Page 14 of Jealous Vows

Sienna Luciano

My nerves refuse to settleas cool air brushes over my exposed shoulder and midriff, but the silence inside the pristine hotel room was too much, so I rushed out as quickly as I could.I nearly cried at the sight of the big, soft, clean bed.It’s been so long since I’ve slept somewhere comfortable, my bones ache.I knew if I even sat on the edge of the mattress I would have fallen asleep, so I took a scorching hot shower, toweled dry, threw on Romeo’s massive clothes, finger combed my hair into a high ponytail, stuck my keycards into my pocket, and exited into the hall.

The temptation inside the room was too much.

The temptation out here is too much, too.

Romeo meets me halfway across the lobby and offers me his elbow.After a slight hesitation at the unexpected gentlemanly display, I slip my hand into the crook of his arm.

The name Romeo fits this mystery man too well.Although he always carries a deadly air, sometimes he dons a playful, compelling charisma, and I have no idea how to process it.It’s still more likely he’s after revenge for something my father did than that my uncle sent him, but he hasn’t hurt me, and I have no other option.No way to contactZioMario or Valentina.No phone or even phone numbers to call.Only forty dollars and the time, date, and location of their wedding.

As he leads me through the posh hotel entrance, I consider asking Romeo for their number, or to ask to speak with them over his phone, but what good would that do?If they intend to punish me, then I’d rather they do it in person, and what I have to say can’t be said over the phone.

The thought of hearing my ex-best friend and uncle’s voices full of disdain curdles my inside.

It may make me a coward, but cowards survive longer.I just need to make it to tomorrow so I can apologize.Whatever they decide from there will be my fate.

Romeo opens the car door for me.I duck into the backseat.

Unless my uncle forces me onto a plane, I’m never going back to San Francisco.I finally escaped my stepmother, and the moment I return, José will catch me.I’d rather die.

I flinch as Romeo’s massive body moves above me.He shrugs out of his suit coat, leans into the car, pulls me forward with a long arm braced behind my shoulders, and drapes his coat around me.Delicious, fragrant warmth surrounds my body.I swallow and scowl even as I clutch the lapels together.

“What’s this for?”I ask.

My caustic tone relays my distrust.After his hostility, teasing, and flirting, I can’t help but feel like he’s being nice because he wants something from me.

Nothing is ever free or safe in this world.

“You shivered.”

He shuts the door and leaves me to wallow in my embarrassment as he walks around the front of the car.I keep my gaze out my window the entire ride, too afraid I won’t be able to keep my eyes off him if I look.The glance I captured of him without his suit coat as he shut the door made my mouth water.If he’s a friend of my uncle’s, then the last thing I want to do is rock the boat by crossing that line.

I know what happens when women lust after men.I’ll never be free of the guilt writhing in my chest knowing it was my fault my father betrayed my uncle.

My head spins as Romeo opens my door and offers to help me out.He rolled his shirt sleeves.Tattoos cover his powerful forearms.Warmth throbs low in my belly, and my mouth waters with the urge to sink my teeth into his flesh.

I swallow my excess saliva and slide my hand into his.A shiver runs down my spine as his roughened digits close around mine.

He leads me into the fancy little boutique.Although one attendant seems neutral, the other two ladies behind the counter sneer at me when Romeo turns away.As the nonjudgemental woman ushers us down the hall, my ears burn from the others’ whispered gossip.

My steps falter when we enter a small room with a rack of men’s clothing on one side and another on the other side with women’s dresses.Although privacy screens create two separate changing areas in the back, the thought of undressing in the same room as Romeo is too much.

The tiny stage with three-sixty mirrors and sitting area at the front of the room create a cozy, intimate space.

I open my mouth to request a separate room, but when I turn around, all I see is the woman’s heel disappearing through the curtain.

At least there isn’t a door.I can call out at any time and someone will come running.Right?

Uncertainty jangles along my nerves.

Romeo tugs me over to the rack of dresses and flings an arm over my shoulders before looking through the selection.I stand with my heart in my throat as he slides the hangers across the rack.

He grabs four dresses and hauls me over to the nearest changing area.When he drops his hand off my shoulders and begins transferring dresses to the wall hooks, I grab one and shove it back toward him.

“No strapless,” I say.

Ice-cold fury shines from his eyes.Terror steals my breath.My heart pounds in my throat.