Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Damien
On the way home, I stopped at the florist and picked up a dozen beautiful red roses in a vase with a card that read:
For my beautiful wife. I will love you forever and always.
Your loving husband, Damien.
I needed to make sure Theodore Vale believed we were happily married. Stepping off the elevator, I walked into the kitchen with the roses and set them on the island.
“Hi, Connie. Where’s Willa?”
“Your wife is doing as you asked—leaving pieces of herself all over the penthouse. Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Damien? Willa is a very nice girl, and I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“She’s not going to get hurt. She agreed to this. It’ll be fine, Connie.”
“I thought I heard your voice,” Willa’s voice filtered from behind.
Turning around, my heart nearly stopped when I saw her standing there, face full of makeup, perfectly styled wavy hair, and a sexy black dress that made my cock spasm.
“Wow. You look great.” I smiled.
“Thank you. What beautiful roses.” She walked over and smelled them.
“They’re for show,” I said, and Connie shot me a dirty look.
“Aw, I love the card.” She pouted.
“As I said. It’s for show.”
“I know. You’re wearing your ring.” She grinned, pointing to my finger.
“I don’t have a choice, do I? Everyone thinks we’re happily married. How would it look if I didn’t wear it? I’m going to change. I’ll be right back,” I said, walking to the bedroom.
The scent of her perfume smacked me in the face the second I stepped into the bedroom. A mix of sweet floral notes and warm vanilla. A scent I found inviting and intoxicating. I wouldn’t lie and say I wasn’t apprehensive about Theodore meeting Willa because I was. I wasn’t sure what she’d say or do, which made me nervous. She was a little weird, and I worried she’d take it too far tonight.
I heard the elevator ding. Walking over to it, my Uncle Kroy and Aunt Racquel stepped into the foyer.
“Hi, Aunt Racquel.” I kissed her cheek. “You’re looking as lovely as ever.”
“Thank you, Damien. You’re always so sweet.”
“Well, where’s your bride?” my Uncle Kroy asked. “I want to meet her.”
“She’s in the kitchen with Connie. Willa, this is my Uncle Kroy and Aunt Racquel.”
“It’s so good to meet both of you.” She hugged them.
“You don’t need to put on an act for us, darling. We already know how fake this marriage is,” Uncle Kroy said.
“I’m not acting. I am happy to meet you.” She smiled, forcing a smile on my lips. Keep it up, good girl. “Oh my gosh, I just love your dress,” she told Aunt Racquel. “That color looks stunning on you.”
“Why, thank you, dear. You are very kind.”
The elevator dinged, and I inhaled a sharp breath.
“Vale is here.” I grabbed hold of Willa’s hand and led her to the foyer.
“Theodore, welcome to my humble home.” I smiled, shaking his hand.
“Thank you for having us, Damien. This is my wife, Lucy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucy. And this is my new bride, Willa.”
“My, you certainly are beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Willa hugged him and Lucy. “It’s nice to meet you both. Damien has told me so much about you.”
“Dinner is ready. Shall we?” I gestured.
We sat around the dining table as Connie served us. I promised her a nice bonus in her next check if she stuck around until after dinner. I knew she would have done it even if I hadn’t offered the bonus.
“So, how long have you two been together?” Theodore asked.
“Three—”
“Two—” I stopped and looked at Willa. “My God. You’re right. It has been three years already.” I smiled. “I lose track of time so fast because every day I see her, it feels like I’m meeting her for the first time. Doesn’t it, sweetheart?” I took hold of her hand and brought it to my lips.
“Yes, it certainly does. I feel like we just met a week ago.” She smiled.
“That warms my heart,” Theodore said, placing his hand on his chest.
“How did you two meet? I love cute meet stories,” Lucy said.
“I know you love to tell this story, sweetheart, so you go ahead,” I said.
“Thank you, Damien. Well,” she picked up her wine glass. “We met three years ago in Las Vegas. I was standing by the pool at the hotel when three boys ran by, and one of them accidentally knocked me into the pool. Damien saw the whole thing, rushed over, and helped me out. We got to talking, and it was love at first sight.” A smile crossed her lips.
“Ugh,” Lucy said, resting her hand over her heart. “That is so romantic. Is that why you wanted to get married in Las Vegas?”
“Yes! That’s the exact reason. Vegas will always hold a special place in my heart. After all, it’s the place where I met my handsome husband, who completely changed my life.”
“Oh, stop, sweetheart. You completely changed my life.” I felt we were taking this a little too far.
Lucy’s phone rang. Glancing at it, she stood from her chair. “Please excuse me for a moment. This is my daughter calling.” She stepped out of the dining room, and Theodore shook his head.
“I hope everything is okay,” I said.
“I wish it were. My daughter is going through a breakup, and she’s not handling it very well.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry. How old is she?” Willa asked.
“She just turned twenty-nine. She moved out of his place and back into ours. Is she okay?” he asked Lucy when she returned to the table.
“Not really. I told her we’d talk when we get home.” She sighed.
“Your husband told us about the breakup, and I have something that could help her feel better. Give me your address, and I’ll send it tomorrow,” Willa said, grabbing her phone.
I furrowed my brows. What the hell was she doing?
“That is too kind of you, Willa.” Lucy reached over and placed her hand on Willa’s. “But all she needs is time.”
“Yes, I agree. But she also needs a little pick-me-up, and I can help with that. Address, please.” She held her phone in her hand.
Lucy rattled off their address as Willa typed away at her phone.
“So, how long until little Blackwoods are running around this place?” Theodore asked, smiling.
“Uh—”
Willa reached over and grabbed my hand.
“We’ve actually already started trying.” A bright grin crossed her face. “Fingers crossed for next month.” She held up both hands with her fingers crossed. I could see Uncle Kroy staring at me from the corner of my eye.
“How many children are you planning on having?” Uncle Kroy asked.
“Four.” Willa smiled, and my stomach clenched. “I’ve always wanted a big family.”
“Four?” Theodore asked. “I think four is perfect. We stopped at four and had no intentions of having any more. Then Michael came along and surprised us.”
From across the table, I could see that Lucy was upset. Willa also noticed it because she abruptly exited her seat, walked over to Lucy, and wrapped her arms around her.
“Aw, you need a hug.”
“Thank you, Willa. It’s hard to see your child go through a breakup.”
“I can only imagine. She’ll be on the mend soon. I promise.”
I glanced at Uncle Kroy, who rolled his eyes and shook his head. Willa was a little too much sunshine for him, and I loved it.