Page 54 of Dallas
The people of Wilde like me. They trust me.
And I’ve lied to them.
“Baby, it’s all going to be fine. I promise.”
He can’t promise that. He can’t promise anything. Being the daughter of a famous politician who murdered his wife and then took his own life is a life sentence. I’ll never fully escape it. I’ll always be looking over my shoulder. I could take on a new name, change my appearance, and move to Washington or Alaska. I’d still spend my life worrying about being found out, though.
I glance at the man I’m in love with. He’s very concerned for me. But I’m more concerned for him.
Chapter 20
Arianna
* * *
I can’t believe I’m getting married tomorrow. I stare at the ceiling. It’s early. I can feel and hear Dallas breathing next to me, but I don’t dare move for fear I will wake him. I need a few minutes alone, and this is as alone as it gets for me now. If I tried to creep from the bed and go to the bathroom, he would follow me. The man doesn’t even let me pee alone.
I’m a ball of nerves. I’m not as worried about getting married as I should be. It feels right. I certainly never expected to find a man I could spend my life with, let alone in two weeks.
On top of that, I never visualized being able to tell someone who I really am, have them accept me and my potential baggage, and for them to offer me unconditional love and protection.
Even more crazy is that Dallas’s entire family has rallied around me. They didn’t so much as flinch when we told them what happened in the city yesterday. They gave me their full support, no matter what.
It’s quiet in the house. It feels like the calm before the storm. I’m sure Gretchen is already downstairs preparing breakfast for us because the woman is always working. Several other people have been hired to work in the mansion, too. They’re all over the place, cleaning and cataloging the items in every room.
This estate is a treasure trove of artifacts, and my fiancé is as interested in discovering antiques as I am in categorizing the books. In a way, we have that in common. At least I can understand his love for and curiosity about old things in the same way he understands my love and curiosity for old books.
“You’re thinking so hard…” Dallas whispers next to me.
I twist my head in his direction to find him staring at me. How long has he been awake? I guess I only thought I was having a quiet moment alone. I smile at him.
He grins back and slides a hand onto my stomach. I’m naked because the man doesn’t let me have clothes when we’re in our room. He seems to strip me almost as soon as he shuts the door and won’t let me dress again until we need to go down to eat.
He spreads his fingers wide, grazing the undersides of my breasts, making my breath hitch and my body come to life. He scoots closer. “Tomorrow night, I’m going to put a baby in you.”
I giggle. He’s obsessed with getting me pregnant. “You know it doesn’t always happen the first time. It might take a few months. I hope you won’t be disappointed if I’m not pregnant on Sunday.”
He kisses my shoulder. “You will be.”
I roll my eyes and change the subject. “We have a lot to do today. We should get up.”
“We will. In a minute. First, I want to just lie here and gaze at you. I love how you look first thing in the morning with your curls all over the place and your body relaxed.” He lifts his hand to pull the covers slowly down to my waist. “I love how your breasts look when you’re lying on your back.”
My breath hitches when he slides his hand to lightly cup my breast, and I arch my chest when he thrums my nipple.
“I love how your peaks stiffen when I touch them,” he whispers against my neck. “Spread your legs, baby.”
I bend my outside knee and let my sex open.
“Good girl. Lift your arms above your head.”
I whimper as I obey him.
He rises onto his elbow to look down at me. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous. Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
I smile and nod.
He releases my breast to tug the covers farther down so that I’m fully exposed. Still holding my gaze, he brings his hand to my pussy and gently drags a finger through my folds.
