A Tempting Arrangement (Twisted Vows, #1)

by Jessa Wilder

“I understand if, after tonight, you may not want to be around me, but I will not let you go,” he says, voice pitch-black. I glance up at him. The pink light from the sunrise tints his skin. I suddenly realize I don’t want him to, and that one-year timeline ticks in the back of my brain. “My darkness matches your darkness. If you’re broken, then I am too,” I say.

Oh y’all locked in huh

His gaze is locked with mine, soft and attentive as he strokes me from within. If I didn’t know better, I’d say there’s adoration there. A possessiveness that makes me feel owned. He drops his forehead to mine, cock still moving slowly, and his ragged breaths tickle my lips. “You’re made for me.”

“You’re mine now, Nymph. There’s no turning back.” I almost believe him.

Actually-

He reaches for my hand not holding the fork and twirls my wedding ring between his fingers. “This looks good on you,” he says, then slips his fingers between mine. The moment’s so intimate I can’t help but meet his eyes, needing to see if he feels the way I do. His gray gaze meets mine, a small curve to his lips. I’ve never wished to be able to read minds more than I do right now.

“Listen to me clearly. It’s not your fault. Thomas was going to die whether you were involved or not.” “If I hadn’t told you⁠—” “You really think I wouldn’t have flipped the world over to find out what happened after seeing your scars? You’re an Everette. We take care of each other, and no one fucks with us.”

Yuhhh

“You’re a fucking asshole,” Xander says the second we sit down at the table with them. I move closer to Damon, who wraps an arm around me and replies, “It needed to be done quickly.” “You don’t think we wouldn’t want to be involved? She’s our fucking sister.” Wait? He’s not mad that we got caught. Is he mad that he didn’t get invited? Damon tugs me closer, and I rest my head against him like we weren’t having a casual chat about murder. “You were out of town.” “I would have come back if I’d known.” “It’s so sweet that you care about our sis.” Bash cuts into the brothers bickering. He motions toward me. “How are you feeling? Late-night snack do the trick?”

I will never shut up abt found family

She’s looking right at Matthias, but he’s staring off across the restaurant, eyes narrowed. There’s an unmistakable chill coming off him, and I’ll be forever grateful that I’m not the one he’s looking at. “He’ll have the same as me.” Bash answers for him, looking concerned. “And a bottle of red.” “Of course. I’ll bring the house’s finest.” Once she’s gone, I’m able to follow Matthias’s line of sight, and it becomes clear what’s caught his attention. There’s a stunning woman in deep conversation with the man across from her.

Oop-

“She was involved when the boys were kidnapped. We know she wasn’t a part of their plan, but Matthias hasn’t spoken to her since.”

Ah

“You are aware that the marriage is temporary, right? I assumed you’d know.”

Girl what have u the vibe we was still doin that

“Sir, if you could sign here, here and here.” The head of accounting points toward the papers on my desk. He’s flagged where I need to sign with yellow flags. Normally, I’d take the time to read the document front to back, but I can’t take my eyes off Misty sitting in the cubicle on the other side of my office window.

Pls don’t let this backfire on us🙏🏾

I’d been like a lost puppy when I arrived at the office, only to find out she was in a meeting. Every second that delayed me from feeling her soft skin, hearing her greedy moans, and tasting her on my tongue was pure agony.

You’re a fiend my brotha

I take my eyes off her and sign the papers, not bothering to read a single word.

See the fact that this was repeated makes me feel like we’re cooked

He continues to talk, but I stop listening, my eyes riveted on Misty stepping into my office. She locks the door behind her and hits the automatic privacy blinds. “I have to g⁠—” Misty stops me with a shake of her head. It’s the mischievous smile that has me obeying. I think I’d do anything she told me to so long as she smiled at me like that.

You-

“I missed you.” She whispers it tentatively, and it’s like she reached into my chest and gripped my heart. I turn her so she’s sitting facing me and capture her mouth, wanting to taste her words, then drop my forehead to hers. I never want to be apart from her again. “Next time, you come with me.”

Matthias called an hour ago to let us know he’d set up a meeting with the Ricci family tonight. Everything in me screamed to not let him go. That there’s no way it’s not dangerous. Damon, on the other hand, doesn’t seem worried at all.

I feel like the conflict won’t be their relationship, just her getting kidnapped or sum

I didn’t like that he was even having to do this because of me, no matter how pleased I am that he’d gone a little crazy after seeing my scars. ’Cause let’s face it, that’s hot.

