Page 111 of Temporary Vows

The words settle strangely inside my chest. Or maybe it’s his tone.

It makes him sound like he’s saying sorry for so much more than what’s happened. Maybe he is.

Maybe he’s sorry for what’s to come.

What’s to come for me.

Chapter 25

Dorian

Ibrace my hand against the dining table, my fingers pressing into the surface.

Morning light spills across the room, bathing the walls in a soft, rustic gold.

I’ve spent the last few days living in my office at Vale Global.

When I got home last night, I was barely in before the sun came up again. I don’t think I can call the meager two hours of rest I got sleep, but it’s better than nothing.

The other day, when I worked late, I genuinely was catching up on work.

This time, it’s different.

I have a different problem.

Elodie Harper.

I can still see her beautiful, naked body writhing in pleasure against the table, and taste her sweet arousal on the tip of my tongue.

And I still feel like a fool for walking away.

Why did I leave? Especially when I was the one who started the whole thing.

I just couldn’t do it.

I was moments away from fucking her.

Moments away from finally satisfying a thousand-year-old itch, and I stopped myself because Icouldn’tdo it.

I’m not supposed to feel anything for her. Going that far when we’re about to engage in a marriage of convenience threw me off, and it didn’t feel fair. To her.

I meant it when I said it wasn’t a good idea. It wasn’t.

My absence over the last few days gave us distance. But I’m sure the engagement ring in my pocket will make things that much more complicated.

It arrived last night. Hand-delivered from Switzerland.

It’s the final piece of the plan before the wedding.

One glimpse of it on Elodie’s hand, paired with the whispers the PR team are about to spread, and the tabloids will go batshit crazy.

I can see the headlines now.

Villainous Billionaire Dorian Vale Engaged to Long-Lost Love.

Since the yacht party, I’ve been in the spotlight in all the right ways.

Just like I planned, our story is all over the papers. Levi worked his magic with the PR team and produced a miracle. The people love me.