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“Princess, are you ready?” I called out as I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my expansive closet, buttoning up my dress shirt.
“Almost,” she hollered back from the master bath. It was New Year’s Eve, and I was taking her to dinner at one of my favorite places. A quaint Italian restaurant that was very exclusive, and you basically had to have connections to get a reservation, especially on special occasions. Fortunately for me, I had enough pull in this city to get what I wanted.
This morning, I’d given Amber my black Amex card and told her to paint the town red and pamper herself for tonight. Buy a new wardrobe, go to the spa, and treat herself like the princess she was. But no waxing. Of course, it took a little coaxing, but she finally complied.
Somehow, she’d convinced me that I couldn’t see her until she was dressed and ready for our date. I unwillingly agreed. Hence the reason she had been in the bathroom for what seemed like hours—it wasn’t that long, but it felt like it—preparing for her surprise reveal.
Shaking my head with a wry smile, I pulled a black tie from my tie rack and hooked it around my neck with the collar up. I quickly looped it around and knotted my tie, pushing it into place. Flipping the collar down, I gave myself a nod of approval. “You’ve got this,” I said quietly, giving myself a pep talk.
I was nervous and hadn’t felt this way in years. Was I rushing things? Making a rash decision? I didn’t care. When you know, you know, and I was too old to play fucking games. I knew what I wanted. Amber. I wanted her to be my wife. There was no wavering or uncertainty in my decision.
I stopped in front of the tailored jacket that I’d left on the lounger by the window. Checking the pocket for the hundredth time, I breathed a sigh of relief when I felt the velvet box.Still there, Aaron. While Amber had been out shopping, I had, too. She wasn’t the only one full of surprises.
Shrugging into my jacket, I glanced behind me toward the closed door. “We need to leave soon if we want to make it in time.”
“Just a sec.”
Clasping my hands behind my back, I paced back and forth as seconds turned into minutes. I wasn’t a patient man, but for my princess, I was trying. Actually, I would do anything for her.
Finally, I heard the creak of the door, and I spun on my heel. I had to steady myself and felt like I needed a defibrillator to shock my heart into action.
Because I’d never seen her look more beautiful.
Hell, beautiful wasn’t even a word that came close to describing her. Ethereal. Otherworldly. She looked like an angel that had been sent from heaven. She wore a platinum-colored silk halter dress that clung to every dip and curve of her body. It fell to mid-calf with a slit that went up to mid-thigh. Her rich hair, the color of dark chocolate, was piled high on her head, and a few loose tendrils framed her face. She wore the jewelry I gave her, and all that was missing was a platinum tiara. Which she deserved because she was my princess… soon to be my queen.
“What do you think?” She did a pirouette with her hands spread wide.
“Words cannot express”—I swallowed thickly—“how beautiful you are.”
She took slow, measured steps toward me, smiling demurely. “Thank you, Aaron.” I was still stunned, and she lifted a manicured hand, straightening my tie. “You are the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.” She popped up on her toes and whispered in my ear. “Daddy.”
I groaned as I felt myself harden. “Don’t say that right now. Especially when we have to leave.” Her words, mixed with this being the first day we hadn’t spent all day in bed since Christmas, were getting me worked up. My dick had participated in an erection fest this past week, and he’d grown used to it.
She smiled smugly and kissed me on the cheek. “This was your idea.” She gave me a reproachful look and swiped at the spot she kissed with her ruby-red full lips.
“Yes, it was.” I tapped her on the nose. “Shall we go?”
“Yes.” She glanced around. “I need my coat.” She strode over and grabbed her white fur shrug.
I was entranced watching her and helped her slip it on. I placed my hand on the curve of her back. “Let’s go.”
Checking my phone, I led her through the house to the front door. Ben said he was pulling into the driveway. I’d told him to stay home with his new baby, but he insisted on driving tonight. I thanked him profusely and paid him a handsome bonus to drive me around when I normally stayed in on New Year’s Eve.
The doorbell chimed, and I drew in my brows. Ben didn’t usually come to the door, but maybe he needed to use the restroom or something. I opened the door and froze.
Bill stood at the door with a grim look and grayish-brown hair mussed.
My hand instinctively tightened around Amber’s waist, and I asked with a level voice, “Bill, what are you doing here?”
His grim stare grew darker by the second. “You tell me,buddy.” He spat out the last word like it was repulsive. It wasn’t difficult to put two and two together. Somehow, he’d figured it out. He held up his cell, giving Amber a look of disgust. “I tracked your phone.”
“How could you?” Amber said as if he’d slapped her. “You promised you would respect my privacy.”
“Not after having our little conversation the other night and hearing what I heard.”
“Dad. It’s not what you think.” Amber had her hands raised in defense. “I can explain.”
“Amber.” He gritted his teeth. “Stay out of this.”
