Page 68 of Devil’s Promise

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Angel

Promise has gone silent again.

She cuts Rock’s hair and then she disappears into my bedroom to get herself ready.

I know I fucked up.

And it wasn’t saying no to Promise in the shower. All those years, I lived with how my mother split and how my father couldn’t keep his word, not one time. Holding onto some shred of morality is the only thing that has kept me from becoming completely unhinged.

And the more time I spend with Promise, the more I want to find other pieces of myself that can be valued.

Where I fucked up was yesterday when I treated her like shit in front of her father. And the day before when I told her I wasn’t going to give her anything good. Just take…

No woman has given me real softness. They want to fuck me. Use me for their fun. But Promise has always been different. From the way we understand each other, to the parts of herself she’s willing to give, she’s more of everything.

I can feel the difference and it makes me want more. More sex, sure. But more of everything else too. More nights wrapped up together, more kisses, more words.

Fuck.

It hits me square in the chest that I’m doing exactly what I said I’d never do. I’m catching feelings.

It’s like a virus. But just like the flu, I’m powerless to stop it.

It’s just washing over me.

Rock and Knox stand on either side of me in their tuxes as we wait for Promise to finish getting ready.

My hands are clasped in front of me as I attempt not to fidget.

“Winthrop return that contract yet?” Knox asks, his hands crossed as well.

“No,” I reply, knowing that it’s not good. I sent it to him signed hours ago. But there is nothing to do but move forward. Carefully.

It’s nearly three in the afternoon, and it’s just about time to go. Knox is going to drive us in his large SUV. It means that Promise won’t have to climb into a low-slung car in her floor-length gown. And it also means that my brother, who I trust to drive, will be behind the wheel just in case…

I wish Axel was here to drive, but despite Knox calling him three times, we still have no word where he is or what he’s up to.

For all I know, he’s decided to split. Axel has his own career, he stays with us out of loyalty, and I’m feeling that hard.

The door to the bedroom cracks open, Promise peeking out.

I can see the white of her gown and one blue eye before she slowly pulls the door open wider, coming fully into view.

My breath catches in my chest, rattling in my throat. Her hair hangs down her back in loose waves that curl away from her face.

The dress hugs every gorgeous curve, and as she’s yet to put the wrap on, the pale skin of her chest is exposed.

I want to kiss every inch of it.

My eyes skim back up her body, over the slender column of her neck. Her makeup is stunning and effortless all at the same time, highlighting her eyes and the perfect pink hues of her skin.

It hits me.

Promise is about to be mine. My wife.

In my wildest fantasies, I never imagined holding something or someone so perfect. And where I thought of feelings like a virus, I think of claiming Promise as a gift.