Chapter 23
twenty-three
ROSE
I wake in Dare’s bed again, sunlight softly filtering through the curtains. After we’d had sex, I fell asleep, exhausted from everything, and apparently, he put me where he wants me. I should be mad, I know this, but the ache between my legs and the fact that he’s brought me to his room twice now is almost amusing.
What a tangled web we weave. The two of us are on a collision course, and I’m not sure either of us can stop the inevitable destruction. This thing between us can never be love. It’ll only ever be lust and hate. That’s the way we’re wired.
With a sigh, I get up, wrapping his sheet around my body, ready to search for clothes. But Dare bursts into the room, the door smacking against the wall, probably denting the drywall and making me flinch. Dare, though, doesn’t even blink.
He prowls toward me, low-slung sweats revealing a tantalizing V shape that leads to my new favorite appendage. His approach sends warning signals blaring inside my head, but I lift my chin, refusing to cower.
His gaze wanders over my face, focusing for too long on the bruises my dad left behind. Almost long enough to make me believe he really cares, but then his furious gaze lifts to meet mine.
“Where are you going?” he demands.
I look him over. How are his arms so big?
“To get dressed. You should try it.” Maybe if he was wearing clothes, I’d be able to think straight.
“Who said you could leave?” he asks, stopping in front of me.
Heart pounding at his proximity and the absolute fucking audacity of him thinking he can tell me what to do, I step into his space, my upper lip curling. “Last time I checked, I don’t need your permission.” With tension knotted between my shoulders, I shift to the side and walk around him, but his hand snakes out and grabs my waist, tugging me back. Stumbling with the sheet around my ankle, I fall onto the bed.
My pulse skips. “Hey!” I squeal, sitting on the edge and scowling up at him.
“I’m hungry, Rose.” He yanks the sheet aside and sinks to his knees.
Breath catching, I grasp the sheets, biting my bottom lip as he stares at my pussy like a man starved.
He’s not going to . . .
His palms slide up my calves and settle on my knees, wrenching them apart. Oh my god, he is. My throat goes dry as his hot gaze sears into me. A knowing smirk cuts across his face.
Dammit. Another power play .
“Why don’t you let me ride your face instead?” I ask, leaning toward him. “Or are you scared I’ll suffocate you?”
His hands glide higher until he can stroke both thumbs through my damp slit. “You think I’m afraid of you?”
“You should be,” I warn, though when I arch my hips into his touch, I doubt it has the effect I wanted.
Damn him.
“You think I won’t let you fuck my face?” His pupils are blown wide, and he dips a thumb inside of me while the other caresses my clit. My stomach fluttering, heat shooting from my head to my toes, I buck into his touch.
“I think you’re too proud to let me be in control.”
The dark chuckle tumbling from his throat strokes down my spine, a seductive lure to do whatever he wants. “Fine, princess, let’s see how you take control.” Dare crawls onto the bed, wearing nothing but low-slung joggers, and drops onto his back.
I turn and follow him, shuffling up to where his head is and swinging one leg over his face until my pussy is hovering above it. Grabbing the soft headboard, I smirk down at him. He looks so pretty with his face between my thighs. “Eat up, beasty.”
Dare’s eyes narrow. I sit on his mouth before he can protest, rolling my hips and coating his mouth in my essence. His hands grab my ass. That devilish tongue lashes at me, sending another flutter of pleasure through my belly. Humming in approval, I rock, biting my lip as I shamelessly grind over him. My clit pulses when I slip my hips back and he seals his lips around it, sucking hard enough I gasp and give him more of my weight.
He doesn’t complain.
Each time I rock against his tongue, my core throbs, tingles radiating through my body as the heat of his mouth caresses my skin. My heartbeat is so loud, I swear he can hear it, but it only has him gripping me harder.
I do admire his dedication.
“Look at how handsome you are, husband ,” I tease.
Probably to spite me, Dare lets me face fuck him until shivers race over me and my soft thighs tighten around his face. Until my breath comes in heavy pants, and my nails bite into the fabric covering the headboard. Until I’m so sensitive, my movements are frantic and needy.
He growls and redoubles his efforts, using the grip on my ass to force my cunt over his hot tongue, thrusting it into me, licking and tasting and caressing my walls, tasting every piece of me. What started with me in charge quickly spirals out of control. Dare holds the power, his wicked tongue in command.
I should say something. I shouldn’t give in, but he lifts my hips with one hand and pushes two fingers inside of me, pressing on my G-spot at the same time he assaults my clit. My eyes roll back, euphoria trembling through me, and I forget why I wanted to be in charge. Dare doesn’t stop until I beg for mercy, whimpering his name as my cum drips down his fingers and onto his skin.
Cleaning me with his tongue, savoring every last drop, Dare lifts his eyes. They’re shining in triumph.
Once again, Dare has won.
Trouble is, I’m not even mad.
