✨EXCERPT: COERCED VOWS by @author.amariecollins
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“Are you sure you remember everything?” Gabriel asks from the driver’s seat of his black Mercedes AMG.
My gaze drifts from the sun-drenched rolling hills outside with the last hints of summer to his unnerving stare.
Does he ever allow himself a moment of ease, or is his life a constant, high-strung performance, the kind that makes you wonder when he’ll finally snap?
“I’m waiting.”
I take in his crisp white Henley, which stresses his well-defined arms and hugs his torso. The contrast against the low-slung dark denim is striking. Then I gaze back up at his tense arms, the muscles bunching, knuckles stark white as he grips the wheel, his face etched with irritation.
Despite his relaxed attire, he’s just as dictatorial and unpleasant as usual.
“For the millionth time, yes. You all but made me flashcards and drew me pictures,” I snap.
His behavior has been unpleasant ever since he learned of Grayson’s existence almost a week ago, leading to a cycle of negativity and equally rude responses from me.
“Where did we meet?”
Annoyance prickles me.
“A company party.”
“Who approached whom?”
My jaw grinds. I find his “version” of our first meeting that he made up to be utterly unbelievable.
“I approached you … though I never would,” I mutter the last part.
“Excuse me?”
“I approached you,” I repeat.
“Yeah, I got that. What was the last part?” His amused tone has me gazing back into his eyes, which now sparkle with the same mirth as they did over dinner the other night when I was giving him shit.
His gruff attitude is something I’ve learned to navigate by giving it back to him, but these rare moments when he acts playful—a smirk here, a light jab there—throw me off.
With a nervous lick of my parched lips, I stare into his eyes, attempting to project an air of indifference. “I would never approach you.”
His lips pull into a slow grin. “What’s wrong with me?”
Looks-wise, absolutely nothing, unfortunately. Personality-wise, too much to count on one hand.
#amariecollins @theauthor.
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