Kissing Her(16)

He places the contract on the table between us and sizes me up again. Instead of being excited about the money, I can smell his greed from where I’m sitting. I’ve dealt with all kinds of men in my line of work and one weasel is like the next. He thinks if he can get a hundred grand out of me, he can get two. He’s got something I want and he knows it. But I’m willing to pay whatever it is to get my Bee.

“I can see that you’re interested, but she is our baby girl after all.” He glances over to the hallway and I can see a shadow move.

From what Bee has told me, no one in her family pays her any attention and I believe her. This man sees his daughter as a commodity and as much as I hate it, if that’s how I have to do business then so be it.

“I understand, she’s a very precious woman,” I agree as he leans back in his seat. “What would make you feel more comfortable in giving me her hand in marriage?”

I try to speak as smoothly as I can and not grind my teeth. What I really want to do is come across the table and knock some sense into him. But what I have to do in order to get what’s mine is be calm and cool.

“I’ll need to think about it,” he says as he rubs his chin and pretends to give it consideration. I already know he’s going to say he wants two hundred thousand. “I think you’d need to double the price.”

I want to roll my eyes at how predictable this leech is, but he’s not wrong. I would empty my bank account to get to her.

“Done.” I take a pen out of my pocket and hand it over to him and he signs the documents without hesitation.

I stand up and I hear movement in the hallway, but her father tucks his hands in his pockets and smiles.

“As soon as the money is deposited she’s all yours,” he says, and at that point the three women who were hiding walk into the room.

“Daddy, are you serious?” Melina shrieks, and I can see her face is boiling red. “She can’t get married before I do.” She stomps her foot as she turns to her mother. “I’m the oldest. Shouldn’t I get to decide if I want to marry him or not?”

“No.” I shake my head at the idea. “I don’t want you. I want Bee.” When I look at her I can see her eyes are watering with unshed tears and she’s smiling. “And she’s coming with me tonight.”

“No, she’s not,” her father says, and I turn my eyes back to him. “I’ve signed the paperwork and she’s promised to you, but she’s not going anywhere until the money has changed hands.”

I check my watch to see that the bank is already closed. I pull out my phone and text my lawyer and my accountant to make sure this deal gets done now, but they both respond that it has to wait until first thing in the morning. I’m contemplating how to get that much cash out tonight, but when I look over at Bee she shakes her head just a little where her family can’t see.

The look in her eyes tells me not to push. I don’t know if she’s afraid he’ll change his mind or his greed will get the better of him and he’ll drive the price up. I’ve spent every night before now without her, so what’s one more night alone? My insides burn with anger and need and I don’t know if I’ll make it until morning.

“The wire has been processed and it should be in your bank account at nine o’clock,” I say, clenching my jaw. “I will be here at eight with the preacher to make this legal.”

“We can sign the marriage license right here.” Her father indicates the living room and ignores the protest of his oldest daughter, who is whining and stamping her foot.

The mother is behind the two of them not saying a word and I wonder if she even cares or if she’s been trained to keep her mouth closed. Obviously Melina wasn’t taught to be as obedient.

“Quiet, girl,” her father barks, and Melina closes her mouth. He walks over to Bee and takes her hand gently as he leads her over to where I’m standing. “Why don’t you walk Mr. Black outside and say goodnight?”

There’s an obvious shift in the room where for what appears to be the first time, Bee is the daughter who is most revered. It’s to the shock of her sister and mother that she’s being treated with such honor and it makes me sick to my stomach these people shit on her for so long.

“Goodnight,” I say to the room, and with one last glance at her sister, Melina glares daggers at me. I don’t trust her, and I’m going to tell Bee as much.

Bee’s hand in mine is so small and fragile. There are a million things that could happen to her in the hours between now and morning.

“I don’t like leaving you,” I say, looking over her head and inside the house where I see Melina keeping a close eye on us. “You need to be careful tonight with Melina.”

“What?” She looks over her shoulder and shakes her head dismissively as she turns back to me. “She’s just jealous because you offered to pay for me.” She beams up at me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen and I ache to kiss her again. “Are you serious, Ragnar? Are we really getting married?”

“Of course we are, sweet Bee.” I touch her cheek and run a finger down her chin. “I was hoping you’d be in my bed tonight, but I guess we’ll have to wait one more day.”

She licks her lips and moves closer. I know what she wants. I move so that she’s in front of me and I’m blocking her from the view of her family. I reach out and graze the front of her dress and her hard nipples.