Page 93 of Temporary Vows

“I think it’s cute,” she mutters, glancing back at Knox, who’s still fussing over his wife and baby.

“Liar.” Itsk.

She giggles. “Maybe.”

“Is Elodie here yet?” Isla asks, glancing at me.

“Soon,” I answer.

“Can’t wait to meet her.”

“Me too,” Adeline chimes in. “It’s the night for first meetings.” She sounds more excited than usual because her plus one—her new boyfriend—will be coming tonight. It’s the first time we’ll be meeting him.

Knox catches her meaning straightaway and sets his shoulders back. He’s more protective of her than Dad is. “I’m looking forward to having my own heart-to-heart with Mark.”

“It’sMatt, Knox. Not Mark.” Adeline frowns. “Please get his name right. And don’t scare him away. He’ll be here in five minutes. I like him a lot.”

“He’ll only be scared if he has something to hide.”

“Oh my God. You are insufferable.”

“I’m not. No harm ever came from being too careful. You’re eighteen.”

“I’ll be nineteen in a few months. Please just be nice to my boyfriend.”

I take her arm and look her square in the eye. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t kill this one.”

Her frown deepens. “What do you mean bythis one,Dorian?”

Knox and I laugh.

“Ugh, you guys,” Isla chides, then slips an arm around Adeline. “Come on, let’s dip some marshmallows in the chocolate fountain.”

“That sounds good.”

They saunter away, and Knox turns back to me.

“You are so bad.” He chuckles.

“No more than you.”

“I’m way better than you when it comes to Adeline. I’m lenient.”

He glances over my shoulder, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Yeah? Let’s see how lenient you can be with your wife-to-be. Though you did saybusiness is business.”

He lifts his chin, signaling me to look.

I follow his gaze, and Elodie Harper is the first thing I see.

She's standing at the top of the stairs, looking like she was conjured from a dream.

A light blue sleeveless gown flows down her body, the silk fabric falling in weightless layers. The dress cinches at her waist,showing off her graceful curves and slender frame. Her platinum hair is swept back loosely, soft around her face.

For a heartbeat, everything else fades and that spark of attraction ignites deep inside me.

Eyes turn toward her, and all I can think is that she’s mine. The thought hits hard, my cock tightening in my pants, my mind filling with thoughts I shouldn’t have.

Then Parker walks up beside her, and she looks up at him and smiles.