Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Michael
Everyone believed we were a couple at Britney’s parents’ party although her mother held her tongue.
And it wasn’t just because I loved Britney.
I’d not yet done anything to prove my obsession, that I was the one for her.
Right then, I was showing her we worked together—much better than I’d expected.
However, as the party wound down, we found ourselves back in her small bedroom. We filled half the room when we were standing up.
She took my hand and stared at me, clearly not knowing what to say.
So I kissed her knuckles and said, “So I promise you we will stay in a hotel I am part owner of in London.”
She took a deep breath and said, “My friends texted they’re coming.”
At home, I figured I would have the best chance to charm her to the point that she would gush about me with her friends.
“I’ll ensure everyone has a suite for themselves,” I said. “I’m not sure where to sleep tonight, though, as there is no couch.”
She rubbed her neck and turned toward the door. “We can tell my mother goodbye and then make a beeline to the front door.”
Probably true. I pressed my hand to my heart. “I don’t want to offend your father.”
She waved for me to follow as she said, “I think it’s better we leave fast while everyone’s on their good behavior.”
One day, I would need to be more like her because that was better than hiding.
“You’re the boss when it comes your family,” I said.
She winked as we opened the door to make our escape. “You like it when I boss you around.”
I tugged her arm and whispered in the small hallway, “Only in bed, darling, but we’re not doing that for the time being.”
She stared at me. “Just go along with what I say.”
Britney was fascinating. She held my hand, and we walked in front of the television her father and mother were watching together.
When her father turned down the game, Britney said, “Mom, Dad, it’s been fun, but Michael and I had a change of plans, and we’re going to fly back to New York.”
Her mother stood. “You’re kidding. Is his money getting your hand itchy to spend recklessly?”
Britney winced. Everything she wore—minus the ring—she had worked for, and she took pride in that. She held her stomach and smiled. “Well, you reminded me why I never came home.”
Betty stood in front of Britney and said, “I’ll want to meet my grandchild.”
I pressed a hand to my heart. “That’s entirely up to Britney.”
Her mother then curtsied at me and said, “Thank you for joining us today.”
Her eyes open wide, Britney asked, “Why are you so nice to him and everyone else except me?”
Her mother had no answer, and her parents let us leave without another word. We found our way back to the limo, which was waiting for us.
As we closed the car doors, she asked me, “Are yours that bad, or are you like me, building something up in your head and realizing the past wasn’t as bad as all that?”
“It wasn’t?”
“My sister and father shouldn’t be lumped in with my mother, so the trip reminded me there was some good too.”
Strong as always. Having met Britney’s family, I saw her in a different light. She was graceful in a way that was natural.
As we sped along, I stared into her eyes. “I promise it’s bad.”
She cupped my face and said, “Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged and smiled. “You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”
After we moved onto my plane and once we were in our brown leather seats, she relaxed and said, “Thank you for making me come here. I’m glad we mostly fooled them.”
She still thought we were a lie. My heart twisted as I spoke, wishing I’d backed up what I was saying more. “Nothing to fool, really. You are having my baby and wearing my ring, and going back early does give us a bit of time to plan the courtroom wedding.”
In London, I would sweep her away, and after we were done talking, I would show her a life she’d never dreamed possible. I had a plan to keep her out till dawn, dancing if that’s what it took.
When we were in the air, she broke the silence. “It might be nice if a few of my friends might come.”
The more real we were right then, the more she would believe me later.
I brushed against her soft skin and said, “And for you to wear a white dress.”
Her gaze seemed far off even as she stared at me. “You’d want that?”
My lips tingled to taste her again, but for the moment, I nodded and said, “I want this to be as real as possible.”
She cupped my face. “Okay. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go shopping.”
The idea of being inside her again burned me, but I waited for her to let me go, then I said, “And tonight, you can sleep in your own bed.”
When our plane started to descend, she gripped her armrests. “So I was awful in not wanting you to move in at first, and now I want to apologize for that as you’re great to have around and to ask about the condo.”
I’d always assumed her reluctance was because of my silence. I needed to fix that about myself. “The deal should be finished by the wedding.”
Her gaze narrowed. “Deal?”
I nodded. “I offered cash, and no one lives there, so assuming there are no hiccups, I’m hoping we can move in after the wedding.”
She rested on my shoulder for a while, and neither of us said much for the rest of the flight. The quiet was nice. Soon, we landed, and a smile grew on her face.
“And I can show off the new place to the rest of my friends.”
My heart twisted though I knew I was letting my money speak for me. “Sounds perfect.”
When we stopped and stood to head back into Manhattan for the night, I offered my arm. “I’m glad you think my plans are that good.”
As we walked down the stairs to the limo, she brushed against me then stared at my backside. “Well, I knew you had a cute ass the second we met, and even when we aren’t talking much, you have a gentleness about you that is a little addicting.”
My heart beat faster as we climbed inside the limo. “That’s what you think of me as?”
Once we were both settled, she stared at me. “Did I offend you?”
I acted like I had a speech impediment, but it wasn’t that bad—I was just feeling some nerves. When we headed home, I said, “No woman wants gentle.”
She laughed and yawned. “Oh, you’d be surprised. I definitely don’t date alpha jerks and pretty much don’t want anyone like that in my life.”
But the bad boys got the girl—that was a lifelong rule.
When we stopped at her place, I asked, “Because you handle it all on your own?”
Her face crumpled. “Oh goodness. We’re both bringing each other down.”
I took her hand and said, “Or maybe we’re both seeing what we need to do.”
As we headed up to her small one bedroom in the elevator, she asked, “What’s that?”
I didn’t blink. “Maybe one day, you’ll trust me to make a decision and trust yourself to go along with it.”
When we stepped off, she smiled at me. “Maybe after the wedding, darling.”
My heart lifted. She was beautiful.
“You liked the hamburger, then,” I said.
She winked and let me inside. “I like everything you cook.”
We took off our shoes, and I stared at her gorgeous body, which was changing daily.
Though I ached for her, she waved and ran off, saying, “Good night.”
And I headed to the guest shower because I needed to cool off.