Blackmailing the Virgin (Alexa Riley Promises #2)(17)

Chapter Nine





Calder




Walking into dinner, I feel Felicity pulling on my arm.

“Please, Calder. Not like this. Let me talk to him first.”

“No,” I growl and pull her forward. “You know the consequences if you don’t agree to this.”

I feel her stiffen and then finally she takes a step forward.

We enter the Varsity Hotel and walk through the lobby and straight into the restaurant. I’ve got Felicity on my arm so that there is no mistaking she and I are together.

When we see Bill and Becky at the table, I can practically hear her heart beating, she’s so nervous. Before we walk over, and before they spot us, I pull Felicity off to the side.

“Look at me,” I say, gently holding her chin. “You’ll be fine. I’m going to be next to you the whole time.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Her nervous joke makes me smile, and I lean down, taking her lips. For the first time in months, my heart seems to ease. It’s as if her lips have quieted everything around us, and we are now once again in perfect harmony.

Her mouth parts for me, and I sweep my tongue in, tasting her. I feel her hands come to my chest and rest there as I claim her as mine all over again. She may not think she wants this, but her body has other ideas.

As the kiss deepens, I know it needs to end, so reluctantly I pull away and rest my forehead against hers. I take a moment to catch my breath and then put her hand back in the crook of my arm, leading us over to the table.

When Bill spots us, there’s a moment that passes, and I expect to see shock. But instead he nods in our direction and stands to greet us.

He reaches out his hand to me and I take it, grasping it firmly. Becky stands and says hello to Felicity and then looks over at me, a little surprised that I’m here. But Bill is unfazed.

“Calder. I thought you might be joining us for dinner this evening. Please have a seat.”

I feel Felicity tense on my arm, but she stays silent as she sits down quickly, no doubt to try to hide the baby bump that I have no intention of keeping a secret.

“Bill, good to see you. I realize we should have had this talk back in New York, but circumstances have changed.”

“I can see that,” he says, looking over at Felicity. “Anything you’d like to tell me, dear?”

I see Becky’s hand fall to his wrist and give it a squeeze. It’s a sign of intimacy, and she’s trying to calm him down. There’s much more happening at this table than anyone is willing to admit. For now.

“Um, Dad. You know, Calder.”

“Oh, yes. The man who employs my firm. Even work in the same building. We’re acquainted,” he says with a laugh.

The waiter decides to pop over at this moment to take our drink orders. I get a glass of red wine for myself and water for Felicity.

After he leaves, I look at Bill and decide I’ll be the one leading this meeting.

“Look, you’re obviously aware of what’s happening between your daughter and me. I should have told you sooner, but Felicity and I wanted to wait until she was finished with school.”

He looks from me to his daughter and raises an eyebrow. “Is this true?”

Felicity looks at me and then at her father, nodding her head. It’s the safest thing for her to do since she’s such a terrible liar. Her brows do this cute little furrow every time she tries.

“We wanted to tell you together. We are expecting and are to be married.”

I see a vein beside his eye twitch. It’s the only reaction from him for a beat, and I see Becky squeeze his wrist yet again. A moment of silence passes, and Becky is the one to break it.

“Oh my, this is absolutely wonderful news. A baby! How far along are you, Felicity? When is the due date? We should get you back to the States right away so that we can get your doctors set up. Right, Bill?”

Becky’s enthusiasm goes a long way to ease some of Felicity’s tension and in turn relaxes me.

“Yes. You should come immediately.”

Bill’s statement is meant to sound concerned, but I take it to mean that he wants her to come to his home. That won’t be happening.

“Felicity?” I say, reminding her of our agreement, prompting her to interject.

“Oh, um, Calder and I are going to live together when we get back to New York. We’re going to get married right away, and he, I mean, we’d like to get the nursery ready as soon as possible. I’m already so far along, but with school ending, I can come back now.”

I squeeze her hand, letting her know she did a good job. It’s exactly what’s going to happen, and Bill needs to hear it from her. I only hate how forced her words are. I want them to be filled with happiness.

“And what about Sidney?” Bill asks, a smug note in his voice.

I feel Felicity tense, but I just sit back in my chair and sip the wine the waiter has dropped off for me.

“Sidney and I have been friends since we were children. There is nothing to tell.”

I feel Felicity’s fingers trail across my wrist, and I smile as I look over at her. She looks hopeful, and I give her a small wink. She must have been worried that Sidney and I were more than just close friends. I’m happy I could ease that worry for her. The only reason I hadn’t told her sooner was that it was Sidney’s secret, but now things have really changed. I can’t hold back any longer.