Page 5 of Run Game
“Dalton,” I say, trying to ward away the emotions this whole situation is stirring up. “Even if this wasn’t the craziest idea I’ve ever heard, you don’t want to marry me. Not even just for a night. I’m not worth wasting your first marriage on.”
His smile fades. “Don’t tell me what I want, Dia.” He must notice my inability to look him straight in the eyes because he steps directly in front of me, bending just enough at the knees so that we’re face-to-face. Gripping my chin between his fingers, he forces me to look at him. “Why would you think I wouldn’t want to marry you?”
Fuuuuuuuuck.
I hate this. I hate feelings. But from what I know of Dalton, there’s no limit to how annoying he can be when he wants something. So, I pull up my big girl panties and rip off the band-aid, if only to shut him the fuck up so we can get out of here.
“I’m not wife material,” I tell him, echoing the words that were so carelessly thrown at me like my feelings didn’t matter. “I’m just for fun. Not forever.”
He stiffens, hands balling into fists at his sides. “Who told you that?” I stand there wordlessly, suddenly very interested in the small rock I’m kicking with the tip of my shoe. Feeling his stare burning into me, I can’t help but peek at him. “Who, Dia?”
I blow out a breath. “It was my ex, Josh,” I blurt. “Someone I thought cared about me. I let my guard down one time and was reminded who I really am. Never again.”
He stares at me for a moment before abruptly pickingme up and throwing me over his shoulder, making a beeline for the entrance of the chapel.
“Dalton, put me down!” I squeal. “People will see my kitty!” I reach back to cover my butt that’s surely on display, but he already has his hand there, yanking my dress down. I kick my feet to no avail right as he lands a hard slap to my ass, making me go completely still.
“Did you just…spank me?”
“Yep.” His voice rumbles against my body. “Talk back to me again and you’ll get another one.”
I’m in shock. I’ve never been spanked before. And between you and me…I didn’t hate it. Maybe Mads is onto something, although I can never see myself being as submissive as she is with Blaze. That’s just not who I am. I have an attitude. When I’m pushed, I push back twice as hard. My therapist would probably say that’s a defense mechanism to prevent people from getting too close, but I like to think I’m just a badass bitch who doesn’t need anyone. People leave. I need to know I can take care of myself.
With me still hanging over his shoulder like a ragdoll, Dalton comes to a stop before carefully sliding me down his body. As soon as my feet hit the floor, I right my dress before slapping his chest. “What the fuck?” I yell, not caring who hears. This guy is straight up nuts if he thinks we have any business being in here.
Looking past me, clearly unaffected by my outburst, he addresses the woman at the front desk. “You guys sell rings here?” he asks. “We need a big one. I’m rich.”
“What a douchebag,” I mutter under my breath. I know they both hear me, but neither reacts.
“Right this way, sir,” she replies, leading us through an archway. “You’re in luck. Our jeweler was supposed toleave early tonight, but you got here just in time.” I follow, because what the fuck else am I supposed to do, as she introduces Dalton to a man who looks like he stepped straight out of an Al Pacino movie. They talk for a while before he turns to me.
“What’s your ring size, Wifey?”
Is this real life?
“Myring size, Dalton?” I whisper-shout. “That shit is the least of your worries. What’s my favorite color? My favorite movie? What size shoes do I wear?” I say, throwing up my arms. “All things you should know about a woman before you marry her!”
“One moment, please,” he says to the jeweler before turning to me. “Purple. 10 Things I Hate About You.” He looks at my feet. “Probably like, a seven and a half.” I gasp as his eyes meet mine again. “Now, what’s your ring size?”
“Six and a quarter,” I whisper, almost inaudibly. Am I doing this? Am I really going to marry Dalton Davis for the night?
Fine. Fuck it. When in Vegas, right? We can be married by midnight and have it annulled by brunch. Maybe the asshole will give me a few good orgasms before I send him on his way. None of this means anything anyway. May as well add some casual sex into the mix.
Maybe if I’m bad, he’ll spank me again.
Dalton swipes his credit card for a total of eighty-five thousand dollars, which I hope he can get back in the morning, and drops down to one knee right in the middle of this janky wedding chapel. I allow myself to live in the moment, pretending that this is really forever, not just for tonight, as he takes my hand in his. I hate that my bodyreacts to such a simple touch as my knees threaten to buckle under me.
“Diamond Spencer,” he begins. He almost looks nervous as he thinks about his next words. “From the moment I saw you, I knew I had to make you my wife. Unfortunately, I only get you for tonight. But I’ll take whatever you give me. Will you marry me?”
I roll my eyes, but mainly because I feel like if I don’t, some other emotion will show on my face. And we can’t have that. I have a reputation for being stone-cold and I’d like to preserve it. It’s just easier when people think I’m unapproachable. If they never approach me, I can’t get attached. “Depends,” I sass. “Do I get half your shit?”
“Baby,” he replies. “Say yes and you can haveallmy shit.”
This man. He’s too fucking good for me and he doesn’t even realize it.
“Yes,” I say with a defeated exhale. I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m allowing Dalton to talk me into going along with this crazy ‘full Vegas experience’bullshit. And, okay…maybe I’m just a teensy bit excited about it. After the week I’ve had, and have been trying to forget about, I deserve a night of fun.
Twenty minutes later, I thank the woman from the front desk as she zips the back of my thigh length straplesstulle wedding dress. As she walks out, leaving me alone in the room, I look over the shoe and jewelry options that were included in the full-service wedding package Dalton bought. Everything in here costs more than I pay for rent in a year. I couldn’t imagine living this lifestyle. Blaze bought Mads a fucking Mercedes for her birthday…and he’s a hell of a lot more financially responsible than Dalton. Case in point, the four-carat emerald cut ice-skating rink I’m wearing on my finger right now.
