Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Daphne
Two weeks into dating, he’s attentive and caring, always wanting to spend time with me.
He brings me wildflowers, which are my favorite, whenever he picks me up for a date or I go over to his house.
We still haven’t moved past fooling around, and he very rarely lets me go down on him, but he’s always got his mouth on me.
It confuses me that he doesn’t want to move on.
Then sometimes he acts like two different men. I’ve told him repeatedly how much I love wildflowers, but he has elaborate, over-the-top rose arrangements sent to my work. He also leaves me notes that are almost scary.
I just need to get some perspective. So I told him I was busy this weekend and didn’t tell him what I was doing, but I don’t want Darrell to think I’m being too clingy. I also need to figure out how to talk to him about my feelings and confusion.
I pull up to the private airstrip and park my Jeep.
With my roller bag in hand, I walk into the terminal and check in.
After I got off work last night, I packed everything I’d need for a quick trip to help Delly.
She ended up buying the house Dare’s friend sent him and got early occupancy.
We’re packing this weekend so she can have movers come on Monday and take her things to Chapelville, Tennessee.
“Hey, Daph. How are you doing sweetheart?” Uncle Jarvis walks up to me. “Ready for your trip?”
“Yeah, it’s been some time since I’ve been up to see her. She came down here to visit me.”
“So, what’s this about you dating a billionaire?”
“It’s not like that, and he’s not that.”
“The hell he isn’t. He’s a billionaire, if not more, with a capital B, according to your auntie. She said the tabloids have been speculating he’s going to pop the question.”
I don’t tell him that Dare has proposed several times. I’ve turned him down each time, or just brushed it off. He only asks in the heat of the moment. I feel like it’s too soon.
Uncle Jarvis takes my luggage and pulls the bag behind us as we walk out to the tarmac and climb the stairs.
“Girl, your guy is so rich he has his own plane. He also has a helicopter, and his pilots work directly for him.”
“Stop it. He’s not like that. He runs a business and invests in other businesses.”
He shakes his head. “Daphne, keep being delusional, but he’s super rich. He makes your granny and parents look like middle class instead of the millionaires they are.”
“But he’s not like that at all. He’s down-to-earth and treats me well.”
“Then that’s all that matters, sweetie.”
I sit down in a seat as the co-pilot climbs on board and wait for us to take off. My phone pings in my pocket, and I look at it before flipping it to airplane mode.
Dare
Where are you going, beautiful?
How did he know I was going somewhere? I look out the door that is starting to close and try to see if he’s there.
Me
Are you following me?
Dare
Not me, but I do have someone on you. Now tell me where you’re going right this minute.
Me
I have to go into airplane mode. We’re getting ready to take off. I’ll message when we land. You need to stop following me or having me followed. This is too much. We’ve only been together for a couple of weeks. I need this weekend to think. I need some time to myself.
I send the message, upset that I’m basically telling him I need a break, but I don’t want to take it back. I switch my phone to airplane mode and take a nap during the quick flight to DC.
Darrell
“The fuck you say,” I bellow into the empty office, slamming my hands onto my desk. I stand so fast my chair tips over.
“Jethro, now,” I yell louder.
“What’s the matter? Is Ms. Daphne okay?”
“She won’t be when I get my hands on her. Find out where the jet she just boarded is headed. Get Titan on it. Cancel all my appointments for the rest of the weekend. I’m going to get my woman back.”
I storm out and head downstairs to the car. Totten doesn’t say a word when I climb in.
“To the airport.”
Titan will have the information I need by the time we get there.
We pull up to the very strip Daphne took off from only fifteen minutes ago. A text pops up on my screen as I stride toward my jet.
Titan
Landing at Manassas Regional Airport, according to flight plans
Me
Thank you.
“To Manassas,” I bark at the pilot as I sit down, and the server walks over to me.
“Can I get you anything, Mr. Boseman?”
“No.” I look up as the woman steps back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I’m okay right now.”
“Yes, sir.” She moves back toward the galley.
I wait impatiently for the pilots to arrange the flight plan. During that time, Jethro and I get me set up in an empty condo in the same building as Delphi’s. It’s a penthouse maintained by a property management company whose owner now lives abroad.