Eventually, Dare leaves. It is Tuesday, after all. He’ll go to the gym and then work, and I...I’m not sure what to do. Of course, there’s always work to be done when it comes to JD Miller & Co, but that would mean going in and having to talk to my dad again.
My chest clenches at the thought.
Millers know no fear, Rosalynn.
As much as I hate the reason why Dad always used to tell me those words, he’s right. If I let this confrontation scare me off, I have no right to become chair of the board, and I’ve dedicated too many years, too much of my life to the company to walk away now.
Otherwise, what was it all for?
The late nights, the skipped dinners with friends, the hours of worrying. Every time I went to a party and courted a prospective client... If I give up, it was all for nothing.
I finish my second cup of coffee and get dressed, caking makeup on my face. The bruises on my chin are dark and the hardest to hide, but they’re mostly covered. The mark on my cheek is practically invisible under the blush. A simple, black, long-sleeve business dress slides over my skin, and once it’s zipped, the last of my armor is in place.
The car I called is waiting for me at the curb as I leave Dare’s home. The automatic lock whirs behind me as I make my way down the stairs, and I pause, glancing back at the camera above the front door. I step to the left. The camera follows me. Squinting, I flip Dare off.
“Have a good day, sweetheart.”
I scowl at the door, ignoring the chill in the air this morning. “I suppose there’s no point in asking you not to spy on me.”
“Nope,” Dare says, his voice crackling through the speaker.
“Of course not,” I mutter to myself, turning and heading to the car. The driver opens the back door for me, and I greet him before taking my seat. My phone buzzes and I tug it out.
Cassia
Question. Would it be too much to ask for you to put me into contact with your PI? I need help.
Rose
Not at all. I’ll send you the contact information. Still no luck?
It’s all dead ends. I’m a good hacker, but even I can admit when I need someone with a little more investigative experience.
At least you’re self-aware.
So. How’s married life?
Complicated.
But the sex is probably great, right?
What makes you think I would have sex with Dare?
You’d be crazy not to. That man is fine.
Jealousy curdles my blood.
That’s my husband you’re talking about.
Great. Now I sound like Dare.
Ooohhh. Are you jealous?
Hardly.
So, you wouldn’t mind if I paid him a little visit? I heard his cock is big, and I’m so horny...
My bestie knows what she’s doing, and my fingers fly across the screen to respond.
Don’t even think about it.
Stop talking about his cock.
HA! I knew it. You are jealous.
Bragging isn’t a good look.
Please, I’m beautiful and you know it.
So, it is big?
It’s adequate.
I’m not ready to admit how much I’ve come to like Dare’s cock.
Good thing that’s not the reason you married him. How goes plan “Ruin Dare’s Life?”
I’m working on it.
Lies. I’ve been too busy letting Dare own my body. That changes today. I have to remember the plot.
Sighing, I glance out the window, watching the buildings pass. The sidewalk is crawling with pedestrians on their way to work. Everyone is in a rush. Wrapped up in their own stories. My dad can be a jerk, but all things considered, what happened yesterday isn’t a big deal. My life could be way worse .
Like the lives of those families that Dare’s company destroys on a daily basis. Like those people who lose everything because they can’t keep up with their loan payments and end up going bankrupt.
You got this. If anyone can take him down, it’s you. Let’s hang out soon?
Deal.
Exhaling, I shake my head and put my phone in my purse. Cassia has a lot of confidence in me. If only she knew that, so far, all I’ve done is let Dare see how easy I am to manipulate. He knows too many of my weaknesses.
The driver slows outside of the JD Miller & Co building. Clouds loom around the top levels, casting an ominous visage that has my breath freezing in my lungs. Or maybe that’s the memory of my dad’s hand cracking against my skin.
Don’t show your weakness, Rosalynn.
I shove everything to the back of my mind, taking a fortifying breath before allowing the driver to take my hand and help me out of the car. My heart slams against my rib cage, pulse racing. I keep my breathing even and fight to hold my composure.
Dad might not even be there. Wishful thinking, but I can’t linger out here like a scared little kitten when he raised me to be a lion. Head held high, I strut into the building like it’s any other day, nodding at a few familiar faces. Irene is out, and I frown at the man who stands in her place, guarding the elevator like someone is going to try and rush past him.
“Good morning,” I tell him with a soft smile .
“Morning,” he says quickly, pressing the button and pressing his lips together. He averts his gaze.
Just as well.
Anxiety has my heart a fluttering, frantic mess, and my hands shake at my sides. I step into the elevator as soon as it arrives, nodding at the attendant and pursing my lips as I try to calm down.
Dad has probably cooled off by now. I doubt he’ll be as furious as he was yesterday. I arrive at the executive floor sooner than I’d like and stride out of the elevator, faking confidence I don’t feel. Ryan, the receptionist, watches me carefully, his eyes tracking over my face, as if searching for evidence of what happened yesterday. When I narrow my eyes at him, he quickly finds something to do.
Since it’s later in the day, the morning rush to get coffees and breakfast to the various executive suites has settled, saving me from any awkward encounters. Dad’s door is closed.
