Chapter Four

Roland waited for her in the bedroom and couldn't help but smile. She was so much fun to tease he knew he'd probably do it often.

There was something about the way she acted sometimes. It was like she was trying to sound like a child, and he didn't know why she'd do that. He'd watch her carefully and see if he caught anything. If he did, he'd sit her down, and they would talk.

The air caught in his throat when she walked out of the bathroom. The color of the sundress was perfect for her pale skin, but her dark hair stood out. She was slender but not bony. She had beautiful breasts, and what he'd seen of her body so far made him hotter than hell. Even her feet and tiny toes turned him on. He held out a hand and was pleased when she took it. He led her down the long hallway and tall stairs. He stopped when he came to the door of his father's office.

"Father, I'd like you to meet Laila, my fiancée."

His father looked up, surprised. "You're very beautiful. I think my son is pleased and may even thank me someday."

Roland rolled his eyes. His father came to stand in front of her and held out a hand.

"It's nice to meet you," Laila said softly.

"It's nice to meet you, too."

Warren, his father, looked up at him. "What are you thinking about for the wedding?"

"We haven't talked about it yet," he told his father.

Warren looked at Laila. "Will you want a large wedding?"

She shook her head.

"We'll discuss it and get back to you," Roland said.

"That's fine. Welcome to the family."

Roland led her to his office and closed the door. "Have a seat," he said, pointing at the chair in front of his desk.

When she got comfortable, he started asking questions.

"I want you to tell me if you get overwhelmed, okay?"

She nodded.

"How big a wedding do you want?"

He watched her think about it for a moment.

"Would it be weird not to want one?"

"You don't want a wedding or to get married?" he asked, feeling his stomach tighten.

"The wedding. Can't we just go to a justice of the peace or something?"

His eyes widened. "You don't want anything special?"

"Not really, unless you do."

"I'm a guy, so the simpler the better." He grinned when she snorted. "I could have a family friend who is a judge come here."

"I like that idea."

"Do you want anyone here with you?"

She shook her head. "I don't know anyone here."

"What about your father? He could fly in."

"I especially don't want my father."

He caught the flicker of sadness in her eyes.

"Okay. That's fine. I think mine will want to be there."

"That's okay," she said.

"Do you want a few days to settle in?"

She stared at him. "Oh. I don't know."

He heard the anxious tone in her voice. "Are you a virgin?"

Her mouth dropped open as a brilliant red color covered her face.

"You're not supposed to ask that, are you?" she asked.

"As your husband, I'll need to know."

"But why?"

He sighed. "Laila, if you're a virgin, I want to take extra care with you the first time we have sex. The last thing I want to do is hurt you."

She pressed her lips together and nodded her head.

Roland was surprised by the satisfaction and joy he felt. He would be the only man she'd ever have. He got up and walked over to her, pulling up another chair. He turned her chair to face him and put her legs in between his. Her eyes showed her anxiety, but she didn't flinch from him.

"I'm glad, Pet."

"Pet?" she asked, confused.

"I'm a dominant man, and as such, I sometimes use terms that aren't normal by society's standards."

He felt her tense.

"Dominant? Is that like the whips and chains?"

"No." He smiled. "I don't practice or go to clubs. It's a personality trait I've had my whole life. Most of my friends are like me."

"W-what do I do?"

He tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"Am I supposed to act a certain way and call you Master or something?"

He snorted. "No. I want you to be yourself and call me what you want, unless of course it's disrespectful."

She grinned.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I feel a bit tired but nothing else. The headache is gone."

He nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. I'll want you in my bed the night we get married."

The worry was back in her eyes. "Then let's wait for a few weeks."

He tried not to grin. "Everything's going to be all right. I'm going to take very good care of you."

She softened a bit.

"Is there anything I need to know about your condition?"

She looked perplexed.

"I've been told you had a head injury years ago, and it affected you. Can you tell me how?" he asked.

He saw indecision and something close to guilt in her eyes. His suspicion rose.

"I … I'm not as smart as I used to be." She stopped talking.

"I think you'll be fine here. I'll watch over you."

Her face flushed, and she bit her lip.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" he asked.

She paused and shook her head.

"Okay. I don't want to frighten you, but I'd like to kiss you. Is that okay?"

Her hands shook, and she hesitated and nodded.

Roland cupped her face and brought her closer to him. He scanned her features before pressing his lips to hers. He was slow and easy because he didn't want to frighten her, but the kiss turned hot quickly, taking away his ability to think straight.

Before he knew it, she was on his lap with her legs on either side of his hips, facing him. His hands held her tightly against his chest. Some sound caught his attention, and he guessed it was from him. He raised his head and stared down at her. Jesus Christ. Her face was flush with desire, her eyes were closed, her lips swollen and red.

"You are the prettiest woman I've ever seen."

Roland smiled when she didn't respond, and he couldn't hold himself back from taking another kiss from her. When he felt her start to tremble, he eased her away from him and soothed her by running a hand up and down her back while holding her steady with his other hand. He thought it was charming when she blinked her eyes open and stared at him, confused.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

Laila blinked again. "I … is it … am I supposed to feel like that?"

"If you're lucky and you're with the right person."

"So, we're right for each other?" she asked.

Roland smiled. "I'd say yes. I've never felt like this before."

"Me, either," she said. "But we hardly know each other."

"I always go with my gut," he said. "And it's always been right."

"So, we were meant to be together?"

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. She was so serious.

"Yes. So, this means we should get married sooner rather than later," he told her.

"Why?"

"Just think, Pet. I'll be able to make you feel so much more. I guarantee you'll want my hands on you every chance we get. Your pleasure is the most important thing for me."

He'd bet she had no idea her fingers on both hands were rubbing against his collar, but it was driving his desire higher and making him very uncomfortable.

"I'm scared."

He heard her whisper and felt a pang of tenderness. She was making him feel things he never had before, and he wasn't quite sure he was pleased by all of it.

"I want you to put your faith in me. I know it's a bit early to ask for your trust, but I'm stating now that I will never hurt you. I can already tell you're going to be the center of my life, and although it should scare me, I feel like I've been waiting for you for a long time. Can you do that? Put a little faith in me?"