Chapter 4 Dark
Dark
The range of emotions swirling around Hael’s face while she sits with Galen and Piper nearly propels me forward. Staying put is difficult, but I remain steady. She has desires I want to fulfill, and as it turns out, they excite me too.
The skull mask I custom-ordered arrived this morning, meaning my plan will be put into motion very soon. The Friday of a long weekend will give us enough time for her to grow used to the fact that she’s mine now.
Piper was correct in her explanations of her suggestions.
The plan for tomorrow is to have breakfast waiting for Hael on the counter with her favorite coffee: an iced caramel macchiato with sweet cream from her preferred coffee house.
As well as a fresh slice of cinnamon loaf and a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a soft buttery biscuit.
Since she has no classes on Fridays, I’ll also have lunch arranged with flowers and a new book I know she’s wanted but hasn’t picked up yet.
And for dinner, her favorite pizza will be delivered with a strawberry milkshake from the joint on The Strip she enjoys.
What she won’t know is that the milkshake will be laced with another sleep aid, so when I arrive to collect her, she won’t fight me.
I’m optimistic that since Galen and Piper have given me their blessing and expressed this to Hael, she won’t fight me too hard. I wouldn’t mind it if she ran, though.
God, chasing her would be such a rush.
I might have to enact that scenario once she’s on the property, where she’ll be kept under lock and key until she begs me to let her stay forever.
I send a message to my house manager, requesting that she have everything ready for tomorrow evening. I then email Leonard a list of names for the Halloween party we’re throwing next weekend. It’ll be a rather exclusive event, including people with like-minded obsessions towards their partners.
Checking the time, I’m reluctant to leave while Hael peppers Galen with questions, but this meeting across town is another prestigious security project that I’d like to land without issue.
As much as it kills me, I must shove my girl to the recesses of my mind while slipping into the back of the limo.
My driver keeps any small talk to himself; the way I like it.
Browsing the details of the hotels—what they are looking for, their system requirements, etc.—I skim their current security details and am confident this contract is in the bag. The only thing left to settle is the price.
Instead of succumbing to boredom during the drive or overworking myself, teasing my sweet pea some more seems appealing.
Me: How was lunch?
Sweet pea: How did you know?
Me: Because I sent it for you.
Sweet pea: You are maddening.
Me: How so?
Sweet pea: You’re a stalker! How in god’s name do I accept this? People get arrested for what you’re doing.
Me: True. I have no intention of causing you any harm, however.
Sweet pea: From what Galen describes, that may be true, but the people around me? He says you just might if someone were to cause me pain.
Me: Also true.
Sweet pea: So how can you say you have no intention of harming me when this could happen! What if I fall in love with you or something and you get taken away to jail? What then?
Ah! Progress.
Me: You’re saying you could love me?
Sweet pea: That’s what you focus on?!
Me: It’s the most important part.
Sweet pea: I can’t talk to you if you aren’t going to be serious.
Me: When it comes to you, I’m always serious.
Sweet pea: I’m shutting my phone off now.
Me: Don’t you fucking dare, Hael. I had planned to leave you alone tonight, but I won’t hesitate to show up and turn your ass so red you won’t sit right for a week.
Sweet pea: Threatening me is uncalled for.
Me: Same.
Sweet pea: How is me shutting my phone off a threat?
Me: It takes away my ability to contact you.
There’s a pause as bubbles pop up and disappear repeatedly. My patience is wearing thin when she finally answers.
Sweet pea: That should be sweet.
Sweet pea: Will you call me tonight?
Sweet pea: Please. This whole ordeal terrifies me.
Me: 9 pm be naked in bed, fairy lights on, soft music playing. We’ll talk.
Sweet pea: Just talk?
Is she flirting with me? I really hope so.
Me: Anything you want. There’s a lotion on your nightstand; put that on before I call. God, I love that scent on you.
Sweet pea: It’s only cucumber melon. Nothing special.
Me: Everything about you is special, sweet pea.
Sweet pea: If you say so…
Me: I do. I have to go now, I’ve got a meeting. We’ll talk tonight and I’d very much like to hear you call me Daddy.
I can imagine her cheeks flaming red as she covers her phone so no one accidentally sees it. My dick is hard just thinking about her voice stuttering out that word.
The limo comes to a stop, and a few seconds later, the door opens. “Thanks, Big Mike.” The man lives up to his name. Big as a brick building, he’s an unstoppable force. Once Hael is living with me, Big Mike will be assigned as her guard. Where she goes without me, he goes with her.
“I’ll be here when you’re finished.”
I give a nod of thanks and head inside the skyscraper to the headquarters of the hotel chain I’m meeting with. Not only do they have some of the most popular non-casino hotels in Vegas, but they’re also scattered across the country.
Signing a contract with them will create a hefty workload, and I’ve never been more grateful for keeping business as my primary focus over the last decade.
Having no personal life has meant building some of the highest-quality security systems in the world, employing the tightest teams for in-person service, and keeping security at the forefront of my mind; thus, giving me a step up against the competition.
All the sacrifices have been worth it, especially now that I’ve found Hael. She’s the prize at the end of a long, grueling workday.
Stepping off the elevator, I’m met with a friendly greeting. “Mr. Ruelle, how nice to see you.” The receptionist smiles flirtatiously. We met once before. I didn’t like her then; I like her even less now. “Here for Mr. Ramsey again?” I nod, and she moves to get up and escort me back.
I hold up a hand, and she stops as I say, “I’ll see myself back. Let him know I’m here.” The last thing I want is for this woman to get any ideas and potentially cause future problems between Hael and me.