“Good. Dexter’s gone home for now, because of your outburst, but he’ll come back tomorrow. We’re having lunch on the patio and you’ll be there too. We’ll have something to drink together and talk some business.”
We both walked out of the office and I agreed to come. I actually only went along with him, because I didn’t want him to notice what was going on with me and Finn. As the door closed behind us, I sniggered.
***
With the scorching sun shining down upon us, my father and I sat down with Dexter at the white, cast iron table decorated with muffins with chocolate and vanilla toppings, veggie sandwiches and pots with different kinds of tea in it. I slouched down in my chair, yawning, while enjoying the midday sun. It was probably going to be my only pleasure today.
Dexter gorged himself on the food. Gorged was a big word, but it was the truth. He was literally stuffing his mouth with everything he could find, licking his fingers in between.
Bile rose up in my throat. I winced at the sight of him and lost my appetite in the process. Not that I was a big eater anyway. Only Finn could get me to do that.
“So, Dex, how’s business going?” my father said, placing the tops of his fingers onto each other.
An itch ran across my face and I shook my head, scratching my nose. Oh God, he has a nickname for him now? Behind my sun-glasses I rolled my eyes.
“Very good, very good, we’ve actually made a nice profit last night, selling new mobile accessories to a company overseas.”
My father gloated. “Well, isn’t that magnificent, Grace?”
When I didn’t respond and was still looking around, he poked me in the side.
“Yeah, cool …” I muttered.
“Apparently, Dex’s father has—”
“Excuse me Mister Bennett, but I have an urgent message,” Louis interrupted.
“Oh, what is it now?” he said, brows furrowed.
“There’s a gentleman at the gate who wants to talk to you about doing business.”
My father clenched his chair. “Is that all? You’re bothering me for that? Just tell him to get lost or come back later.”
“I’m sorry, Mister Bennett, but he said it was very important and that he had an offer you couldn’t refuse. Something about a marriage and a business proposal worth a couple of six figures.”
My eyes and my father’s eyes widened. “What?” we both exclaimed.
I gaped, my father smiled.
“Okay, he’s got my attention alright. Let him in,” my father said. “What’s his name? I’m curious.”
“The family name’s Wood. His first name is Finn.”
My heart fluttered in my chest and I turned around in my seat. Finn!
From the gate came a huge, black limo. Tires scraped by the tiny stones underneath, the car came to a halt right in front of the mansion and a handsome, tan guy with dark hair stepped out. Finn. He was wearing a suit, but the unmistakable grin on his eye made me take my shades off.
“Hello, Mister Bennett,” he said while walking up the steps.
I stood up, my muscles all tensed, not knowing what to do. Oh my god, he’s here!
“Good day, Mister Wood,” my father said and stood up to shake hands.
“I hope you don’t mind me barging in on your lunch,” Finn said.
I gazed at him, totally zoned out. He looked so nice in his tight, black suit and red tie that was strapped around his neck and he even shaved his stubbly beard. I couldn’t believe he was standing here.
“Oh, no, not at all. I’ve always got spare time to discuss business,” my father said. “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
Finn fished out a card from his pocket. “I’m fairly sure you’re interested in what I’ve got to offer.”
My father’s pupils diluted as he stared at the card, his fingers trembling. It took him a while to get his composure back. “By the way, this is my daughter, Grace.” He pointed at me. “And that’s her fiancé, Dexter.” Dexter got up from his chair, which almost fell down to the ground as he scooted it back so fast, he nearly stumbled over it himself.
Finn looked at me and then Dexter and his lip twitched. “What a fine daughter you have.” Finn took my hand and brought it to his mouth. My heart was going crazy as his lips gently brushed my skin, leaving a small peck on top. “Nice to meet you, Grace.”
“Hi,” I stammered, my skin glowing red hot.
A sly smile appeared on his face. As he let me go, he turned his attention toward Dexter and gave him a firm handshake. Dexter squirmed in his seat.
