Page 50 of Chaining Daisy
I’m not going to let Rose’s disapproval dissuade me for a second though, because in an unbelievable twist of fate—one that Rose certainly won’t want to hear, Daisy actually wants twisted things from me as much as I want to give them to her.
The monster inside my chest purrs at that fact.
My eyes drift over to Lily, whose gaze is flitting back and forth between my girl and me as if she’s trying to decide if I’m somehow secretly pulling Daisy’s strings. God, I’ve known I’ve been fucked in the head for years, but watching these other girls villainize me with their looks makes me want to fucking declare that I love Daisy to them before I’ve even told her. I won’t, because she deserves better.
But I want to because it would smack that judgment right off their faces. If they’d been inside my head … no that would probably make matters worse. But if they’d been inside my heart ….
I want to curl my hand into a fist, but I don’t want them to perceive me as threatening so I force my muscles to relax, force myself to think of the way Daisy looked when she sat on my lap and first surrendered to me—so sweet and vulnerable.
Nothing’s worth risking the way she looks at me. The awe that crosses her features, which is only mirrored by my own. I’m not going to let anger or indignation threaten that.
I stare calmly back at Lily until she glances away. I have no clue what she’s thinking, if I’ve already been convicted in her head the way I have in Rose’s. I decide to focus my energy back on my girl, watching for some sign of what she needs as she deals with the nuclear fallout here.
Daisy finally gets Rose to quiet down before turning and looking at me. Her huge blue eyes are soulful and pleading, and I know immediately that she’s asking for permission to tell them. Didn’t she already tell Violet?
My gaze swings to the blonde-haired girl, who’s still standing at the far side of the room and looking smug.
Daisy’s face must have given it all away; her expressions do that sometimes—project exactly what she’s thinking. Violet figured it out.
It’s time the rest do too. Maybe it will lessen their vitriol. Not quite excuse what I’ve done, but make it a little less … disturbing. I give a single nod.
“Gunnar and I … we’re seeing each other.”
It’s one of those mic drop moments. Or perhaps it’s a little more sinister. It’s the drop of a pin just pulled from a grenade.
Rose explodes, her manicured nails flying to her curly hair. “WHAT THE FUCK?”
Lily’s eyebrows scrunch. “What about your date tonight?”
Daisy blushes fire-engine red as Violet gapes, eyes darting between us before she asks me, “You didn’t get called in for a surgery, did you?”
I don’t have to respond. She puts two and two together easily enough, her shaking head turning to my girl in admiration. “Damn. I might be jealous right now, Daise, he’s a fox.”
I need to ask Daisy when her birthday is. Violet is getting some champagne.
“No. No! You cannot … he’scrosseda line!” Rose bursts out, arm slashing through the air to emphasize her point.
I turn to Daisy, staring deeply into her eyes. “Did I ever disrespect you or make you feel unsafe?”Outside of hot sex where I push your boundaries?“Haven’t I always put your needs first?”Even when I wanted so badly to date you but I knew you were too emotionally ripped apart to handle it?
“You’ve always been amazing,” Daisy responds in a whisper, a blush painting her beautiful cheeks.
That right there, that soft, tender look … it’s worth everything.
“I’m sorry it came out this way. But, Daisy … I would rip my own heart out before I’d try and hurt you.”
“I know you would. Because you’ve proven it a million times.” Her eyes become damp as her soft voice fills the otherwise silent entryway. “You came into my life when I needed you most. When I had nothing, you gave me everything. You have been there for me through thick and thin. God, Gunnar … you’ve been there through the worst.” She laughs shakily, bringing her fist to her mouth like she’s trying to stifle a sob. When she has control of her voice again, she speaks, though the sound is tightly strung like a violin. “You’ve made me laugh, held me when I cried. Out of all the people in the entire world, I’m so glad I met you. I’ve never looked at vending machines the same.” She gives a teary chuckle, which I hear echoed in my own throat.
God, I fucking love her.
Inside my chest—there are church bells, bubbles and sparklers, hundreds of doves released into the sky.
Because to me … it sounds like she just spoke her vows.
I step forward and take her hand, lifting it up to my lips. I kiss the ring I gave her as I stare into her shining eyes. “I’d do anything for you. You’re my world.”
“Aww,” Lily’s attitude softens, tossing a hand over her heart, but I don’t even glance at her. I don’t have eyes for anyone but my girl.
Mine.
