A Twisted Arrangement (Twisted Vows, #2)

by Jessa Wilder

He dips his head to my ear so only I can hear him, and I can’t stop my shiver when he says, “I’ve caught you, Little Sparrow.”

Dressing her has been one of the small indulgences I’ve allowed myself. Spoiling my girl even before she’s mine.

“So, what are you saying? You’ve been waiting for her?” “Ten fucking years, Damon. Her time’s almost up.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “That my Little Sparrow is about to be mine.”

He raises his hand, cupping my face, and guides it up with his thumb. “Don’t look away from me when I’ve come to see you.”

He doesn’t move away like I expect him to. Instead, his mouth moves closer to mine until his breath tickles my lips, and I can almost taste whatever sweet mint he’s been chewing on. “I’ve come to call in my payment.”

“Kiss me, Scarlet.”

When my gaze finally trails up, it’s to see her warm eyes on me. She smirks at the state of my hair. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this way.” “The things I do for you.” I smile back.

Me: Happy? Matthias: With you? Always

“What do you want me to say? That I’d get down on my knees and beg her? That I’ll bend to her every whim if it makes her happy? That I’ll uproot my life if she asks me? Because there is nothing I won’t do for my wife. She could ask me to walk off a bridge, and I’d ask her which one. Don’t fool yourselves—she’s not the one being strung along. I gave up any hope that I could live without her a long time ago. All I can do is do my best to show her I’m worth taking a risk on. That even though I’ve hurt her, I did what I did because it’s what she needed at the time. Not because I decided for her, but because it’s what she asked for.”

Plus, our promises don’t count anymore.”

His hand closes around my wrist. “Why? I kept mine.”

“I told you I’d marry you when you turned twenty-five.”

“Are we going to have sex?” I say, barely above a whisper. If he wasn’t so close, I doubt he would have heard me.

“Not while you still hate me.” He pushes forward, the friction causing me to moan.

He nips my neck and whispers in my ear. “I don’t think you have any idea how devastatingly in love with you I am. I’ve tortured myself to always be your wind and never your cage.

“Even as a kid, I knew you were my soul. Letting you fly was the least I could do. But you’re mine now, Little Sparrow, and even though I will spend the rest of my life lifting you up so you can soar, I’m never letting you go again. I’m done waiting.”

“I can practically see the gears turning in your head. Just ask me.” Matthias’s low voice rumbles against my ear as he tilts my head up to look at him.

Rebecca is a red that rivals my wife’s name as she looms over the desk. “I’m a partner at this firm.” Scarlet stands, placing her hands on the desk and leaning in. “And I’m the owner. If you keep looking at my husband like that, you won’t be anything here.”

“You may be my boss, but I’ll never be completely loyal to you. If she wants to run again, I’ll help her.”