My father sat down again and coughed. “Please, sit.”
Finn didn’t wait a second, grabbed a chair and sat down next to me.
“So, let’s get straight to business. What’s this offer you’re talking about?” my father said.
“My father owns the largest oil company in the world,” Finn said. “I think we can be of great use to each other. As you might have heard, I’m willing to support your company with a six figure deal.”
My father squinted. “What’s the catch?”
Finn bent over the table, asserting some kind of persuasive posture. “There is no catch. All I ask is your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
I started breathing heavily.
“What? That’s not possible,” Dexter said.
My father shushed him and then looked at me. “Something tells me you’ve got to do with this.”
My head shifted from left to right. What to do, what to say? “I um … I …”
“Her butler introduced me to the idea,” Finn said, helping me out.
“Yeah, Louis snagged him for me. I saw his ad and immediately wanted to see him,” I said. “So I asked Louis to invite him over.”
“Oh, I did?” Louis muttered, standing next to me.
I gave him a sideway kick against the sheens and he winced. “Yes, yes, that’s right. I found Mister Wood and told your daughter this might be a good idea, seeing as you want her to marry and Finn seems fortunate.”
“And willing,” Finn added.
“Are you kidding me?” Dexter said, but nobody responded.
We all looked at my father, who was stroking his mustache. It was quiet for a few seconds. “So, let me get this straight. Louis found Finn, told Grace about it, and she asked Louis to invite him here?”
“Yes!” we all said, in choir.
“What is this?” Dexter smacked his fist on the table. “You can’t be serious about this.”
“Let me think, boy,” my father said.
“No, you promised me,” Dexter said, but my father ignored him.
“Alright. Done. Finn Wood, if you can make my daughter happy and provide a good support towards our common goal, then we have a deal,” my father said.
“That’s absurd!” Dexter threw his napkin on the table.
“Oh, be quiet!” my father said.
“Yes, Dexyboy, please fuck off. I’ve made it very clear I want nothing to do with you. I’ll choose Finn over you a million times,” I said.
Finn looked my way, smiling, and we exchanged a wink. I couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in my stomach go haywire.
“No, this is not alright.” Dexter stood up. “She was mine. We had an arrangement.”
“Hey, I’m not someone’s property, asshole,” I said, clenching my fists.
“I do not remember signing the contract yet and since you haven’t made a very good impression on my daughter, you’re out of luck, kiddo. The deal’s off,” my father said and looked at Dexter.
“What? You can’t do this. I won’t accept this!” Dexter stampeded across the patio. “You’ll hear from me. My father won’t let you get away with this. He’ll wreck your business and turn it to dust!” Dexter walked down the steps of the mansion.
“Tell him I said ‘hi’ and that he can fuck off too, just like you!” I yelped, laughing.
“You’ll regret this; I’ll make sure of that!” Dexter screamed.
I threw him the
middle finger. “Bye, Dexyboy!”
“Dexyboy?” Finn said.
I slumped back down in my seat and turned my head toward Finn. “You don’t want to know. I don’t even want to know. Good riddance.”
Finn smiled, his white teeth shimmering in the sun. I don’t know how he managed to fool my father or where he got the car, the clothes, the business card and the sudden gentleman talk, but it was more than welcome. He was here, his plan was working and we could be together. I couldn’t imagine this day anymore perfect.
Chapter 6
My father wouldn’t let Finn out of his sight for even a second, so we never got some time alone together. I was dying to talk to him about how he managed to pull this off and more; if he was really planning to marry me. I knew he’d said it to my father as a means to persuade him to ditch Dexter, but it was one heck of a leap from fling to hubby. I got cold sweat only thinking about it.
It was my father’s idea to have dinner at the Plaisir, a fancy French restaurant somewhere up town, so the three of us could get to know each other better. Of course, me and Finn were chuckling when we sat in the limo, while he sat across from me and my father sat next to me.
