Page 24 of Tame Me

I sighed a huge sigh. “Thank you, Dad. That means so much to me. But Mom?—”

“Oh, pfft, don’t worry about her.” He flicked his hand. “She’ll get over it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. She just doesn’t like to cause a scene.” He started to chuckle. “You’ll be the talk of the town for weeks. Maybe months.”

We laughed together for a while, and it was really nice. Then I turned to him slightly. “He deserved it, Dad.”

“Yes, I know.”

I blinked at him. His response was perfect, and the knots in my stomach gently unraveled.

We pulled over at the ten-minute drop-off zone at the Mildura Airport, and Dad hopped out of the car with me. He lifted my suitcase from the trunk, and when he opened his arms, I stepped into his embrace.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” His voice was sincere.

My heart swelled. “Thank you, Dad. That means so much to me.”

We kissed goodbye, and I made my way into the airport terminal.

During the flight home, a jumble of mixed emotions rolled through me, but the overwhelming one was relief. However, as the miles drifted away, I acknowledged that I didn’t feel as much satisfaction over my public humiliation of Alexander as I’d thought I would.

The hurt and sadness he’d brought into my life had dissipated long, long ago.

A couple in the seat ahead of me snuggled into each other, and I smiled at how in love they seemed. That was when it hit me—I’d never been in love with Alexander. It had been an illusion. A pathetic, insecure, desperate illusion, and if we’d married, I would’ve been destined for a miserable life.

Now, though, I was the happiest I’d been in years. Maybe ever.

Dropping Alexander to his knees last night had nothing to do with that. I’d created my happiness. I was the driver behind my destiny, and as we touched down at Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast, I turned my focus to my immediate destiny, Hunter McCall, who I had the pleasure of meeting in about two hours.

By the time I’d unpacked, showered, and done my makeup, I was so ready for a session of red-hot sex with my handsome chocolatier that my weekend in Mildura already seemed like a distant memory.

With my blonde wig in place, I went to my closet and decided to wear the second dress I’d bought for my Friday night in Mildura. This outfit was the one Lolita had decided would be perfect for clubbing.

The idea of that happening in my hometown had been laughable, but I was still glad Lolita had insisted I buy it.

The dress was a cute coral color, short in length, revealing at the bust, and perfect for both Memphis and Hunter. I slipped it on, and added a chunky gold necklace, a bracelet, and long, dangly earrings the lovely sales assistant at the shop had talked me into buying.

For my shoes, I tugged a pair of colorful Mollini stilettos from the back of the closet. I’d bought these shoes with the very first paycheck I’d earned at the Hot Horizon Hotel.

The shoes had a little peep-toe at the front, and I was grateful I’d taken the time to paint my toenails before I went to Mildura. I did up the strap around my ankle, stood up, and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. It was perfect in so many ways.

This dress was so lovely on me that I decided even Jane would wear it.

I grabbed my Michael Kors black bag and tossed in my essentials. I was still a little early but decided to head downstairs anyway. The elevator took forever to arrive, and when it pinged open, he was right there. My hero.

“Just Memphis!” His lovely blue eyes lit up, and he wiggled his brows. Once again, I hadn’t thought to give Memphis a surname, and I was already kicking myself.

“Oh, hi, Hunter.” I tugged my lip between my teeth. Simultaneously, we both took a step forward, placed our hands on each other’s waist, and leaned in to kiss a cheek. He smelled divine, a masculine mix of soap and spice.

“You look lovely.”

“Thank you. So do you.” I was struck once again by how gorgeous he was. The two-day growth he’d had last time was gone; this time, he was clean-shaven, showing off the sexy dimple in his chin.

We turned to face the mirrored doors, and I tried not to stare. Hunter was about four inches taller than me, his shoulders were broad, and his bone structure was strong and symmetrical. His tanned flesh finished off his already striking Adonis look.

“Did you have a nice weekend?”

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