Chapter 9

Ava

I can't stop staring at myself in the mirror. Never in my life have I felt this... beautiful. My hands glide over the soft velvet of the dress, down my stomach, and over my hips. I've never worn a dress where the slit goes this far up. What if I move the wrong way and end up flashing everyone?

My long blonde curls cascade down over my shoulders, covering the slight cleavage that's on display. Thoughts of what Roman is going to think when he sees me fill my mind, and I smile.

I really hope he likes how I look.

When he gave me everything today, the first thing I wanted to do was turn it all down. But the look in his eyes told me he enjoyed spoiling me. With anyone else, I would have said no thank you. But when I'm with Roman, I'm someone else. Someone free of any stress or worries that typically come with living in the real world. I'm someone who can enjoy myself, my body, and the feeling of letting go. So, if Roman wants to spoil me, I guess I can let him, just this one time.

My fingers brush along the pearl necklace while the other hand plays with the earrings. If I were to come into possession of something of this value a few weeks ago, I would have pawned it all. I can't even imagine the worth of everything I'm wearing.

"Ava, hurry up! Our driver is going to be here in fifteen minutes," Tasha shouts from the living room.

"Shit," I mutter, my eyes darting to the last thing I need to put on.

I still can't believe he asked me to wear a remote-controlled vibrator. To a dinner with his daughter, nonetheless.

As fucked up as it is to say such a thing, the idea sends a thrill through me. It's the rush of doing something new and exciting. And the need to please Roman is strong. He gave me an order, and I should follow through, right?

I know if I didn't really want to, he wouldn't be mad. Only... I do. So, I grab the toy that I've already cleaned and pull my dress to the side. I slide it into place, and my brows pinch at how odd it feels.

When I'm done, I stand there for a moment. Okay, it's not too bad.

Heading towards the door, I change my mind on that last statement. It moves when I move, and if this damn thing falls out of me and onto the floor, I will flee town and go into hiding.

I'm not wearing any underwear because it would be too noticeable with this dress. I'm regretting that now.

"Holy shit, Ava," Tasha gasps when she sees me. She, too, is dressed up. A stunning silver dress hugs her body with her hair in a fancy updo. Her makeup is a lot like mine: smokey eyes and red lips.

"Is that a good ‘holy shit', or a bad one?" I laugh as she gapes at me.

"Good. Definitely good. Damn, babe, you look fucking smokin'! Where the hell did you get that dress?" Her lips turn into a sly grin. "Did your sexy, rich, older gentleman buy it for you?"

Guilt spikes through me, but I quickly push it down. "Yes." It's not a lie.

"Well, he did good. You look amazing."

"And you do, too," I answer back.

"You don't think it's too much? I mean, we're just going to dinner with my dad."

"I think you look amazing," I tell her. "And didn't you tell me this place is like, super fancy?"

"You're right." She nods. "Anything less, and they would turn their noses up at us." She rolls her eyes. "But the food is amazing. I can't wait."

One of the things Tasha and I have in common is our love for food.

Tasha gets a text that the driver is downstairs, so we grab our clutches and head out the door.

"I can't believe your dad sent a car. I could have driven us there," I tell her when I see the sleek black car waiting for us.

"Babe, I love you, but there's no way the valet would have accepted your car," Tasha says. "And it's not a town car. It's Jeremy, my Dad's driver." We slip into the back of the car. "Hey there, Jeremy."

"Hello, Miss Knight. How are you, my dear?"

"Oh, call me Tasha. And I'm doing amazing. How are you?"

"I'm good. As always."

"You remember Ava, don't you?"

"Of course." He smiles in the rearview mirror. "Hello, Miss."

I give him a polite smile, trying not to focus on how the toy inside me has shifted, feeling extremely weird in its new spot. "Hi."

The two of them chat as I sit, looking out the window, wondering what's going to happen tonight.

When dinner is done, am I going to go back with him? How would that work? He asked to see me every night this week, does this dinner count as tonight's visit?

I hope not. This morning wasn't enough time with Roman. And I spent the whole day thinking about seeing him tonight.

The more I think about the fact that this week is almost halfway over and my time with Roman is close to being done, the more I start to panic. I'm not ready to end this with him. Maybe I knew deep down I never would be.

My feelings for this man have amplified.

I think I might be in love with Roman Knight.

I'm so fucked.

***

Standing outside the restaurant, I take in a shuddering breath. Nerves flutter in my belly as I take in the building. It's a classy black building, but nothing that screams wow.

"You ready?" Tasha asks.

"Sure." I plaster on a fake smile.