Breathing out, I rush by it and slip into my office, leaving the door slightly ajar. A giant bouquet sits in the middle of my desk. Peach roses. My chest fractures. Mom’s favorite flower. I take the little card from the middle of the blooms and read it.
Rosalynn, my sweetest rose, I’m sorry for losing my temper.
“Those were your mom’s favorite.” Dad’s voice startles me, and I clutch the card to my chest, ignoring the way my blood sours, and turn around. He’s hesitating in the doorway. Waiting for permission to enter.
I set the card back in the holder. “I know.” He only talks about Mom when he’s trying to win me over. Lifting my chin, I stare him down, refusing to be the first to buckle.
Dad searches my face, hands in his pockets, and a little smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Not going to make it easy on me, are you?” There’s so much pride in his words. Like I’ve pleased him by being upset with how he hurt me.
“Your reaction was...” I trail off, but clear my throat and push through, “unacceptable.”
Dad nods and steps into the office, closing the door.
My heart skips.
He takes a step, and I back into the desk, making him pause. Remorse pours over his features. “I shouldn’t have hit you, Rosalynn. I know that. I’m so sorry. Darian is a monster and you’re my little girl, and I lost control at the thought of him hurting you.”
The ache of distrust is thick in my throat. “And smacking me did what?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Dad struggles to answer. It’s not often Joseph Miller is at a loss for words. “There’s no excuse for what I did. I can only tell you how sorry I am.”
“You’ve said that before.” I look out my window, which overlooks the city. When I was in junior high, he screamed at me for not getting straight As and didn’t stop until I was on the ground, sobbing and begging for forgiveness. The next day, he apologized for raising his voice but told me I had to learn how to not be weak. That was one of many times he taught me how to be strong. “A lot.”
I’ve always considered those moments nothing more than a dad dealing with an unruly teenager, but with the stain of yesterday still hiding under layers of makeup on my face, I’m questioning everything.
His graying eyebrows pinch together. “I thought we were past this.”
Past all the times he’s torn me down, only to offer a flimsy apology? I thought I was okay with it. It made more sense when it was him trying to teach his kid how to be tough when the other rich kids pushed her around or when she wasn’t focusing enough. It’s an entirely different feeling now that I’m an adult.
Dad sighs and scrubs his hand over his face. “I don’t want to fight, Rosalynn.” His voice cracks, and when he glances at me, his eyes are watery. “I regret what I did, and I know I can’t change it, but you’re my daughter. I love you.”
The tears break through my defenses. He never cries. I know the news of my marriage to Dare hit him hard. Clearly, his emotions got the better of him yesterday, and it appears they’re still messing with his head today. Of all the times he’s yelled at me, he’s never hit me. “I don’t want to fight with you, either,” I confess, throat tight. “But you hurt me, Dad.”
“I know, Rosalynn. I’m so sorry.” He hangs his head and presses the palms of his hands into his eyes. “I couldn’t sleep last night, thinking of you with Darian. Please tell me you’re safe.”
“Dare—ian hasn’t touched me.” At least, not in the way he thinks.
Dad nods and glances up at me with bloodshot eyes. “Good. We’ll find a way to get you out of there, Rosalynn. You know it’s not safe with him.”
I blow out a breath. “That’s all I want.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I study my dad, wishing Mom were here. When she died, I was too young to remember much of anything but the way she made me feel. I rub at my chest and clear my throat. “I need to get some work done to ensure Futurum opens on time.”
“Still my Miller girl,” Dad says with an affectionate grin. “I don’t say it enough, but I’m so very proud of you, Rosie.”
The words swell inside my chest. “Dad,” I say, shaking my head. “You don’t have to say those things. I’ve already forgiven you. ”
“I’m not saying it to win you over. I mean it. My daughter is single-handedly opening New York City’s largest art gallery. What father wouldn’t be proud?”
All this time, I thought he hated the idea. The appreciation and pride soothe the sting of yesterday’s incident.
“Thank you.” A watery smile breaks across my face. This gallery is four years in the making. It took two years to wear my dad down and get him to agree to be an official named supporter. It’s not a financial venture, but I really do hope that investing in the creative community will help local artists pursue their passions, even if I can’t pursue mine.
“Well.” Dad glances around. “I’ll leave you to it.” He heads to the door, pausing to glance over his shoulder. “Finish up with Futurum, but don’t forget the promise you made me, okay?”
“I’ll find what we need,” I assure him.
As soon as my office door closes, I sag against the desk, giving myself one moment to feel the conflict warring inside. Everything Dare’s done makes me wonder if he’s not as terrible as I always believed. But, of course, that’s probably his plan. Dare wants me to fall for his act. Who’s to say he isn’t trying to undermine my relationship with my dad? I shake my head, dispelling the thoughts.
Right now, I have to focus to ensure everything with Futurum is set in place.
There’s plenty of time to take Dare down.