Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Daphne
I’m leaving the aquarium as my phone rings. My parents will be flying in tomorrow, and I’m nervous about introducing them to Darrell, but it’s time.
“Hello,” I answer as soon as it connects to the Bluetooth in my Jeep.
“Hello. Is this Daphne Placer?”
“It is.”
“This is Sapphire with your doggy daycare. A gentleman came in trying to pick up your dogs. He said he was your boyfriend, but we didn’t have him on file, so we wouldn’t release them. And he’s not the man who’s been coming in with you lately. He did leave you a bouquet of flowers.”
“I’m on my way now.”
I dial Darrell, hoping he’s not in a meeting. When Jethro answers, I know I’m not that lucky.
“Hello, Daphne. Can I help you?”
“Someone just tried to pick up my doggies, claiming they were my boyfriend. I know it wasn’t Darrell because they left me flowers.”
“Let me get him. Wait for a call back. Your detail should be notified.”
“My detail?” I figured he had security on me, but I didn’t know I had my own detail.
I take off out of the parking lot, heading for the daycare. Before I walk in the door, Jada is standing beside me. I remember her from the gala. Her dark hair is pulled into a braid down her back. Today she’s dressed in a black suit.
“Ms. Placer, remember I’m Jada, your personal bodyguard. Jethro called me. May I come in with you?”
I like that she asked. “Yes.”
We enter the facility, and sitting on the counter is an elaborate bouquet of lilies. I’m glad it’s still in its bag.
“Don’t open it. I’m severally allergic to them.”
“So is one of our techs. That’s why we didn’t remove the plastic covering,” the attendant says.
“I’ll take them outside to search them, then I’ll be right back. Did the man leave?” Jada asks the woman before she takes the arrangement in her hands.
“He did. He wasn’t happy and went out to his van. He came back in with these after we told him we wouldn’t release the dogs. He told us they weren’t children, and that it shouldn’t be so hard to get a couple of mutts. He seemed very put out.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“I’m glad I stuck with my gut, then. Want me to get them for you?”
“Yes, please.”
She leaves, and I stand there feeling frustrated my stalker is still out there, coming after me. I thought he’d given up. I hadn’t heard from him in a month.
As soon as she returns with Dori and Buttercup, I kneel down and love on them, worried over how close I was to losing them. I’m so glad I went with this daycare. It might cost me a lot of money, but they saved my babies.
“There was a note. I sent images of it to Titan. Mr. Boseman wants you and the dogs to come to the office,” Jada says when she walks back in.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I’ll just head home and take care of them.”
“Ms. Placer, he wants to check you and them over. It will settle his nerves.” Jada pleads with me.
I do want to see him. I’m scared.
I nod, and she helps me get the girls outside and loaded into the back of my car. We head downtown toward Darrell’s office. I park across the street along the curb. Jada rides with another man, and they pull in directly behind me.
“We’ll take your car and have it parked in the underground parking garage,” Jada says as she signals to someone walking out of the building.
I look up at the high-rise and can’t believe Darrell runs a business that needs a building this big.
It’s the first time the empire he runs is right in front of me.
He really is a big deal, like my uncle and others have pointed out.
In this moment, I feel like I’m in over my head.
But I love him and won’t run from him again. I promised.
We unload the dogs on their leashes, and Jada and I walk across the street to the entrance. The glass doors open into a large marble foyer with Boseman Unlimited and its logo set into the floor. It’s awe-inspiring to see the subtle design choices that aren’t over the top but still impressive.
The guards at the desk nod at us as Jada guides me into a private elevator. I’m nervous being here and feel uncomfortable. The man I’m in love with controls all this.
Taking a moment, I collect myself and look at my reflection in the mirrored doors.
I’m dressed in a pair of designer cargo pants, my favorite Doc Marten boots, and a black cami.
I’m not the image of a billionaire’s girlfriend.
I’m just an everyday girl. Yeah, I have my own money, but I’ve never flaunted it.
Darrell doesn’t excessively flaunt his wealth either.
The doors slide open, and every moment of indecision fades away when I see him standing there in his suit. He reaches for me, and I’m instantly in his arms.
“We’ll protect them, baby. They won’t be in danger any longer.”
I start to cry as I’m finally hit with the emotions.
