Holding my left hand in his, he places his free hand on my hip and pulls me close.
The entire time I’m dancing with Carter, all I can feel is the warmth of his body seeping into my own, while my thoughts circle around my father and whatever demented arrangement he is setting up with that Malcolm man.
“How has life been?” Carter asks, pulling me away from my thoughts.
Licking my lips, I peer up at him, “It’s been good.”
He’s so handsome like a real-life Ken doll, with his hair slicked back and his face carved from stone. Curiously, I wonder if he’s hiding a six-pack beneath his tux. He seems perfect in every sense of the word and standing beside him, I feel like a fraud. Like I don’t belong.
“What do you do for work?” He fires off another question, and it’s an innocent enough one. As I inhale, I catch a whiff of his cologne. It’s a mix of cinnamon and amber wood, and it tickles my nostrils with its intoxicating scent.
“Right now, I’m working for my father’s law firm as an assistant in the office.”
“Is that what you would like to do in the long run?”
“God, no,” I huff. I’m trying to get away as fast as I can, and even if it wasn’t for my father, I don’t like the job anyway. Actually, if I’m being honest, I hate it.
“So, you are planning for something else, then? Getting married, maybe?”
I blink, taken aback by his question. I also take note of how his hold on me tightens as if he’s afraid of my response.
“I mean, someday, yes…”
Carter smiles, showing off his perfectly straight white teeth. As we dance, I find myself being pulled deeper and deeper into his embrace. I want the warmth of his body to surround me. I want to be protected, secure, but staying with my father, I know I’ll never have any of those things. I’m merely a pawn to him.
“What about kids? Do you see kids in your future?” I almost choke on my own spit. Oh, my god, does he know about my secret? His question unravels a plethora of other questions in my mind. Marriage? Kids? Where is this all coming from, why would Carter ask any of this? Unless…
Suddenly, it all clicks into place, a bright red neon sign appearing in my mind.
I feel so stupid for not seeing it before. The parties, my father making me mingle with all of his colleagues. It’s a setup. That’s all it’s ever been. All over again, I’m left reeling, feeling like I’ve finally been told a massive secret.
Why else would he allow me to dress in such a provocative manner, and wear makeup? Showing me off to all these men, pushing me into dancing… That’s his plan, he’s trying to marry me off to someone of his choosing. It has to be. Panic claws up my throat, but before I can let it sink in, a thought appears in my mind.
My gaze flickers over to my father, who is laughing, and sipping his expensive whiskey, paying no attention to me. If this has been his plan all along, then Carter just might be the saving grace I need. The saving grace my baby needs. If I can get him to think the baby I’m carrying is his, I won’t have to worry about my father forcing me to get an abortion.
“Daisy, is everything okay?” Carter’s deep voice pulls me back to him, his dark eyes are brimming with concern, and I hate how he’s looking at me right now. I’m planning on doing something deceiving and terrible to him, while he looks at me like he actually cares.
Ha, like he would care. I hold that thought. Hold on to the pain he caused me in the past. I never allowed myself to get close to anyone because of him, I was afraid of being hurt. Then the chance to lose my virginity fell into my lap, and I gave myself to some random man. It was a terrible choice, but it was one I had gotten to make, not my father.
“Yeah, I’m just happy to see you… Maybe… we can go somewhere more private to catch up?” I have to force the words out, and as soon as they have left my lips, regret, and doubt sets in. Regret that I’ve sunk this low, and doubt about him ever saying yes to my proposal.
“Yes, I have a room here,” he says without stopping a beat. “Let’s go.”
He starts pulling me off the dance floor so quickly I almost fall over my own two feet, the only thing keeping me from doing so is his tight grasp. I glance back at my father, but thankfully, he’s still busy talking and not paying me any attention.
Never letting go of my hand, Carter leads me through the banquet hall and the lobby of the hotel. With every step we take closer to his room, my heart beats just a little bit faster. By the time we get to the elevator, my heartbeat matches that of a hummingbird. The doors slide shut, enclosing us in the small space. Suddenly, I feel hot like I’m burning up inside.
Carter loosens his bowtie and wipes some sweat from his brow. He must be feeling it too.
“I’ve been thinking about taking you to my room all night,” he confesses.
“What?” I gasp, an entire kaleidoscope of butterflies takes flight in my stomach.
“Don’t be so surprised… You have to know how beautiful you are, how beautiful you’ve always been.” I take notice of how he changed his words.
Earlier, he told me I looked beautiful, now he simply states that I am. My cheeks heat, feeling like they are on fire, and I’m pretty sure they match the color as well.
The elevator door dings open, but Carter doesn’t make a move to get out. Instead, he just gazes at me. His eyes bleeding into mine as if he is trying to solve a puzzle, but beyond that, there is a sweetness in those green depths, an admiration of sorts. Like I’m somehow important to him. But in my eyes, there is no way that can be true. He didn’t want me then, so why does he want me now?
Pushing my feelings for him to the side, I know what I have to do.
6
Carter
I’m completely enthralled by her, drawn to her in every way. She is the moon, and I am the Earth, together we belong in the same space moving in synchrony.
I want to tell her how I feel about her, how I always felt, but not now. Right now, I need Daisy naked and sprawled out in my bed. My wildest wet teenage dreams are about to come true. Realizing that we are still standing in the elevator, I spring into action and pull her out into the hall. Tugging her down the hall, I stop once we reach my room. With sweaty palms, I slide the key card through the reader and push the door open, stepping into the large luxury suite.
Looking at her over my shoulder, I can see a trickle of worry in her blue eyes, and I need to make sure she’s okay, make sure this is really what she wants.
“Are you sure about this? We don’t have to—”
“I want to…” She interrupts me.
“Want to?” I urge her to say it out loud. Need her to say it out loud.
“Sleep with you,” she bats her eyes, the words falling from her lips on a whisper, and that’s all the fucking invitation I need.
Walking further inside, I watch as she enters the suite. She walks past me, and my eyes drift down to her perfect ass, my mouth waters with each and every step she takes.
Her dress is sculpted to her body, looking divine on her, but it’s going to look even better on the floor.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask, unsure if I should offer one or not.