Page 67 of Ruined Vows

I felt my chest clench at the thought. “Damn, man. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ve got someone at least for nights after I put Ella down so I can come out to the club sometimes. I think I’d go nuts without a little release here and there.”

“So what time’s good tonight, brother? No stress, I can always ask Caleb.”

Marcus makes a disparaging noise. “Please. You see subbies crowding around him like they do me? No. I’ll give you a refresher. Be there at eight.”

“Awesome, man. Thanks.”

The little voice in the background is becoming a higher-pitched whine.

Marcus breathes out a sigh. “Better make it eight-thirty. There’s strip poker at nine, though, and I’m not missing that. Daddy needs a night off with adult play, if you get my drift.”

Then the line switches off.

I stare at the phone. Shit. Note to self. Never have kids.

TWENTY-SIX

KIRA

I checkmy phone after class, then wince and wish I hadn’t.

UNKNOWN: You enjoy being on stage with all these men staring at your tits, Slut?

UNKNOWN: You’re such a fucking whore.

UNKNOWN: You deserve to be bled.

UNKNOWN: I’ll make you squeal like a piggie before I kill you.

My thumb hovers over the delete button because I want to stop seeing the texts. Want them to stop from ever existing.

But I stop myself from deleting them and glance anxiously around at all the students filing out of class. It’s evidence. And maybe a clue. There are far more women than men in my class. Was my stalker really just here? Was the stage he was referring to my class lectern?

Because there’s no way he could possibly know that I’m hoping to get on a stage atCarnalto scene with Isaak soon. He said probably not this week, but maybe next? I look over at Isaak, who’s walking up from the back row, where he’s been the whole class except for a short period when he stepped out to take a phone call. I immediately feel a rush of relief as he gets closer.

I feel safe when he’s nearby.

And he’s beenverynearby the past week. In every which way. In all sorts of positions. I feel my cheeks start to burn, but luckily, the last of the students filter out through the door, none of them hanging around to chat after class, for once.

I tuck my phone into my pocket.

I should show Isaak the texts. But I don’t want anything to stop our plans for tonight. I’ve noticed how Isaak seems even more protective since we’ve become intimate. He barely wanted to let me out of the hotel room this morning, even knowing I had class.

And if there’s one thing I’mnotgoing to let this bastard of a stalker do, it’s to take any more of my freedom. I’m going to be a married woman in seven weeks, and then I won’t be able to do things like scene at a sex club. Freedom is the whole point of having Isaak around, right?

Well, at least it was in the beginning. I mean, not that what we’re doing is… We’re just enjoying each other’s bodies since heisaround… right? It’d be a shame to waste this time I have with him.

I bite my bottom lip and frown. Or is that wrong?

“What’s wrong?” he asks, immediately on alert.

“What?” Shit. What is he reading on my face? “Nothing.”

“You look upset.”

“I’m not upset.”

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