Darrell lifts me up into his arms, and Jada takes the leashes as he carries me to a room. I hear the door close, then we’re alone, sitting in his office.
“Baby, don’t cry. It tears me up to see you like this.”
“I thought he was gone. He hasn’t sent anything else. I didn’t know he’d go after my babies.” I sob against his neck. When his body tightens, I pull back and look into his eyes. “He didn’t stop, did he? You were hiding it from me.” It’s not a question. I already know the answer.
“Daphne, I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect you. You know that.”
“I do. Ugh.” I drop my forehead into the crook of his neck. I feel safe here.
I take a deep breath as I calm myself. Pulling back, I hold his face in my hands and look him in the eyes again.
“You need to keep me in the loop. You can’t just take over everything in my life. Got it?”
He starts to argue, but I hold a finger over his lips.
“I need to know for my own protection. Besides, we’re partners in this. You can’t go roughshod over my life and take control. That’s not what a relationship is, Dare.”
I lean in and remove my finger to kiss his lips. He deepens the kiss and shifts around. Before I know it, I’m sitting on the sofa and he’s kneeling in front of me.
“Baby, we are a partnership. That’s why we’re getting married.” He pops open a box, and I see a large pink diamond with several other diamonds surrounding it.
“Darrell?” My hands go to my mouth. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s not a question. It’s a statement, baby.” Darrell pulls my hand from my face and slides the ring onto my finger.
I just stare at it. It might be huge, but it’s beautiful. He knows pink is my favorite color.
“It’s too soon,” I argue, but he leans into me and kisses me long and deep.
A knock at the door has him pulling away. Darrell stands and helps me to my feet as he says, “Enter.”
Jada walks in with my dogs, who rush to my side. Another woman follows behind her. This one is older and has a motherly air about her.
“Daphne, this is Mrs. Butters. She’s going to be watching the dogs for the weekend at my house. I’ve hired her in the past for housekeeping at times, but I thought she would be perfect to watch over the girls.”
“Weekend?”
“Yeah, baby. We need to be at the airport soon. We’re going away for the weekend. But we have time to show you around the office.”
“I didn’t pack. And my parents will be here on Monday.”
“It’s okay. Everything has been taken care of.”
“Okay.”
I guess I better get used to being with a man who can afford to travel whenever he wants. But it’s one of the things I’m going to have to talk to him about. I’m not a spur-of-the-moment girl. I think Delphi got all those genes, not me.
I shake Mrs. Butters’s hand, and she proceeds to “ooh” and “ahh” over my babies before taking them and heading out.
Darrell then shows me off. He makes sure every man we go near sees my ring.
He introduces me to several board members, who all seem pleased to meet me.
I don’t notice any female assistants I would need to worry about, but Darrell has never been like that.
He’s been open and honest with me so far, except for hiding the fact my stalker was still sending me gifts.
By the time we get to the airport, I’m on pins and needles, dying to know where we’re heading. He won’t tell me. He keeps saying it’s a surprise.
Darrell
After we take off, I lead Daphne straight to the suite at the back of the jet. I need her naked with just my ring on her finger. Pushing her through the door, I turn her around and take her lips in a deep kiss.
“Baby, I need you.”
She giggles. “I’ve never joined the Mile High Club.”
“Oh, baby, we’re going to do so much more than that.”
As she strips, I’m out of my suit in record time. She drops to her knees in front of me, and I groan.
“I want your mouth, but I’m not going to last. You’re almost mine, and I just want to celebrate that.”
“You’re going to have to wait until my parents come home from Egypt. Then, knowing my mom, she’ll want to plan everything. So, we’re looking at a year, at least.”
“I’m a determined man. When I want something, I usually get it.”
My hand glides along her cheek as she licks up the length of my cock.
I moan as she slides me into her hot mouth.
My toes curl into the rug as she takes me to the back of her throat.
She’s a natural at this. I’m so glad she’s only ever done it to me.
I love that I get to corrupt her and teach her exactly what I like.
Daphne hollows out her cheeks as she continues to work over my cock. I can’t take it any longer. Reaching down, I grip her gently under the arms and pull her off.
“I was enjoying myself,” she whines, but I’m a one-track man right now.
I push her down onto the bed and spread her legs wide.
Then I slide through her dewy lips before impaling her on my cock.
She grips my pecs, then wraps her arms around me, pulling me down on top of her.
