through my skin. I’m in Boston. He can’t get me. I’m in Boston. Boston. Boston. Boston.

Waittt :(

Strong arms are wrapped around my middle, holding me up, but the terrifying feeling of being trapped is gone. Damon. “It’s okay. Shhhh, Misty. It’s okay. I promise nothing can touch you now.” He splays his fingers over my back, spanning from my ribs to shoulders, and strokes up and down over the thin fabric of my dress, murmuring reassurances in my ear. “I have you. I won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe with me.” I let out a shuddering breath as his strength slowly infiltrates my mind, burning away any memory of Thomas. He’s gone, and Damon will never let him get me back. The realization that I feel completely safe with Damon rattles me. I’d purposely set out to make one of the most dangerous men in the city jealous, and I didn’t worry about the consequences. I knew, whatever it was, he’d make me like it. Somehow, this man has become safe to me, and my heart doesn’t know how to handle it. I pull back just enough to meet his gaze, no doubt looking like a complete disaster, nose red, tears streaking down my face. “Sorry.” “How very Canadian of you,” he murmurs as he trails a thumb along my cheek, catching a stray tear. He’s being gentle with me, but there’s an underlying coldness in his gaze, a rigidness to his body that gives away the rage building within him. “Tell me what happened, and I’ll fix it.”

I relish the idea of Damon tracking Thomas down and ruining his life, but that would come with the need to face everything.

…well yes

Cool air hits my back when he moves his arm, and I flinch, scrambling to grab the ripped seam of my dress. Suddenly, even the idea of him seeing my scars, of how broken I’ve been, makes me want to throw up. I grab the seams of my dress, holding them together in a fierce grip. “I can’t.” His head rears back, hurt written in his eyes. “Just…just leave my dress on.” My voice is almost a cry, and I can see his face drain of color.

I-

He kisses the top of my head before getting up and leaving me to go to the bathroom without a word. I collapse back on the couch. I’ve upset him, but I don’t know what to say to make it better. I care what he thinks more than I want to admit. I want him to see me as he does right now. Not as the broken girl I was.

Here y’all go

Every instinct in me screams to go in there and demand to know who it was so I can cut them up, inch by inch, while they watch. Someone hurt my girl. Some sick bastard dared to lay his hands on her, and I’m going to hurt them back. It’s the fear in her eyes and her trembling body in my arms that keeps me in place. She needs me here, and she doesn’t need the sick, twisted version of me. I’d nearly puked when she’d flinched back and gripped her dress together. The small motion told me everything I needed to know about what happened to her. I want to rage, but it’s not what I want that matters; it’s what she needs. And right now, the last thing she needs is me stomping around her place, intimidating her.

A man

Me: Pull up her past. Matthias: I know you’re new to this whole husband thing, but even I know you should just ask her. My jaw clenches together, and I breathe through my nose, trying to keep my shit together. Me: Someone hurt her. Matthias: Oh fuck. Matthias: Give me a few hours.

I knew Matthias was a real one

“I just…I’m okay, now.” I search her face for any lingering fear and drop my forehead to hers when I don’t find any. “You can tell me.” “I know,” she answers but doesn’t elaborate. Finally, I pull back and grab the remote, and a sewing show appears on the screen. It’s some kind of competition to see who can make the best dress. I reverse our positions so I’m pressed against the sofa and she’s tucked into my side. “We don’t have to watch this.” She hesitates. “You like it, right?” I murmur. She looks at me sideways, an adorable line pinched between her brows. “Uh…yeah.” “Then it’s what we’re watching.”

I’m going to catch whoever’s responsible for touching my wife. I breathe through the rage burning through my veins and kiss the back of her neck, promising, “I’m going to take my time killing them.”

Iktr

I’ve set up a calendar with all of the events you’ll need to make appearances at. I pause before writing the next part, not willing to say “date.” Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: And a list of potential women to accompany you. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: Cancel them. Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: What? I just spent all morning scheduling all of these. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: That’s unfortunate since I won’t be going.

I’m so dead💀

Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: CEOs don’t go to galas with their employees. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: Are you asking to be fired? Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: Do you want to be murdered in your sleep? Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: Be careful, Wife. I like it when you’re all murdery. I ignore the flush in my cheeks, thanking God we aren’t having this conversation face-to-face. Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: You would like that. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: I will speak to my mother. Don’t bother planning anything else. I won’t be attending. Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: But you need to appear to be looking for a wife. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: I found one. And everyone who needs to know, knows. I swallow hard. Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: You’re really not going to go? Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: You seem to be under the impression I’m willing to give you up.

I love their banter bruh

Misty’s little I guess you don’t need me text has been a gnawing pain that needled into my side until I found a solution. Sure, I could force her to stay in my building, but I didn’t want her being near me to be a punishment. And something tells me I shouldn’t waste her time. I considered letting her go back to her old responsibilities, but I didn’t fucking like that idea. So I bought the airline.

Hello??

“Please tell me you just bought an airline so your wife will hang out with you?”

Well yes