Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Daphne
It’s Friday, and I’m relaxing in my apartment before I have to leave for the salon. I took both dresses out of their bags just in case, but I decide to take my sister’s advice and wear the gift she sent me. She’ll be here tomorrow, and I’ll pay her back for them. Well, for the shoes at least.
I’m sitting in my large chair with the girls cuddled up next to me while I read one of my dark alpha books.
I can’t help but picture Dare as the hero as I read.
Ever since his confession on Monday, I’ve been turned on.
I like that he wants me to depend on him for everything.
As an independent woman, I know I shouldn’t, but I like that he wants to.
In the book I’m reading, the hero is completely in control of the heroine. He not only buys her clothes and tells her what to wear, but he took her off her birth control so she would get pregnant.
I wonder if Dare wants kids. We’ve talked about so much, but not that.
He’s come over a few times for dinner this week. He only kisses me gently on the lips, not pushing for more like he did that first night. I’m beside myself with need. I want him to take control so I don’t have to worry if I’m the only one turned on.
Oh, I know he sports an erection a lot of times that he’s with me, but don’t most men get hard around women?
I need to talk to my sister. I text her and ask her to give me a call. All my life, when I didn’t understand something, she’s been there for me to question, especially about human behavior. I’ve always felt more comfortable around animals than people.
My phone rings.
“Hey, Daphy. What’s up?”
“Um… Do men get erections for all women or just ones they desire?” I rip off the Band-Aid and get straight to the point.
According to my romance books, it can be either or. But I need to know if Darrell is into me as much as I’m into him.
“Wow! That was forward of you.” She teases me, and I can’t help the blush warming my cheeks. I’m embarrassed I don’t know the answer to that question. “Honestly, it depends. They don’t get hard for just any woman. If he’s sporting a woody around you, he desires you.”
“So that means he likes me?”
“Well, yeah. Are we talking about Darrell?”
“Yes. He only kisses me, and I feel it, but he isn’t pushing for more. He said I’m not ready for what that means.”
“Those were his exact words?” She pauses, and I hear the hesitancy in her voice.
“Yeah.”
“Anything else?”
I haven’t told her yet about how much control I want to give up. She wouldn’t understand.
“Come on. You can talk to me about cocks, but you can’t tell me other things.” She chuckles, then her voice changes. “Hey, I wasn’t talking to you, asshole. Mind your own business.” She’s angry now, and I realize she’s not somewhere where we can have a private conversation.
“Oh shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were at work.”
“I’m not. I mean, I am, but not exactly. I’m at the courthouse. There’s this jerk I went to law school with who’s on opposing counsel, and he’s standing here listening in on our convo.”
“You’re the one talking about cocks.” A deep voice comes through the line. “Goddess, you shouldn’t talk about any cock but mine.”
“Ugh, as if. You had your chance and turned me down, so fuck off.”
I hear her heels clicking as she walks away.
“Who was that?”
“Remember that jerk, Kit, who asked me out, then stood me up a couple of years ago?”
I remember this. It was traumatic for her because she really liked him. She complained about him for weeks afterward. Since then, she’s called him “Mr. No-Show.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that fucker showed up on this case yesterday as a legal consultant for the jerk we’re against. Meanwhile, he’s already running his own cases.
Ugh. I hate this old boys’ club where a swinging dick gives you a pass to bigger cases.
I’ve been a junior attorney for two years, and I’m sick of it.
I’m always third chair or running out to get coffee for the attorneys actually trying the case. ”
“It’s bullshit that men get opportunities we don’t.”
Our parents always feared this about Delphi, her need to achieve and prove herself.
She pushed herself to graduate at the top of her class.
That was another thing about this Kit guy.
She beat him more than once, knocking him into second place while she took the top spot.
But he still got opportunities she didn’t.
Firms chased him with huge offers while she only got a couple.
“Okay, back to what we were talking about. Tell me, Daphy. What else has he said?”
“He wants to give me everything. He wants to dress me and make decisions for me. He’s always telling me to let him worry about things.”
“Things being what?”
“We had a situation with the aquarium board and a conflict of interest, but he took care of it. The problem is he purchased my ticket to the gala, and I know they’re going for like a thousand dollars a plate. I have the money to pay him back, but it still bothers me.”