I make love to her in deep pulsing pumps, needing her to take as much of my seed inside her body so I can lock her to me further.
Reaching between us, I mercilessly tweak her clit until she’s screaming and crying.
Then I tilt her hips and start plowing into her in deeper thrusts, feeling the head of my cock against her cervix.
As soon as I pop inside it, we both groan and I bathe her with my seed.
I roll us, keeping my cock deep inside her and her splayed over my chest.
I make love to her a couple more times before we get ready to land. I pull out the dress Nelly picked out for her to wear tonight. She doesn’t know, but I have a complete wardrobe for the rest of the week from Nelly. Daphne only has to pick out the most important dress.
We’re seated on the sofa with my arm around her. She gazes out the window and guesses where we are.
“Just because we’re in Vegas doesn’t mean I’m marrying you right away. I want my family with me when we get married.”
“Is that all you need?”
“Well, that and a dress,” she responds as she cuddles into me.
I can’t hold in the smirk as we land. Everything is going perfectly. She will be mine and married to me tomorrow evening.
The limo is waiting on the tarmac and takes us to the hotel on the Strip. As soon as we pull up, an executive hostess is there to greet us.
“Hello, Mr. Boseman and Ms. Placer. Welcome to the Lucky Dice Hotel and Casino. I’ll be here to assist you all weekend.
My name is Penny. Everything has been arranged for you in our small ballroom.
I’ve also placed you in an exclusive suite.
I’ve texted you my number if you need anything further.
I have everything arranged for tomorrow morning. ”
She doesn’t give too much away, but it’s enough that Daphne is staring at her before she looks to me.
Penny leads us to the small ballroom and steps back as I look at my girl before I open the doors.
“Remember what you said to me on the plane.”
Daphne shakes her head. “Meaning what?”
“Family and a dress,” I say as I open the door.
“Surprise,” everyone shouts.
Daphne’s hand with my ring on it goes over her mouth as she takes in everyone.
“Dare?” Her eyes are wide and tears are forming.
I guide her into the room as her parents rush to her side. They pull her into their arms. Then her sister does the same. Lydia makes her way to me, with Cronus following behind her. Krystal stands off to the side.
“She had no clue?”
“Nope. How are you, munchie?” I pull her into my arms and hold her for the first time in so long.
She’s lost weight. I hate that this isn’t my vibrant sister. Her tattoos are covered. She’s dressed in conservative clothing. Her hair is all one shade and pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. I miss my sister and can’t wait until she realizes what Colton has done to her.
“I’m good. Thank you for getting a hold of Colton so we could be part of this. I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world.”
The kids grab onto my legs and hug me. They’re not like normal children running and jumping around. They act like perfect little miniatures of their mother.
Micah’s hair is perfectly coiffed and cut into a high and tight. Michelle, his twin, has her long hair in a braid down her back. Both are dressed in stiff school uniforms.
I lift each of them into my arms for a hug while keeping a close eye on my fiancée. She’s talking with her parents, and I overhear questions that I should be answering too. Gathering up my family, I move toward my girl.
“This is my sister, Lydia, and my nephew and niece, Micah and Michelle,” I say, introducing them to Daphne.
“I finally get to meet you,” Daphne says, hugging all three of them.
My sister and the kids start to loosen up a bit. She nods to Cronus and smiles at him.
“We met them already,” Delphi says.
“You are twins too,” Michelle says.
“Yep. I told you that.”
“Except you look so alike. How do people tell you apart?” Micah asks.
“Believe me, kiddo, when they were little, I was worried I’d mix them up all the time.
I thought I’d have to mark their feet with a permanent marker just to tell them apart.
” Daphne’s dad chuckles. “I’m Max.” He holds his hand out to me.
“Pleasure to finally meet you in person.” He thumps me on the arm. “You did good.”
He glances around as everyone talks and laughs. Daphne’s dad is tall and slim, with a full beard and brown hair.
“I’m Iris,” her mother says, and I instantly know where her daughters get their beauty from. She’s blond like them but older, with only a few wrinkles. She pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you for including us.”
“She’d never agree without you all here.”
“That’s my girl,” her father says with a chuckle. “Delphi said you wanted to talk to us after dinner. I assume you have a prenup you want our daughter to sign.”
“We’ll talk later, after my sister takes the kids to bed.”