Page 20 of Mister Stark

Thankfulness.

Mr. Daxon Stark, my dear father-in-law, was thankful for my presence and it made me even tenser than this awkward limousine ride home. Daxon had this way of crawling under my skin and consuming every fibre of my being. He did it to toss me away, but it only pushed me to stay. I wasn’t one to back down and let a rich prick like Daxon Stark ruin my life.

Dylan’s phone chimed with a text message and the light from the touch screen shone against his face. A light smile played across his lips and I pondered if daddy was on the other line. He let out a soft chuckle, and I knew it wasn’t the case. Dylan and his father didn’t share a light-hearted relationship filled with laughter. It was more on the serious side and always about business. Everything came down to it with Daxon Stark and there was no way around it.

“Who is that, darling?” I asked sweetly, as I straightened my back and raised my eyebrows with interest.

Even though I didn’t give a shit and was still smoking like a thick smog.

“Oh, just a co-worker and I exchanging a word about the business deal.”

Bullshit.

I knew better than that. Dylan never smiled or joked about his career. He was just like his father and dear daddy had groomed Dylan just the way he wanted him to be. Ruthless, calculated and cutthroat.

Dylan had always been secretive, and I knew it from the beginning. He painted me a picture of what my life could be like and he made it come true. Except the parts of him left locked with hidden secrets and wouldn’t let me have the key. It left me stumbling around in the darkness and trying to find the light. A light that I knew shone so brightly with a truth he kept buried from me and didn’t want anyone to see.

I was around all the time with this lavish life I lead and I paid attention. There was more going on and I knew it. I had no idea what, and I knew some answers were on his phone. But I was not that kind of person.

Everyone had a right to their privacy. Even my fiancé. I just hoped I didn’t have to pay the price for whatever secret he kept hidden.

The streetlights played along his face with the colors of red, green, yellow and blue. His brown hair shone as each color touched it and shimmered across his smooth skin. His gorgeous eyes remained locked on the phone as his fingers tapped in a message and I wanted the words to reflect on his face. But he didn’t look at me and the limousine came to a halt.

I was happy he didn’t because I’d have questions to answer. He’d see my curiosity, and I’d give myself away. The tension within this ride had been too much for me, and I needed some fresh air. I needed to clear my head.

I grabbed my purse and was the first one out the door as soon as it swung open. I didn’t waste time and Paisley followed behind me. Someone immersed Dylan in his text message and was the last one to leave. I couldn't care less at this point and just wanted this evening to be over.

“Are you okay?” Paisley asked as she touched my shoulder, but I couldn’t look at her.

“I’ll be better in the morning after a good night’s rest and this dreaded evening put behind me.” I admitted as my heels clicked along the tiles and my penthouse door came into view.

“It wasn’t all that bad. The food was delicious and Beverly was sincere.” Paisley said as she tried to ease the tension and kept it positive. “And your future father-in-law wasn’t so bad. He was more like a big grizzly bear trying to protect his business, which includes you.”

I giggled softly. “Um, ya right. The only thing he cares about is his company and he’s made it very clear he wants me to be as far away from it as possible. Mr. Daxon Stark trying to protect me? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

I unlocked the door as my keys jiggled together and pushed it open. My purse dropped onto the nearest chair and I discarded my heels in a hurry. I just wanted to get this night over with and crawl into bed.

“Well, there was definitely something there between you and Dylan’s father. Some sort of lingering tension, but I don’t think Dylan noticed it.” Paisley said as she waved her hand and took off her shoes. “So, maybe it’s just me?”

Paisley’s words struck a chord with me, and I remembered his closeness. The smell of him as it lingered in my nose and made my toes curl. His body heat mingled with my own and set a new temperature within the restaurant. His touch as it burned over my skin and set my being on fire. But I cleared my unnerved thoughts as I shook my head and pushed them aside.

“It has to be. There’s no way that man will ever like me and I’ve grown to hate him. So, the feeling’s mutual.” I smiled sarcastically and shrugged my shoulders.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Paisley sighed as she stepped towards her bedroom and flashed me a playful smile. “Hate can always bloom into love.”

“I think you had too much to drink.” I laughed as I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore her comment. “But I guess I’ll see you in the morning. If you need anything at all, just knock and I’ll come running.”

“Okay, sounds good and love you bunches.” Paisley said as she puckered her lips together and blew me a quick goodnight kiss.

My eyes landed on her closed door as the room filled with quietness and it felt empty. I looked towards the front door, but my fiancé was nowhere in sight. My gaze landed on the clock and I wanted to go to bed, but he kept me awake. He should’ve been right behind us and I pondered what kept him.

Minutes ticked by and finally the door opened, with Dylan walking through it. He held his beloved cellphone to his ear and smiled from ear to ear. The door fell shut behind him and he clapped his hands together in one swift movement. The loud sound made me jump. His brown hair fell into his face and he brushed it back as he laughed happily, but I knew exactly what was happening.

Daddy was on the other line to celebrate another success.

One more business deal down and a billion more to go.

His eyes locked with mine as he hung up the call and stuffed the cellphone in his pocket. “We did it, baby. We closed the deal.”

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