I won’t put Blakely in the middle of whatever bullshit her father has going on. I took her and washed my hands of what he owes me because I’m not going to take down her father even if I think he’s a piece of shit. I didn’t tell her about the email because I knew it would hurt her, but now I wonder if that was a mistake.
I’d shaken her world up enough when I came along and didn't want to add to it. I wanted her trust and I feared she would’ve believed her father over me. I could see from the start how much she wanted her family to like me, and I tried my best at first. But it didn’t take long before John’s ego took a hit and we stopped pretending.
He tried to backtrack, thinking he could use his daughter against me when he saw my clear interest in her. I try not to think about whether he’d ever made the same offer to someone else. I’d have to kill him and whoever the other man was.
“Daniel?” I glance down at Blakely and smile, hoping my anger isn't showing.
“You never told me if the weather changed.” Her eyes are hopeful, but we haven't had any snow this year and it isn't looking like we will be any time soon.
“I’m sorry, dream girl. There’s no snow in the forecast.”
I see her smile fall and it crushes me. She wants a white wedding and I can tell how much she’s disappointed. Why does she have to want something that I have absolutely no control over? Still, my mind can't stop trying to fix the problem for her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll ask Santa to make it happen,” I say and nuzzle against her. Her laughter fills the car and dissolves my residual anger.
“Are you going to behave tonight?” she asks as she smiles at me.
“Then you wouldn't have any fun,” I say against her skin as I graze my teeth along the shell of her ear. She shivers and I kiss her before pulling away. “You’re still in trouble for roping us into this, so don’t push your luck,” I warn.
She smiles bigger and leans against me so I can stare down her dress and to her cleavage. The car comes to a stop and the driver gets out to go around and open the door.
“I’ll take my punishment,” she whispers as she licks her lips. “Later.”
Just then she reaches for the door handle, but I grab her hand and stop her.
“Don’t even think about it.”
Chapter 5
Blakely
Daniel brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it as the door opens. The driver steps back to let us out and Daniel gets out first. He helps me out then tucks me against his arm in a possessive hold. I glance over and see a few local news reporters and I look away, not wanting their attention, but it’s too late because I hear them call Daniel’s name.
“Is it true? You’re not really married?” My head turns back to look at them wondering how they know.
The wedding I planned is small and intimate. I told everyone we were finally doing a ceremony to celebrate and the only people who know about us not being married are my family and close friends. Daniel tenses at the question and I turn my head so they can’t get a picture.
“Let it be,” I whisper, knowing I need to calm him. “You’re my husband and my everything,” I remind him, and he kisses the top of my head as a silent thank you before leading me inside and out of the cold.
When we enter, the party is already in full swing. Daniel snags me a glass of champagne and I hold the glass, not taking a sip. I haven't told Daniel I stopped taking the pill and it’s too soon for me to be pregnant, but I don't want to chance it. Telling him is going to be my Christmas surprise and I know he’ll be thrilled. It’s hard to shop for him, but I know this would mean more to him than anything. I’m ready and I want to start our lives together in every way.
His eyes flick to my glass then back to me, and I wonder if he’s already onto me. The man notices everything and it’s probably why he’s so good in business. He’s always two steps ahead. It’s comforting but at the same