Page 15 of Jealous Vows

For a split second, I know without a doubt he’s after me for revenge.Whatever my father did passed him off so much he’s willing to play whatever game this is.

Despite my horror, I don’t shrink back.I stand frozen like a petulant, spoiled princess caught in the spotlight of his glare.There are a million nicer, easier ways to communicate my preferences, but instead, I tilt my chin higher and lift my brow.

The ease with which he tucks away his anger and dons his charm frightens and intrigues me.Part of me envies him for his control.

“As you wish,bambolina,” he says.

He hides it well, but a sliver of mockery creeps into his tone.Instincts scream for me to run.He wants to hurt me.I won’t survive a brutal, powerful man like him.

But he hasn’t hurt meyet.

He said my uncle sent him to deliver me safely to his wedding, which means Valentina andZioMario probably want him to treat me well, at least for now, so they can punish me first.

When he takes the dress from me and steps around the partition, I slump and breathe a silent sigh of relief.He returns.I jerk upright.He adds two more dresses to the wall hooks before smirking and disappearing.

I track his movements through sound.Hangers sliding along the rack.Fabric rustling.His heels clicking against the floor.

My mouth dries as Romeo’s silhouette appears on the divider.He unbuttons and shrugs out of his shirt.

“Do you need help?”

His low, rich voice breaks my stupor.I reach for the nearest dress.

“No.I’m fine,” I reply.

Embarrassment warms my face as my breathy voice betrays me.

I pull the dress off the hanger, but half my attention remains on the divider.Desire curls through me as Romeo continues to undress, his smooth movements full of leashed power, and I stumble when he shucks his trousers down his legs.

He pauses.I peel my stare off the privacy screen and change into the dress as quickly as possible.

After pulling the zipper all the way up, I glance down and huff as I realize I need to take my bra off.Already exhausted, I manage to lower the zipper halfway before my shoulder cramps.Instead of asking for help, I unfasten my bra and work one arm out before the inside of the dress snags on the lace.

I curse.

A masculine chuckle sounds from behind me.The hairs on my nape stand on end.I cant move as emotions bombard me.Roughened fingers brush against my back.

With gentle yet unrelenting hands, Romeo detangles the straps and reaches into my cleavage.Sparks sizzle straight to my nipples, hardening them in a rush as his knuckles brush against my sternum.He slips my bra free and lets the lace dangle from his finger.

I stare in disbelief, trapped in shock that he dared intrude when there was a real possibility of him seeing me naked.He knew I was changing yet he barged behind the partition without hesitation.

My brain clicks into gear.I grab for my bra, but he lifts it out if reach.

“I figured you were adventurous, but more along the lines of burgundy or a pretty pink.This?”

He leans down until his face fills my vision.The scar cutting through his eyebrow sits in high definition against his perfect features.

“This is unexpected.I like it,” he murmurs.

I snatch the fabric away from him and hide it behind my back.He doesn’t need to know the leopard print was the last one on the rack and therefor heavily discounted.

“That’s rude and you’re being a creep.I didn’t ask for your help.This is my side of the partition.Get out.”

“You can come over to my side anytime,bambolina,” he suggests with a pointed glance over my shoulder.I shift to better hide my bra.

“What happened to not offending my uncle?”I challenge.

He hums and traces a fingertip along my jawline.Butterflies attack my stomach.