Rowan's vows

LARRY’S POV

"Never, Larry,” Rowan snarled. “I will never ever stay away from you. And from today onward, you are forever mine!"

I sat there analyzing his words as they rang in my mind over and over again. “You are forever mine!”

He didn't sound like he was joking, or even teasing. There was an air of finality in his words.

I looked at Rowan and saw him staring at me in a way I had never seen before.

 He wasn’t staring at me with his usual lazy smirk, or mockery. 

No.

This was something way more intense. He was staring at me in a way that made my body tense up in all the wrong places and made my lungs forget how to work. 

My heart started racing again. 

“Nope,” I began shoving at his chest. “No. You don’t get to say shit like that to me.”

But Rowan barely moved; instead, his eyes slowly roved over my body, eating up every exposed skin and reminding me how much smaller I was compared to him. 

“What the hell do you even mean by that?” I demanded. “Because last I checked, you’re getting married to my sister, not me. You have no right to claim me as yours or whatever shit you just said.” 

Rowan smirked down at me. “I mean exactly what I said, Larry.” 

I scoffed. “Oh please. You’re talking rubbish.” 

I straightened, forcing a confidence I definitely didn’t have. 

“I mean it, Larry. I will never ever leave you alone and you are also going nowhere.” He declared. “In fact, I know you booked a flight to leave the country immediately after the wedding.” His eyes hardened. “Cancel it now!” 

My eyes widened in shock. “H--How do you know about that?” I blurted. 

Rowan shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re getting rid of the tickets and you are staying here with me.” 

I stared at him in shock. “You’ve officially lost your fucking mind, Rowan.” 

He moved closer. “I’m serious, Larry. You’re not leaving me. ever.” 

I felt an uncomfortable heat crawl up my neck, but pretended not to notice. 

“And who the hell do you think you are, telling me what to do, huh?” I snapped. 

In one swift motion, he grabbed my chin and pulled my face very close to his. 

I gasped as my chest hit his. His chest was solid, warm, and all too close.

“I am yours,” he whispered. “And you are mine.” 

I held my breath as his hand moved lower, to my waist before gripping me firmly. “I’m serious, Larry, I’m never ever letting you go.” 

I felt goose bumps spread over my skin and cold sweat go down my back. 

I hated this. I hated him. I hated how my body was suddenly reacting to him, and I hated that this didn't feel like a joke anymore.

Rowan meant every word he said, and just as I was about to respond, a sudden knock on the door startled me.

 “Larry?” Cindy —Sasha’s best friend called out. “It’s time to get dressed. I brought your suit!” 

I lunged forward and covered Rowan’s mouth and he looked at me with barely hidden amusement as I shouted back.

“Uh—yeah! Just a minute!”

“Did you oversleep again?” Cindy chuckled. “You’re supposed to join Sasha’s bridal train soon, remember?” 

Oh God. Right. 

Sasha. My sister. I was supposed to be with her right now, helping her get ready and being there for her as a good brother. 

Not sitting naked in my room with her fiancé, having a psychological breakdown. 

“Can you leave the suit at the door?” I said quickly. “I’ll grab it soon!” 

“Sure thing!” 

The light thud of the fabric hit the door, and the sound of her footsteps slowly faded away, leaving nothing but silence. 

I slowly turned back to Rowan.

“You need to leave. Now.” 

He didn’t respond, he just took my hand from his mouth… then kissed it.

I yelped and yanked my hand back. “Don’t do that!”

Rowan only laughed as I began shoving him toward the window. “Out. Now. Before someone sees you and I actually die.”

He climbed on the sill with a mischievous grin on his face. “You’re never getting rid of me, Larry.”

 “Oh yes, I am.” I hissed. 

“Never.” Rowan suddenly kissed my cheek, then disappeared out the window, leaving me staring at the open space, feeling like I had just hallucinated everything.

‘I must be going mad.’ I thought.

I quickly showered, put on my peach-colored suit, and rushed down the hall to Sasha’s room. 

The moment I stepped inside, I was struck speechless. Sasha looked stunning.

Her dress fit her perfectly, with her golden hair curled into beautiful waves, then decorated by pearl-like hairpins.

Her face was glowing brightly… She looked absolutely in love.

 A sudden wave of guilt crashed over me in that moment, and I had to quickly blink away the tears.

 I just told myself that Rowan was lying about what happened yesterday, and that was all there was to it. 

“Wow,” I said softly. “You look beautiful, Sis.”

Sasha beamed and pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m so happy you’re here, Larry.”

I hugged her back tightly. 

Then she pulled back with a sigh. “I know you and Rowan hate each other,” she said. “But can you please just pretend to get along today? For me?” 

We did a lot more than just get along last night… at least according to Rowan, but I couldn’t say that.

So I nodded with a gulp. “Yeah,” I said. “Of course, Sis.” Because I would do anything for her. She was the only family I had left.

….

Everything after that felt like a blur; I blanked out the rest of her makeup, laughter, music, and suddenly we were standing at the altar.

Sasha was crying as she read her vows. 

I stood behind her, with my hands clasped, trying not to think too much about anything.

Then it was Rowan’s turn to say his vows, and he began, “I never actually thought I’d get a chance to be with you in this lifetime,” he started.

“But now I know… it was never impossible, all I had to do was take the risk to touch you, and now I know we belong together.”

For some strange reason, my heart began pounding as he spoke. 

“So from this day onward, I vow to you that I’m never letting you go,” he added. “Never.” 

The repetition of the words he said to me that morning made me snap up to look at him, and to my horror, I realized that Rowan wasn’t looking at Sasha.

He was looking at me, straight at me. 

It was more like the vows were meant for me, and the more I realized it, the more fear and panic gripped my heart. 

Sasha didn’t notice though; she was crying too hard, and everyone around us had now erupted in applause. 

But me? I felt like I was going to throw up.

…

At the reception, I quickly escaped to the restroom, closing the door behind me to avoid anyone watching me get sick.

After throwing up, I splashed water on my face to calm down.

What the hell was happening? And why was it happening?!

Suddenly, I heard the restroom door open and click shut. Then it was firmly locked. 

I looked up, and to my horror yet again… Rowan was standing there, smiling down at me.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I whispered with my heart racing in my chest.

“Why not?” Rowan drawled. “I just came to kiss my bride.” 

I frowned. “What—”

I didn’t get to finish my sentence before Rowan grabbed and shoved me against the wall. 

I gasped in shock and tried to push him away, but then his lips slammed down on mine in a forceful kiss. 

My brain immediately shut off, and I could see stars bloom behind my eyes. 

I desperately clawed at his arms as Rowan groaned against my mouth. 

“I’m sorry, baby, I can’t hold back anymore,” he growled. “I need you.”

My panic immediately went into overdrive as his hands slid down to unbuckle my belt.

In that moment, I had a sudden, horrifying thought —If Rowan hadn’t actually taken my virginity before…

He was very determined to take it now.

And I had no idea how to stop him.