Page 149 of Melt For Us, Daddy
Need flickered in Ivy’s eyes. “I’m good with that, too.”
At the head of the table, Braden rose, drawing their attention to him as he tapped his spoon against his glass. The chatter around the table quieted, and his gaze raked over everyone who had gathered there before settling on Cordelia. Unease rippled up her spine at the intensity of his gaze.
What was he up to?
His gaze shifted away, but the uneasy feeling remained. “Thank you all for coming out with us tonight. Lottie and I appreciate all your support, not just with the wedding but in our lives. We couldn’t do this without you, and we hope you know exactly how much we love and appreciate all of you.”
Cheers went up around the table as everyone raised their glasses. When the noise settled down again, Braden looked down at Lottie, who nodded enthusiastically. And when Lottie’s bright-eyed excitement zeroed in straight on Cordelia, that ripple of unease turned to a tidal wave.
“We had originally planned to give you all a gift tonight, something to show you how much we appreciate you. But after talking it over, and then speaking with some of you, we decided on something different. Lottie?”
Popping up from her chair, Lottie hurried around the table, an envelope clutched in her hand. “This is for Ivy. Here.”
She thrust the envelope at Ivy, who blinked in surprise before taking it. “Um. Thank you.”
“Open it!” Lottie bounced on her toes. “You have to open it!”
Looking around the table, Cordelia noticed that all of their friends were watching Ivy with that same excited anticipation on their faces.
Seriously. What the hell were they up to?
Ivy looked at her, clearly expecting some kind of direction. Suspicious as she was, Cordelia wasn’t about to deny her sweet subbies whatever the gift was, so she nodded. “Go on, blossom. Open it.”
An expectant hush fell over the table as Ivy ripped open the envelope. Inside was a generic Christmas card, which Ivy carefully opened.
“Holy shit,” she whispered, her eyes going wider than Cordelia had ever seen them. “You guys can’t be serious.”
“What is it?”
Fingers trembling slightly, Ivy passed the check to Cordelia.
Holy fuck, that was a lot of zeroes.
Jerking her head up, Cordelia glared at Braden. “I can’t accept this.”
But to her growing irritation, Braden just grinned. “I know. That’s why the check is made out to Ivy. Figured you wouldn’t be able to deny your submissive the dream house she’s been salivating over for months now.”
“What house?” Cordelia demanded, looking from Braden to Ivy, the latter of whom was glaring up at Lottie.
“You weren’t supposed to tell anyone!”
“Sorry.” But Lottie didn’t look the least bit sorry. Neither did any of the other women in their group, all of whom were grinning widely at Ivy. “It’s just, you've been talking about that house forever, and pretty much everyone at this table has more money than we could ever spend in a lifetime, so we wanted to do something good with that money.”
“Lottie knows about the house? Why don’t I know about the house?” The knowledge that Ivy had shared this secret dream house with others but not her, stung more than she cared to admit.
“Because it’s ridiculous,” Ivy said, her cheeks turning red as she jerked a shoulder in a shrug. “It’s way too big and it’s on the water so it's stupidly expensive.”
“Was stupidly expensive.” From his spot across the table, Ice grinned. “Beckett and I talked to the agent, and even she admitted they’d priced themselves out of the market. Which is why it’s been sitting empty for as long as it has. She already talked to the owners and with a cash offer, they’re willing come down on the price significantly. The check is more symbolic than anything, the money’s sitting in account right now, just waiting to be transferred. Beckett’s handling everything on the financial side of things, and since you’re not using a realtor, he sweet-talked the agent into only charging you the selling agent’s commission.’
“This is too much.” Cordelia shook her head. “We can’t possibly ask you guys to buy us a house.” Especially not one with a price tag that they wouldn’t be able to afford in a hundred years at their current salaries.
“You’re not asking.” Leaning over, Ruby gripped Cordelia’s hand, her expression fierce. “You know I have more issues than anyone accepting this kind of thing. But we want to do this for you. Because we love you. No strings, no hidden demands, just a group of people who love you and Ivy and Jacob and want to give you all the best future possible.”
Letting her gaze travel the table, Cordelia swallowed hard at what she found there. Love, just as Ruby had said. The kind so pure and all-consuming, she hadn’t even believed it had existed for years.
“Ivy. Look at me, baby.”
Her babygirl did as she was told, and in that instant, Cordelia knew she wouldn’t be turning down their gift. “Yes, Daddy?”