She sighs. “I’ll be there tomorrow, and I’ll give you my opinion then. I think I know what’s going on, but I want to see him for myself.”
My doorbell rings, and I walk over to look through the peephole. A couple of women are standing there.
“Delly, there are people at the door. I don’t recognize them.”
“Keep me on the phone. I’m heading back to the courtroom, but I won’t hang up until you tell me you’re okay. Paparazzi could have gotten into the building. You need security, and a concierge who doesn’t let anyone up without calling you first.”
I open the door a crack. “Can I help you?”
“We’re here to do your hair and makeup for the gala tonight,” one of them says.
“Um, I was supposed to come to your salon.”
“We were told to come here instead.”
“Give me a moment.”
I push the door closed and check with my sister.
“Delly, they said you told them to come here. The dress and shoes were too much, but this is over the top.”
“Dress and shoes? What are you talking about?”
“The dress and heels you wanted me to get from the boutique. You bought them and had them delivered.”
“That wasn’t me.”
“What? If you didn’t buy them—”I know who did. “He said he’d dress me. OMG, it’s Dare.”
She starts laughing. “If he’s willing to spend money on you, let him.” She pauses for a moment. “I told you to leave me alone, Kit.”
“I heard you say security. Are you in trouble? I’ll help you.” I hear that same male voice from earlier.
“Back the fuck off me, Garrett. I’m fine without your help. I’m talking to my sister.”
“Delphi, I told you I needed to explain,” he says.
“Nope, you’re done. Goodbye.” Then her voice is back to me. “Sis, I’ll talk to you later. Maybe you should marry that guy. He sounds perfect for you. You’ve always wanted someone to take control for you.”
“How did you know that?”
“I’m your twin, of course I know. Now go get your hair and makeup done, then send me pictures.”
“Okay.”
I hang up with her and open the door.
Hours later, after lots of pampering, I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror.
They put my hair into a messy fishtail braid over one shoulder, leaving my back open to show the strap and my tattoo.
My arm tattoos are completely exposed. I feel nearly naked in the style of the dress and the butter-soft fabric.
It’s velvet that should feel heavy but doesn’t.
I grab my clutch, ready to head out, when my cell phone rings.
I answer it.
“Hello, Ms. Placer. I’m your driver for the evening. I’m waiting outside for you.”
“I didn’t order a driver.”
“Mr. Boseman did. I’ve been instructed to tell you the Sunshine Coast is beautiful to confirm I’m legit.”
I like that Darrell thought of everything, including that I wouldn’t get into a car with a stranger.
Not many know my Sunshine Coast story, so I know it’s him.
“I’ll be right there.”
I lock up and head down to the waiting limo.
The driver is standing at the rear passenger door, and a woman with him is dressed in a tailored black tuxedo.
Her dark hair is pulled back into a bun, and she gives me a small chin nod.
I smile at her, not sure who she is, but when I slide into the back seat, I expect her to follow.
Instead, she gets into the front passenger seat. The driver climbs in, and we take off.
City lights blur past the tinted windows while I try not to worry about the night ahead.
We pull up to the historic Read House, and I see the red carpet leading into the event. I hate that I’m going to have to do this.
“You’ll be okay. I’ll keep an eye on you,” the woman says from the front seat.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Jada. I was hired to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection.”
“I get that. Let’s just be friends, and I’ll hang around. Sound good?”
“Fine. For now. Until I talk to Darrell.”
“Mr. Boseman will be waiting inside for you.”
The driver opens my door and offers his hand to help me out. Flashbulbs explode around me. My pulse races, and sweat coats my palms as I step onto the carpet.
Someone yells my name, and I turn in their direction. Confused, I just stare at them. How do strangers know my name?
“Smile, little girl. I got you,” a soft, deep voice says from behind me, and I do as instructed.
Dare wraps a hand around my waist and holds me against his side. He gives me the strength I need. I’m so glad I don’t have to do this alone.
By the time we make it inside the venue, I’m a little calmer.
“Thank you.” I turn, finally looking at him once we’re alone in the elevator.
Dare is in a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a stark white dress shirt. He looks sexy as hell and reminds me of James Bond.
“Holy shit.”
“What, baby?” He smiles, and I realize I said that out loud.
“You look like James Bond. Well, better than him. Very nice.” I try to play it off, but his smile widens.