“As soon as the money is deposited she’s all yours,” he says, and at that point the three women who were hiding walk into the room.
“Daddy, are you serious?” Melina shrieks, and I can see her face is boiling red. “She can’t get married before I do.” She stomps her foot as she turns to her mother. “I’m the oldest. Shouldn’t I get to decide if I want to marry him or not?”
“No.” I shake my head at the idea. “I don’t want you. I want Bee.” When I look at her I can see her eyes are watering with unshed tears and she’s smiling. “And she’s coming with me tonight.”
“No, she’s not,” her father says, and I turn my eyes back to him. “I’ve signed the paperwork and she’s promised to you, but she’s not going anywhere until the money has changed hands.”
I check my watch to see that the bank is already closed. I pull out my phone and text my lawyer and my accountant to make sure this deal gets done now, but they both respond that it has to wait until first thing in the morning. I’m contemplating how to get that much cash out tonight, but when I look over at Bee she shakes her head just a little where her family can’t see.
The look in her eyes tells me not to push. I don’t know if she’s afraid he’ll change his mind or his greed will get the better of him and he’ll drive the price up. I’ve spent every night before now without her, so what’s one more night alone? My insides burn with anger and need and I don’t know if I’ll make it until morning.
“The wire has been processed and it should be in your bank account at nine o’clock,” I say, clenching my jaw. “I will be here at eight with the preacher to make this legal.”
“We can sign the marriage license right here.” Her father indicates the living room and ignores the protest of his oldest daughter, who is whining and stamping her foot.
The mother is behind the two of them not saying a word and I wonder if she even cares or if she’s been trained to keep her mouth closed. Obviously Melina wasn’t taught to be as obedient.
“Quiet, girl,” her father barks, and Melina closes her mouth. He walks over to Bee and takes her hand gently as he leads her over to where I’m standing. “Why don’t you walk Mr. Black outside and say goodnight?”
There’s an obvious shift in the room where for what appears to be the first time, Bee is the daughter who is most revered. It’s to the shock of her sister and mother that she’s being treated with such honor and it makes me sick to my stomach these people shit on her for so long.
“Goodnight,” I say to the room, and with one last glance at her sister, Melina glares daggers at me. I don’t trust her, and I’m going to tell Bee as much.
Bee’s hand in mine is so small and fragile. There are a million things that could happen to her in the hours between now and morning.
“I don’t like leaving you,” I say, looking over her head and inside the house where I see Melina keeping a close eye on us. “You need to be careful tonight with Melina.”
“What?” She looks over her shoulder and shakes her head dismissively as she turns back to me. “She’s just jealous because you offered to pay for me.” She beams up at me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen and I ache to kiss her again. “Are you serious, Ragnar? Are we really getting married?”
“Of course we are, sweet Bee.” I touch her cheek and run a finger down her chin. “I was hoping you’d be in my bed tonight, but I guess we’ll have to wait one more day.”
She licks her lips and moves closer. I know what she wants. I move so that she’s in front of me and I’m blocking her from the view of her family. I reach out and graze the front of her dress and her hard nipples.
“Are you thinking of the dressing room?” I ask, my voice deep with need.
“Yes.” It’s barely a whisper, but I hear the plea in her voice all the same.
“Tonight when you lie down, I want you to put your fingers inside your pretty little pussy and think of me.” I move a bit closer as I keep rubbing her hard nipple over the thin material. “Don’t come, but stay wet and ready. Because first thing in the morning after I’ve made you my wife, you’re going to make me a daddy.”
Her breath catches as I lean in and quickly brush my lips across hers.
“Keep it safe for me until then,” I say against her mouth, then I bite her bottom lip and straighten up. “I want you to pack your things tonight so that we don’t waste a moment tomorrow. Do you understand me?”