Page 72 of Undisputed Player
I unzipped the bag slowly, watching her face.
The dress unfurled like liquid silk. It was a dark emerald fabric with delicate straps and a sweetheart neckline that would frame her small breasts perfectly. I saw the moment girl-like awe overcame her wariness.
“It's beautiful,” she whispered, reaching out to touch the fabric before drawing her hand back quickly. “But I can't accept something like this. It must have cost--”
“Nothing,” I cut in, moving closer. “Nothing close to what you’re worth, Estelle. Let me do this for you.”
It had cost a little over ten grand, but that was nothing for my perfect princess.
She hesitated, one arm wrapped around her waist in a self-protective gesture.
“Why?”
The question was loaded with a lifetime of experiences that had taught her nothing came free.
“Because I want to,” I answered, voice dropping lower. “Because seeing you happy makes me happy. Because I've thought about nothing but you since I first saw you in that classroom.”
Her lips parted slightly, her breath hitching.
I thought she might refuse, might cling to that fierce independence that both frustrated and fascinated me. Then Leo appeared beside her, looking up at the dress with wide eyes.
“Wow,” he breathed. “You're gonna look like a princess, Elle.”
A smile tugged at her lips, and she ruffled his hair affectionately. “You think so?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “The prettiest princess ever.”
She laughed, the sound warming my chest, and turned back to me with a softened expression. “Okay,” she said quietly. “Thank you, Jax. I'll wear it.”
Victory surged through me, primal and sweet. “Perfect. Now finish getting ready, princess. I'll keep Leo company.”
She took the dress from my hands, and I had to resist pulling her against me and ripping that robe open.
“I'll be quick,” she promised, retreating toward her bedroom.
“Take your time,” I called after her. “We've got all night.”
All night, and every night after.
I settled on the couch with Leo, giving the dinosaur expert my full attention.
I was more than happy to be part of this little guy’s life as his paternal figure. I’d do it well, too; my own father had taught me how to be the best, after all.
“So tell me more about these dinosaur movies,” I requested. He launched into an enthusiastic explanation of velociraptors, which I readily engaged in.
An hour later, I heard movement from the bathroom, the soft pad of bare feet, the rustle of fabric. My body tensed in anticipation, every sense heightened as I listened to her getting ready.
Then I heard it—a sharp crash followed by a muffled curse that made my lips twitch with amusement.
"Estelle?" I called, already rising from the couch. "You okay, princess?"
Silence. Then another smaller crash, like she was trying to clean up whatever she'd knocked over.
I was at the bathroom door before I could stop myself, the need to check on her overriding everything else. "Estelle?"
"I'm fine!" Her voice was strained, breathless. "Just... give me a minute."
Like hell. I could hear her struggling, could practically feel her frustration through the thin door. The protective instinct that had been simmering all day roared to life.
