by Mia Barrett
She was sixteen, for crying out loud!
Since then, Charlotte Tamara Travers has been on my radar. Since then, I’ve been biding my time, waiting for her to finish growing up, always believing one day she’d be mine.
And now, she will be. That girl’s marrying me. It’s destiny.
Chapter 5
Charlotte
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. My hands are tied. Your father hates that you live in that grungy little apartment and refuse his help. He wants you to come home.” My mother throws her hands in the air as if she’s done everything humanly possible.
“But I wouldn’t have to live in that horrible apartment if he didn’t stand in the way of me finding a better job. I’m working two jobs as it is just to pay my rent. He doesn’t want to help me. He wants me under his thumb.” I shriek with angst as she walks into the parlor and dismisses my concerns.
“Lower your voice. Your sisters are napping.” She places her finger across her lips.
“My sisters are in their twenties. It is the middle of the damn day. Why are they napping?” Clenching my fist, I flail my arms and threaten to kick the table.
“You’re being childish, Charlotte. Just take your father’s help.” She sits and gazes at me with an air of frustration.
Grabbing my purse, I fling it over my shoulder and head to the foyer. “No. The hell with him and the hell with you, too.”
She clutches her pearls.
“You could help me if you wanted. You could tell Daddy to back off and let me find my own job, but you won’t dare risk him decreasing your expense account.” I scowl as I swing the door open.
“Charlotte! What do you want me to tell your father? You’re losing your apartment! You’ll be homeless.” She scrambles to her feet.
“Tell him not to worry about me. He’s done making my life difficult, but I’m just getting started on his!” Slamming the door, I dash downstairs and shoot a text to Duncan.
Fine. I’ll marry you. But you’re going to do something for me.
That’s not the way you accept a marriage proposal, my love.
Shut your mouth.
And I’ll do lots of things TO YOU.
For me. For me. Not to me.
I can do both.
As soon as you have full control of your company, fire my father.
He’s on the board. That won’t be easy. But fine. I’ll turn people against him. It will take time.
Promise me.
Yes, I promise.
Then I accept. Do what you need to do. No sex until we’re married.
I don’t agree to that.
I’d prefer to wait. I’m a virgin.