A Tempting Arrangement (Twisted Vows, #1)

by Jessa Wilder

For all the readers who want “touch her and die” to be literal.

My brother clears his throat. “So who are we stalking?” “My future wife.”

“It’s time for you to go inside.” “What if I don’t want to go inside?” I can’t help the small whine of my words. He gives me that same chilling smile. “It’s not safe out here. You never know who you’ll meet.”

She is captivating me with her clear green eyes, pulling me in like I’m a planet and she’s my sun. I’ll gladly spend my days orbiting around her.

“She will. She won’t have a choice by the time I’m done.” “Fuck, brother. That’s scary. You know, you could always ask her,” Xander adds.

“You know, this whole desperate stalker thing is a good look for you.”

Me: Where is she? Matthias: You know I don’t have a tracker on her. Me: Good idea. Matthias: Fuck man, that wasn’t a suggestion.

There’s nothing healthy about how I feel right now, but I have no desire to fix it.

Matthias: Your girl isn’t where she’s supposed to be. Me: What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Matthias: You should really keep better track of her. Me: That’s what I have you for. Now, where the fuck is she? Matthias: Looks like she snuck out, better call Nicholas. He’s going to lose his shit when he realizes he’s lost her.

Me: Do you have a death wish? Bubbles come and go several times before his message comes through. Matthias: Sometimes.

“You know, I bet the hate sex between the two of you is absolutely insane,”

“Have you grown tired of living, Carter? I can fix that for you,” Damon asks him, his voice barely above a whisper, somehow making it worse.

“Don’t kill him!” Damon looks back at me, head tilted. “Only because you asked.”

This isn’t love; it’s possession, and I’m falling into it willingly.

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.

“Can we just roll this back a second? Are you telling me you had her date watch you fuck her?”

“I fucked up.” “You think?” Xander sighs, collapsing back into the couch he’s sitting on. “You’re going to be fucking unbearable when she tells you to fuck yourself.”

“Are we invited to the nuptials?” Xander adds playfully. “No, thanks. He probably wants to bond her in blood.”

“Listen to me. There isn’t a place where I am that you don’t belong beside me.”

“You can’t move in with me. My apartment is tiny. You’re a freaking billionaire!” My voice rises with each word. “I’m aware of the state of your apartment. I was there.”

There’s a beauty in starting over, a freedom to create whatever world you want. However, there’s a guilt that comes along with hiding a part of yourself from the people closest to you.

With any luck, he’ll be the one begging. Preferably on his knees.

YES QUEEN

Matthias: I can’t believe you bought the building. Matthias: Scratch that. When it comes to this girl, I totally believe it.

An underlying frustration builds within me, sparking a fire in my chest. “Who said you could bring your coffee maker?” “Grumpy in the morning, I see?” Damon’s voice is right next to my ear, and a shivery heat tracks down my back. I scoff. “I’ve been told I’m a joy in the morning.”

If I’m going to the gallows, I might as well look pretty doing it.

“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.”

Then, I hid in an unused office for the rest of the day, praying that my bracelet really isn’t a tracker.

oh babe im postitive that it is

“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.

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,”

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.

“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.”

“Can’t I just email you?” “You are my personal PR person. I’m planning PR things. You’ll need to be close by.” “You know that’s not true, right? I can just stay at the Bruins building.” His brows pull low over his eyes. “Unless you want me to trade half the team, you’ll be coming with me today.” “That doesn’t make any sense.” “Exactly. So, we’re agreed. You’ll be coming to my office.”

At least now, I’m doing pretty good. I have an extra-large coffee, and I’m currently scrolling Amazon instead of getting any work done.

Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: 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. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: If only I were that lucky.

Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: You’re the one who refuses to admit to everyone YOU are my wife. Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: Temporary wife. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: You keep saying that. Misty Hart - Junior PR representative: That’s because you seem to keep forgetting. Damon Everette - CEO of Everette Industries: Is that what I’m doing?

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.

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?”

He bought a freaking airline. An airline! When I said I didn’t have work, I didn’t think he’d actually go out and do something crazy. Because this is definitely next-level insane. He probably had this purchase set up in advance because there is no world he went through all of that just to get me to hang out with him. Right? Right?

Me: You don’t acquire new companies often enough to keep me busy. Damon: You’d be surprised what I would do to keep you with me.

“That’s interesting.” “What is?” He glances up at someone before looking back at me. “That you haven’t realized that everything Damon does is intentional. I assure you, Mrs. Everette, it is not because it was convenient.”

“Hello, sister.” Sebastian Everette gives me a lopsided grin and winks while throwing his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer, as if we really are family. “Be quiet,” I warn, eyes darting around to see if anyone heard him. “I work for your brother. Remember?” “Ah, yes. You’re his employee only. Our mistake. I guess we’ll need to bring you into the family another way.” Bash lifts my hand and places a delicate kiss on my knuckles. “Everyone is looking,” I hiss under my breath and go to yank my hand back, but his fingers tighten momentarily, holding me in place before letting my arm drop.

The sweet scent of smoke and cologne fills my nose milliseconds before Damon’s arm wraps possessively around my waist. His voice is a dark warning when he says, “Watch how you speak to my wife.”

Misty gasps, then glares at me, mouthing the words “I. Am. Going. To. Kill you.” She’s so fucking perfect. “Fuck, I love it when you’re all stabby. Feel free to try.”

A muscle twitches in my jaw with the effort to stop myself from explaining that this will never be over. That there is no after. There’s not a timeline in this universe where she gets away from me.

“Leave me alone.” Her muffled yell comes clear through the door. “You’re in our room,” I point out helpfully. “Sleep on the couch, or better yet, go to your own home.”

Bash: How pissed is my sister? Xander: The way she stormed out of there was impressive. Bash: Some fucking asshole was talking shit about her. Don’t worry. We took care of it. Xander: Highlight of my night. Matthias: The two of you made a fucking mess of it. You’re lucky I caught the camera feed and wiped it. Next time find somewhere hidden. Me: What the fuck did they say? Bash: Nothing anyone will say again.

“You’re not an idiot. Don’t act like one.”

“I can’t take this.” “It’s cute that you think you have a choice.”