Page 30 of Vow of Obsession

“Me?” I point to myself.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Right.” I snap my fingers. “That is me.” The man nods. “I have gotta pee,” I lie. He’s security. I know I have seen him around here before. Was he stationed next to me? At this point I wouldn’t put it past Warren.

“You have to head to the main house for the restroom.”

“Thanks.” I stick to the outside of the tented area, trying to blend in. It’s not helpful when everyone says hi to me while I pass. I smirk when I make it out of the tent without being caught.

“Mrs. Marino. This way.” I spin around to see the same man.

“You followed me.”

“I did.”

“And you’re not going to stop, are you?”

“I have my orders.”

“If I’m ‘Mrs. Marino’”—I make air quotes with my fingers when I say my name—“then can I do some ordering around here?”

“They won’t override War’s.”

“So if I wanted to order Chinese food and he wanted to order Mexican, he always wins?” I throw my hands up in the air.

“Why would you order takeout? Marcello is one of the best chefs.”

“Touché.” He has a point. I quickly come up with a new plan as I make my way toward the main house. The man even follows me into the house, lingering outside of the bathroom. I lock the door before I go straight for the window.

It takes me a second to get the window up, but I manage to pull it off. Sadly, I’m as good at sneaking out of this window as I was the other night. So needless to say, I take a tumble, rolling and landing flat on my back. Don’t judge me. I mean, I’m in a damn wedding dress; I was bound to fall. I decide to just lie here, even though I know my dress is probably getting dirty. I stare up at the night sky. You can always see all the stars out here.

“You’re going to be a handful.”

“Holy craptickle!” I scream, sitting up. Warren looms over me. “Do you have me LoJacked?”

“Thinking about it.” Warren leans down, plucking me off the ground like I weigh nothing.

“Why are you always showing off your muscles?”

“What?” He barks a laugh.

“Nothing.” I wave him off. “Put me on my feet.”

“It might be safer if I don’t.”

“Fine, at least carry me bride-style.”

“Bride-style?” He lifts a brow at me, making me smile.

“You’re handsome when you’re not mad.” I cup his cheek with my hand.

“Is that so?”

I let out a loud sigh. “It doesn’t matter, though. You’re always handsome.” I roll my eyes. A full-on smile spreads across Warren’s face. Okay, that’s the hottest expression I’ve ever seen. “Bride-style me. You know, like you’re carrying me over the threshold.”

“Got it.” He shifts me in his arms so that I’m cradled against him. I lean in, placing a kiss on his cheek.

“You shouldn’t sneak out without telling me.” Here we go again.

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