When we arrived at the Plaisir, Finn helped me get out like a true gentleman. I’d never realized he was capable of all this. Finn Wood, the construction worker, the dirty, sexy, hard working ex-convict, now dressed in a tailored suit, hair combed back, slick with gel, escorting me to an expensive restaurant. It was all very unreal.
When we sat down at the table, my father ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate the new deal, or in other words, his big earned bucks. I was sitting next to Finn and had a hard time not sneaking peeks at him, as he looked better than ever. The hint of cologne he was wearing made my senses tingle.
My father popped the cork and filled the glasses to the rim.
“Cheers!” he said and gulped it down.
I tried to do the same, but got a bit lightheaded in the process. Finn squeezed my hand that was on my lap under the table. I almost spurted out the champagne.
“So, Finn, why is it that you want to marry my daughter?” my father asked.
Finn looked at me, his eyes sparkling with passion. “I think your daughter will prove to be a fine wife. Nice, enjoyable, amusing and beautiful.”
I scrunched my lips and smiled. “That’s sweet, Finn.”
My father’s laugh was like a bellow. “Really? She used to be a pain in the butt, not wanting to find a man.”
“Father!” I frowned at him. “I did want a man, actually, just not the ones you presented. I told you I could find a handsome guy with a good background.” I looked at Finn and winked sideways, avoiding the chance that my father would find out.
“And find him, you did.” My father drank another glass of champagne. “So, tell me, Finn, what is it that you do?”
Finn cleared his throat. “Oh, I um…”
“Father, let’s not talk business yet. It’s way too early. Instead, let’s enjoy the French food.”
My father’s lip curled up into a sly smile. “You’re right. My appetite isn’t getting any less as we wait.” He chuckled then flicked his finger to the waitress.“Menus, please.”
The lady sashayed to the bar and brought us fine, leather bound menus. When I opened it, I noticed all the food was written in French, with tiny, English lettering as translation below.
“Looks mighty fine,” my father said. “What are you having, Finn?”
Finn gazed at the pages, his eyes shifting back and forth, to left and right, not lingering on any plate longer than a second.
“I’ll have the …” he stammered, his finger tracing each word.
The menu was wobbling up and down in his trembling hands. I looked at his face, sweat trickling down his cheeks.
Shit, shit shit, I totally forgot! Finn can’t read!
I snatched the menu from his hands. “We’ll have the boeuf à la provencale,” I said and shut both menus. Marinated steak with herbs. Perfect and easy. “Finn likes it when girls are assertive, don’t you? Louis told me.”
Finn blinked a couple of times then opened his mouth. “Ah … Yes, yes of course. I like tasting all kinds of different things.” He exhaled and smiled at me, pinching my hand underneath the table.
I hoped we didn’t have to face any more weirdness tonight and I was glad to get this over with, but something gnawed inside. How could I keep up this façade? I couldn’t and that was the problem. Sooner or later, my father would find out who Finn really was and then shit would hit the fan. All while chewing on the delicious meal, I couldn’t help but ponder what I would do if, or rather ‘when’ it would happen.
***
I was hanging on Finn’s arm as we walked from the gate, through the garden, to the mansion. My father said he needed some fresh air after drinking too much, but I knew he just wanted to smoke and didn’t want his car to smell. So, we had a nice, gentle walk home. I knew I had to say goodbye to Finn once we got to the house, knowing he couldn’t come inside, as my father only knew him for one day, so I savored every second with him. I was continuously staring into his magnificent, green eyes and dreamed about our future, what it would be like, and how we would uphold this charade.
“Welcome back.”
I turned my head to see Dexter standing atop the staircase to my house. His face was red, glasses askew, his tie hung loose and one button of his shirt was missing. In his hand he held a bunch of papers.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I said.
“I told you I would not let this rest.” Dexter pointed at Finn. “You…”
“Shut up and leave, now, or I’ll call the guards on you,” my father said.
