Page 47 of My Solemn Vow

I stand at attention as they climb into the SUV and then until it leaves the parking lot.

Antonella is mine. She’ll make a good wife. We’re compatible.I can stomach those things about her. I turn back to the hotel and keep my thoughts on her, absently navigating back up to our room.She may be mine and we may be good together, but that doesn’t mean I can trust her.

23

ANTONELLA

FOUR CHEESEBURGERS

“Hey,” Valor says from the bedroom doorway of our hotel suite.

The disheveled look suits him.

I toss the last pillow up toward the headboard and finish remaking the bed after having grabbed spare sheets from a closet in the suite.

The rigid Valor of this morning has faded to something softer. He’s not without edges but more relaxed. I guess that’s what an orgasm does to most people.

“I was thinking.” He doesn’t approach me. Instead, he leans against the doorframe, crossing his muscular arms over his chest.

That’s a dangerous thing.I keep my comment to myself and wait patiently. It’s not like I could go anywhere. He’s blocking the only entrance to the room.

“Let’s get out of here. This feels... shameful.” He gestures to the bed, his top lip curling and eyes hard. “We shouldn’t be forced into this. It’s done. It’s over. But I don’t want to stay here, in this space, under the weight of the situation anymore.”

Shameful? Situation?His words are pointed and sharp, and I can’t tell if he’s angry with the circumstances or somethingelse... like me. The sharp juxtaposition of Valor makes my chest throb.

When he left, he was visibly frustrated, but I attributed it to the garish act of having to provide proof. He was tender and kind toward me, like he had been since I got out of the shower. Albeit a little awkward, but he was still tender. There’s nothing I can do but ride it out.

“Sure.” I shrug, trying to be accommodating. But I gesture to the hotel robe I’m wearing. “You wouldn’t happen to have clothes for me?”

Valor nods and disappears into the living area of the suite. He returns a few moments later with a shopping bag from a boutique store and hands it to me. “This should all be close to your size.”

I’m quick to accept the bag and take it to the bathroom to change. The skirt, blouse, and sweater are my size. It’s a put-together outfit, and while they’re not things I would normally pick for myself, they are beautiful.Is this what Valor wants his woman to wear?I could absolutely work more of this into my wardrobe.No. Nope. I don’t dress for men. Especially if they want me to.But I pet the sweater again, and my resolve crumbles a little bit...Even if they do have good taste.

With the fresh clothes on, I take a little bit of extra time to blow out some of my hair. I try to keep the heatless curls fluffy, but I know without any hair product, they’ll fall flat and be gone before bed, but at least it’s something for now.

When I exit the bathroom, Valor is in dark-wash jeans and a gray T-shirt. They’re practically molded to his skin.Is there anything he doesn’t look sexy in?

Shoes are set out for me next to the bed with a small handbag beside them. The small clutch I left in Valor’s SUV will likely fit in it.

“Ready to go?” Valor checks his watch, the door, me, and his watch again.

“Jesus, rush much?” The utterance comes out unchecked and unfiltered, and regret sinks in almost immediately.

“Sorry.” Valor’s apology holds sincerity. “I fuckin’ hate that we had to do this, like this, and I could really do with like four cheeseburgers and a stack of wings right about now. It’s not my intention to be a complete asshole to my wife.”

My wife.My whole body shudders, and I try to force it down. But no matter how hot he is, I can’t keep doing this back-and-forth.

“I don’t know where I stand with you.” I put the words out while slipping on the new shoes. They pinch a bit, but I ignore it.

Valor tilts his head and seemingly looks me over like I’ve said something incredibly complex. “Oh?”

“I’m serious, Valor.” I sigh and scrub my hand down my face, glad it’s free of makeup so I can be as tactile as I like. “What is it? How will this work? I can’t imagine this was how you saw your life going. It isn’t how I envisioned my own.”

But that last bit is a lie. I knew this would be my fate. I assumed it would be to someone less...What exactly? Attractive? Complicated? Powerful?

Valor stalks forward. The pumps I’m wearing give me a slight edge, but I miss the four-inch heels that brought me closer in height to his over-six-foot frame. I’m not short at five-and-a-half feet tall, but Valor doesn’t hesitate to use that difference to his advantage. We’re chest to chest when he slides his hand up my arm, across my shoulder, up my neck, and into my hair. The way he interlaces his fingers into my hair is soft and intimate, a contrast to the stern look in his eye.

“I like the fire, princess.” His voice rumbles low. “I like that you feel comfortable enough to show me this spark. My people appreciate women who stand their ground. But I’m still your husband, and that spark is fine as a spark.” He narrows his eyes as if to emphasize his point.