A Tempting Arrangement (Twisted Vows, #1)

by Jessa Wilder

My orgasm slams into me, my entire body quaking as it rushes through my limbs. Damon doesn’t stop, instead alternating between my clit and spanking me hard, building a pressure inside me I’ve never felt before. He guides me higher and higher unt...

“Fuck yes,” he hisses. “Such a good girl. So perfe...

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’m in Boston. He can’t get me. I’m in Boston. Boston. Boston. Boston.

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.”

have you. I won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe with me.”

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.

“Tell me what happened, and I’ll fix it.” His stormy gray eyes glint silver as he studies me. “It’s…it’s fine.”

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.”

His body’s trembling, as if he’s using every ounce of his willpower. His arms bind me to him, squeezing once, then letting go. He kisses the top of my head before getting up and leaving me to go to the bathroom without a word.

I want him to see me as he does right now. Not as the broken girl I was.

Grabbing one of my gray gym hoodies from the bag, I head back into the living room.

My heart stills at the sight of her. She’s tucked herself into the corner of the sofa, pink hair wild around her temples, and her knees are pulled into her chest. Her vulnerability has me wanting to drop to my knees in front of her and beg her to let me erase it. Instead, I approach her and hold up the sweater between us.

“Arms up.” It’s a testament to how unsettled she is that she lifts her arms and allows me to lower the hoodie over her head without a word of protest. It falls around her, engulfing her entire body, and I rock back ...

I go to the kitchen and grab her a glass of water, hauling her over my lap with one hand. “Drink this.” Apparently, I’ve been reduced to monosyllabic grunts. ...

“I just…I’m okay, now.”

“You can tell me.” “I know,” she answers but doesn’t elaborate.

“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.”

“Okay, but it’s not my fault if you hate it,” she says, blowing out a breath, and I’m pleased to see her shoulders relax.

“What did you find?” I’m careful to speak low enough not to wake her. “Someone’s wiped her blueprint. The most I can find is that she went to the hospital and stayed there for twenty-four hours when she was in high school.” “Why?” “That’s the thing. It doesn’t say why. Her files are blank, no notes from nurses, no reason for her going in. It takes power to make this shit go away.”

“Keep digging,” I command. “You know I will, but…you should ask her.”

“I’m going to take my time killing them.”

“Now, now, wife. Don’t tell me you want to get rid of me?” He’s standing there wolfishly, daring me to respond. “Not for another…” I pretend to look at a watch on my wrist. “Roughly another three hundred and sixty days, give or take.”

A muscle in his jaw ticks, and I don’t think he’ll respond until he says, “You are surprisingly unfunny, dear wife.”

“I can take care of myself.” “Of course you can. You’re an Everette now.”

Fine. We found lots of potential wives for you. You could even start a harem.

Speaking of wives. Your last name is wrong.

Oh, yeah sure. Because changing my last name wouldn’t raise suspicions at all. At best, people would think I’m some kind of stalker freak.

If only I were that lucky.

Cancel them.

That’s unfortunate since I won’t be going.

You have to!

You’re the one who refuses to admit to everyone YOU are my wife.

Temporary wife.

You keep sayi...

There’s a simple solution.

Please, do tell.

Go with me.

CEOs don’t go to galas with their employees.

Are you asking to be fired?

Do you want to be murdered in...

Be careful, Wife. I like it when you’r...

But you need to appear to be looking for a wife.

I found one. And everyone who needs to know, knows.

You’re really not going to go?

You seem to be under the impression I’m willing to give you up.

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

I groan, my head feeling fuzzy. He bought a freaking airline. An airline!