“Wait,” Dexter raised a finger. “You have to hear this. Don’t you want to know who that man is, who’s wriggling his way into your fortune?”
I pulled Finn closer, squeezing his arm.
“This had better be quick.” My father squinted.
“That man is a fraud,” Dexter said, pointing at Finn.
My eyes widened. No, he didn’t. He couldn’t have.
“Finn Wood is lying. He’s not rich nor is his family. I have proof right here.” Dexter swayed the papers back and forth, his fingers shaking underneath. “I had to dig deep to find this, but it was worth it.” He held them up in the air. “Look at it!”
The first page clearly showed a picture of Finn, not in his best outfit; scruffy jeans and a dirty, simple white shirt. His stubbly beard present as I was used to. Below were all kinds of numbers and names, dates and other information. A birth certificate. His real job. The place he lived.
My breath caught in my throat. This can’t be real, this can’t be happening right now.
Dexter handed the papers over to my dad, but kept one and held it up, gazing at me. “See this here? This is your future husband.”
On the paper, Finn was pictured, dressed in an orange suit, and in his hands he held a plate with a series of numbers on it.
No!
My father gazed at the papers and the one in Dexter’s hand. His fists crumpled up every last bit.
“Finn Wood is a criminal. He’s a felon. Someone who’s served seven years and did the most horrible thing in the world,” Dexter said.
“Is this true?” my father said, directing his gaze toward Finn.
Finn’s jaws were tightly shut, but I saw his nose twitching.
“Father, please, don’t do this.”
“I said, is this true?” My father was almost hissing.
“Oh, yes, it’s true,” Dexter said, cackling. “He’s a poor, silly, dimwitted fool who’s nothing more than a blob and earns a meager salary from lifting things at a construction site. Nothing to be proud of.”
“Shut your fucking mouth, dipshit!” I screamed. “I’ve seen Finn work. He’s loving, kind, helpful and sweet and he works hard to pay his bills. You just live off your daddy’s money. Finn’s better than you’ll ever be!”
And then I real
ized I just spouted everything there was to know about Finn, which I shouldn’t have known, if we were still upholding the deception. I screwed it.
My father turned around toward me. “Grace? You knew about this?”
I let go of Finn and hung around my father’s arm. “Father, please, I want Finn in my life.”
My father tugged his arm loose.
“Want to know what he did?” Dexter said. “Here. I’ll tell you. He’s a sleazebag who was convicted for killing his own father.”
My pupils dilated and I turned around to face Finn. “What? Finn, is that true?”
“Yes,” he said, his teeth barely separating.
“You invited a prisoner into our home? Grace, how could you?” my father said, clenching his fists.
“I like Finn, father. I want to be with him.”
Dexter laughed. “Are you kidding me? That guy is only after your money. He’s a criminal who should be locked away forever.”
“Shut your damn mouth,” Finn suddenly blurted out. His nostrils flared. “I did my time. I earned my freedom. You, however, deserve nothing at all,” he pointed at Dexter, who cowered at his finger.
“And Mister Bennett,” Finn directed his gaze at my father. “I offered to love your daughter for all she’s worth without asking anything in return. I’m sorry I lied. I’m not rich, I can’t read and I’m an ex-convict, but I can love your daughter more than any other dude you pair her with and I thought that would be enough. I’m not after your money, I just wanted your daughter to be mine, that was all.” He exhaled loudly.
“But you killed your own father?” I asked, my legs quivering beneath me.
“I told you what I was and where I came from. I have nothing to explain myself for. Believe what you want to believe. Dexter here has all the facts, doesn’t he? You can believe him if you want, like I care.” Finn turned around and started walking toward the fence.
“Finn, wait!” I said, but stayed put, not knowing what to do with this information and after all that happened, I was stunned.
Finn only waved and left.
I looked at my father who was stroking his mustache. “Grace, you—”
Doing It Risqué (New Adult Erotic Romance) Book 2 Page 4