Real

He laughs, full and deep, and the smile he lands on me takes my breath away. His normally cloudy gray eyes are crystal clear, capturing all the light in the room as he looks up at me. My heart swells in my chest, my lungs struggling to fill against my tight rib cage. I think I’d do anything to have him look at me like this again. Damon cups the back of my neck and pulls my lips to his. I don’t even care that the taste of shaving cream fills my mouth or that it covers my cheeks. Not when he’s kissing me so gently, owning me to my very soul. He doesn’t let go until he’s explored every inch of my mouth, and still, his eyes don’t leave mine. “You are beautiful.” His voice is reverent. He grabs the towel from the bar and proceeds to wipe off my cheeks, down my neck, and over the swells of my cleavage. His touch makes my body come alive, and the realization that I love Damon slams into me.

It’s ok bestie it was inevitable. Also this was mf adorable

“So I was thinking. Since we’re publicly married now. I don’t think you should be bid on at Mia’s gala.” “You’ll be the one that wins. Just bid whatever it takes.” I make a displeased sound in response, still not happy about the bidding itself. He hums in the back of his throat. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.” I hold the razor up like a threat, and he just laughs. He strokes his thumb over my jaw. “Always be like this with me.” My legs go weak, and I place a hand on his shoulder for balance. Trying to play it off like he’s not absolutely destroying me with his words, I play along. “You’re obsessed with me, aren’t you?” He pulls my face to his, his lips rubbing against mine. “Something like that.”

Ts is so good bruh I been hooked the whole time I love them

“The Ricci family stands firmly beneath you. I truly appreciate you meeting with me today.” Something in his tone makes me uneasy, but I can’t expect him to be pleased in this situation. “You are dismissed.” “Congratulations on your recent marriage. A very unconventional pairing,” Anthony responds.

Listen to ur gut bestie he slimy

“Thanks again for meeting me.” I watch as he practically flees up the stairs, and we don’t speak until I hear the door slam after him. I look to Matthias. “Watch him. That was too easy.” “Already on it.”

Period I knew u weren’t stupid 😌

The sewing machine buzzes under my hands as I carefully attach another flower to my gown. I reach for a pin, and Damon hands it to me, not bothering to look up from his laptop. His legs are folded pretzel-like beneath him as he sits on the floor at my side. “You know, you really don’t have to do this,” I say, taking the pin from him. He’s wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, his casual appearance almost as attractive as his suits. All I want to do is curl up in his lap and let his warmth seep into my bones. “You wouldn’t let me buy you a dress” is his only response. “That’s because I like to make them.” The buzz of the machine stops as I move the fabric. “I know.” Damon grins and hands me another flower. “Hence the helping.”

I love domestic shi 🥰

“I like him.” Sidney gives me a warm smile. “Honey, you more than like him.” I can feel my cheeks heat and take a deep breath. “I love him.”

Some of the tension releases in my chest, and the tempting feeling of hope replaces it. Mia places her hand over mine. “He never mentioned a timeline, did he?” “No,” I breathe, a floating feeling building inside of me. “You have to tell him,” Sidney adds. Tell him? Tell him what? That I don’t want this to end? That I’m in love with him? “What if he doesn’t feel the same?” “Girl, what if he does?” is Mia’s reply.

…this can’t go badly…right?🤨

Tonight, I’m going to tell him the truth. Tonight, I’m going to admit I love him, and I’m low-key terrified he’s going to laugh in my face. The audacity to think someone like him could love someone like me. But he’d helped me stop hiding, so I’m not going to hide from him.

Guaranteed she gets got tn

“Misty. Listen to me. I am not a patient man. But I’d wait forever if it meant you’re by my side.

For my entire childhood, I’d been taught that I always had to be perfect, that I’d be rejected if I showed an ounce of my true self. Here’s this man who not only accepts my shortcomings but seems to like me even more because of them.

“Thank you all for coming. I know that it means a lot to Misty.” He completely skips that the entire event revolves around Mia’s charity, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m met with cheeky smiles, and I roll my eyes back at them. “If you’ll excuse me, I have guests I need to greet. Please look after my wife.” Damon squeezes my waist before disappearing into the crowd. “Was it just me, or did he add an extra boost of possessiveness at the end there,” Sidney asks, earning snickers from all of them.

Likeee he ain’t slick

“It doesn’t help that he only married me to secure his inheritance.” Even though things feel like they’ve changed now, that thought still stings. Bash chokes, and it takes him several seconds to recover before he looks at me with wide eyes. “You still believe that? I just thought by now you’d know.” “Know what?” I’m still only half paying attention, not wanting to miss a bid. “That yes, every heir was married, but they’d never been made to. Pure coincidence. Damon basically dragged our grandfather out to make the announcement so he’d be able to marry you.” “What?” My face snaps to his. “That doesn’t even make sense. He already had leverage with my visa.” “Maybe he didn’t think you’d go for it and wanted to lock it down. The man’s been basically obsessed with you since the moment you met. You know with the cameras, stalking, and all of that.” “Cameras?”

Now bash-💀