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Someone who looks like him with his job and social standing should fear absolutely nothing.
But then why does it comfort me to know that he’s as uncomfortable as I am?
I somehow manage to gather enough courage to wink at him. “Not to worry. I don’t bite.”
This makes his awkward smile grow into a real one, and I think maybe this marriage of convenience won’t be so bad. If nothing else, perhaps I’ll gain a friend. If I’m really lucky, I’ll gain an ally.
“I hope you find your appetite because I made my special French Silk pie.”
His eyes brighten. “You bake?”
I nod. “I do. I’m rather fond of cooking and baking.”
My father butts in ruining the moment. “Yes, I’m sure my daughter will please you with a clean home and a full belly.” Because that’s obviously all I’m good for in his eyes, even though my mother burns water and a cleaning crew comes in twice a week to clean our house.
I grit my teeth and bow to everyone at the table as I back from the dining room. At the last minute, I catch Lee’s eyes, and he offers his own little cheeky wink. I’m not sure what it means, but I hope it means that he’s only indulging my father. Perhaps wishful thinking on my part.
A girl can wish can’t she? Especially as the rest of my life has totally hit the fan.
My mother is waiting for me in the kitchen, her arms across her chest as she taps her foot impatiently. “I raised you to behave better than this. You’re being very rude. To your future in-laws, no less.” She steps close, even taking the plates out of my hands so we’re practically chest to chest. For good measure, she jabs a pointy nailed finger into my breast bone. “If you think that you can sabotage this arrangement, think again. The contract between our families has been signed.”
I cringe as I recall the paperwork I went over yesterday. In exchange for a giant chunk of change, I’m to marry in two weeks and give birth within three years. If the contact is broken, my mother loses two of her three restaurants.
I had already felt trapped in this life, this marriage, but now there’s red tape binding me tighter and tighter. And I don't like bondage unless it’s at the hands of my beautiful Domme.
But she’s no longer mine.
Is she?
Not that she ever was. I knew she could be nothing more than a dream, a fantasy that came to life for a short while.
In the end, I only managed to hurt myself while destroying the most important person in my life. I’m ashamed of what I did to Estrella. I doubt she’ll ever forgive me, and she shouldn’t. I deserve every ounce of her hatred and then some.
So, if I have to marry a stranger and have his baby, it’s only the penance I deserve.
I swallow my pride, practically choking on it before I grit out. “I’m sorry, mommy, I’ll do better.”
“You bet your ass you will.”
The rest of the night is spent kissing ass and making promises that make me hate myself more.
Chapter Thirty Two
? Estrella ?
“You okay, Cap?”
I don’t dare look up from the stack of paperwork trying desperately to hold my attention.
“Fine,” I grumble.
“Caleb and I were gonna grab a drink at the Outpost. Care to join us?”
I shake my head absently. “No thanks. You guys go ahead.”
I’ve avoided my Abuela’s bar mostly because my family is too observant and nosy. I’ve also avoided my best friend for the same reasons. He’ll be sure to weasel every little detail out of me as to why…
Jesus Christ!