I want to be close to my girl, and I want her to be close to help her sister. But she will not be getting any space from me. Needing time away means she’s doubting something. I need to figure out what is giving her question and lock her down as mine completely.
By the time we land, it’s been over an hour since my woman and I last spoke. I’ve worked myself up to a level where I’m so upset my body is vibrating with anger. I’m not angry with Daphne. I’m mad at the situation, but I’m going to get control of her and whatever the issue is.
Over the years, I’ve learned that I can’t stand being out of control. The worst is I hate being ignored. In my heart, I know she didn’t mean for it to come out as her ignoring me, but she said she needed time.
Ever since my parents’ accident, I’ve kept a tight grip on my emotions and controlled every situation I can.
It’s why I have Krystal with my sister and her kids.
It’s why I haven’t been in a relationship since my ex.
It’s the main reason I maintain control over every part of my life.
Now Daphne is pushing against that, and I’m trying to figure out how I can control her and our relationship too.
Jethro arranged a car for Totten to drive while we’re in DC. It’s waiting on the tarmac, and I practically run down the stairs toward it. Totten is close behind me. He moves around to the driver’s side and gets in.
“Sir, I know you are concerned for Ms. Daphne and upset, but you need to let me lead. It’s my job to protect you.”
I sigh deeply and shake my head. “I know, but I need you to understand I can’t control myself right now.”
“Okay,” Totten says.
He takes off, and I sit in the back seat, trying to get control of myself. I don’t want to hurt Daphne, and I don’t want to scare her away. I know I can be over the top at times, and that’s something I’ll work on every day if Daphne doesn’t break me in this moment.
We pull up to the building, and I step out of the car.
Standing on the sidewalk, I look up at the row of windows and take several deep breaths to calm myself.
Titan sent me a message moments ago saying the women are in the condo packing up Delphi’s things, so I won’t have to chase Daphne around town.
I finally head inside, ignoring the doorman’s stare. I know what floor I’m staying on and which unit Daphne is in, so I move past the desk and hit the elevator button to go get my woman.
My long legs eat up the distance to Delphi’s condo as I stride along the carpeted hallway. Lifting my hand, I pause for a second before knocking so I don’t bang on the door.
“Just a moment,” Delphi says, and the door swings open.
“Did you even check the peephole?” I growl and push past her. “Hello, girlfriend. Here is my response to taking a break.” I bite out the words.
“Darrell, what are you doing here?”
“Do I need to call the cops?” Delphi asks.
“No,” I bark as Daphne stands up and I throw her over my shoulder. “She’s perfectly safe with me. She’ll be back in the morning, if I’m able to let her go then.”
“Where are you taking her?”
“Upstairs.” I give her the unit number, and she nods.
“I told her you wouldn’t take this sitting down,” Delphi says as she steps back so I can carry a kicking and screaming Daphne out the door.
I smack her ass cheek. “Stop acting out. If we’re delayed because someone calls the police, I won’t let you orgasm for the rest of the night.”
She harrumphs and digs her elbow into my back as she holds herself up.
“Darrell, this is uncalled for. I just needed some time to sort through my thoughts. I’d already decided you didn’t deserve my confusion. But it’s like I’m dating two different men. You have to admit you’re being a little strange.”
“Strange? Is that what you think of me? I’m getting control of the woman I plan to spend the rest of my life with. I don’t understand what you mean by I’m acting like two different men. I’ve been completely honest with you.”
“I didn’t want to seem like I was being clingy toward you. I didn’t want to ask you to come with me.” She changes the subject.
I keep control of her until we reach the penthouse and the door is closed behind us. I set the alarm so it will alert me if she tries to leave me.
Setting her on her feet, I let her go, and she twists around to check out the condo.
“Let’s back up. What do you mean two different men?”
“Where are we?”
“I rented this place from a company for the weekend. They don’t normally do short-term rentals, but I offered enough money they didn’t question me. Now answer my question.”
“You.” She waves her hand at me. “You take me out, give me wildflowers, are sweet, overbearing, and yet won’t have sex with me.
Then there’s the side of you that sends me red roses with love letters that are intense and dark.
I can’t get control of anything. One minute it’s ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you,’ and the next it’s ‘I’ll bathe in your blood if you ever leave me. ’”