Page 30 of By His Vow

She rolls her eyes and sighs heavily.

“Just…just be quiet from here on out. This morning has been stressful enough already.”

8

TATUM

“Stop here,” I demand as Kingston pulls his cell from his pocket and scowls at the screen. One quick glance lets me know it’s his Mom. I’m so not going there this morning.

Sitting forward in my seat, I get ready to escape the car I had little choice but to get into a little over ten minutes ago.

“Keep going,” Kingston demands like the epic asshole that he is, letting me know that he’s listening to everything despite being distracted.

Has he not already ruined my morning enough?

“Lewis,” I purr, dropping my voice so it’s low and husky. “Please, could you pull up here?”

“Do not use that tone with him,” Kingston snaps.

“Oh, but it’s okay for you to use it with me?” I counter.

“You’re mine. Not his.”

“Careful, Kingston. We’re only one day in and your jealousy is showing.”

His lips purse in anger.

“I am not?—”

“Just here would be great. Thank you so much, Lewis,” I say, diving for the car door before the fuming man beside me can stop me.

“Tatum, I swear to fucking God,” he huffs behind me before muttering to Lewis, “Don’t say anything.”

“I didn’t say a word, Boss,” Lewis says as I reach the coffee shop door.

The second I step inside, the scent of rich beans hits my nose and my mouth waters.

Caffeine.

I get in line, my body aching for a hit that’s going to help get me through the rest of the morning.

My head is still pounding steadily behind my temples and my stomach is now growling, desperate for some food that isn’t pureed what…seaweed and rabbit food?

I sense him before I feel him. His presence, even when he’s behind me, is powerful and almost too much to take. But knowing he’s approaching doesn’t stop my entire body from flinching when his arm wraps around my waist and drags me back into him.

“Do you defy me for fun, Tatum?” he whispers in my ear. The rush of his warm breath sends a shiver racing down my spine.

I swallow thickly as he holds me tighter against him, letting me feel just how hard he is in all the right places.

“You sure seem to enjoy it,” I snark as the server calls, “Next.”

“Hi, I’d like a cap?—”

“Green tea and a granola yogurt,” Kingston interrupts.

I shoot him a scathing look over my shoulder before turning back to the server.

“Ignore him. I’ll have a cappuccino with a double shot, a pain au chocolatanda cinnamon bun. And it’s Tatum,” I add.