"Babe, are you okay?" she asks me. "Everything is going to be fine. My dad is awesome, you know that. And he's excited to have you come."

I swallow down a surprised laugh. I'm sure he would be glad if I came .

"He asks about you all the time."

"Really?" My brows rise.

"Yes. Come on. I'm starving. And he's paying, so we can order whatever we want."

"Okay, let's go."

She loops her arm through mine as we head into the restaurant.

The outside might not be anything to get excited over, but the inside? Holy shit, it's nice. Really nice. The walls are black, and all the furniture is a deep brown. Everything looks modern yet classic. And very expensive.

"Hello. Do you have a reservation?" the hostess asks as we approach the stand. I feel like I'm staring, but I can't help it. She's so elegantly beautiful. If she weren't waiting at the hostess stand, I would have thought she was one of the guests. She's wearing a tight black dress that hugs her curves. Her hair is down like mine, in long raven curls. From the looks of it, she's older than us, but not by much.

"Yes, we're here with the Knight party," Tasha responds.

The hostess nods. "Follow me."

We follow her through the restaurant, and my eyes drop to her feet. She's rocking a pair of six-inch heels. I could never. Mine are two inches at best.

Finally, I pull my eyes away from the woman, almost regretting it immediately because when I look beyond her, I see him.

Roman Knight rises from the table, a handsome smile on his face that has my belly in knots and my core clenching around the toy, reminding me that it's still inside me.

God, I can't believe I'm doing this.

"Here you go," the hostess says, walking us right up to the table. "A server will be by in a moment." I don't miss the way her eyes linger on Roman. But Roman isn't looking at her... he's looking at me.

My heart pounds in my chest as we lock eyes, and I don't miss the heat in his stare.

"Hey, Daddy," Tasha greets her father. My eyes widen slightly at the use of the word. God, I just called him that last night.

"Hi, darling." Roman kisses her cheek, then hugs her, flashing me a knowing grin at where my mind just went. They break from the hug, and Roman pulls out a chair for Tasha. Once she's seated, he comes to stand next to me. "Ava." My name comes out friendly, but the flash of hunger in his eyes tells me a whole different story.

"Mr. Knight." The greeting easily gives away how nervous I am.

"Please, call me Roman," he insists, then lowers his voice. "Or Sir." I swallow hard as he pulls me into a hug. His lips brush against the shell of my ear. "You look utterly divine tonight, Princess," he whispers in a low, husky voice. "Good enough to eat. Shame, you're not on the menu." This man, ugh. This man is making me blush, radiating enough warmth to compete with the sun, and my belly heats like a volcano. When he sucks my earlobe into his mouth, giving it a little nibble, I have to choke down a whimper.

I can't hide the shiver that takes over my whole body, though. When he pulls back and steps away, he gives me a smug smirk before turning to pull out a chair for me like he did for Tasha.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"Of course."

Roman pushes my seat in before taking his own. The table is set up for three, giving it more like a triangle shape instead of being seated directly beside one another.

If Roman wanted to, he could reach over and touch me.

And that's exactly what he does; as if he can read my damn mind. My whole body stiffens as Roman places his large, warm palm on my bare leg. I suck in a breath as he slowly brushes my inner thigh with his pinky.

Licking my lips, I keep my attention on the menu in front of me, cursing my hands for shaking. God, I'm starting to sweat, too. This is so bad.

"So, Tasha, honey, how is everything?" Roman asks his daughter as if his hand isn't slowly inching up my thigh.

My heart pounds in my chest as I try to read the menu. Tasha answers him, telling him all about her job and the new guy she's seeing. Thankfully, I already know all about her life because I can't make out what's being said over the blood rushing in my ear.

"How about you, Ava?" Roman squeezes my flesh for a quick second, causing my eyes to snap up to his.

"W-what?" I ask, blinking rapidly.

He smiles, a smooth, husky laugh shaking his chest. "I asked how your life is going?" He gives my thigh a squeeze, and I almost let out a moan. Fucking hell, this dinner is going to be just that, pure hell.

"It's good." I swallow thickly and clear my throat. "Work is good. Long hours."

"You're working at the diner still, right? How do you like it?" He moves his hands up further. My core clenches as he brushes the tips of his fingers against my bare pussy. A brief flash of surprise fills his eyes before it turns into a simmering heat.

"I like it. It's hard, but I love my regulars."

He nods."How about your dating life?" he asks bluntly.

"Dad," Tasha hisses, but he ignores her, eyes still on me.

"What about it?" I ask, sitting up straight while trying to act as if his fingers aren't brushing against the toy between my legs. A small smirk forms on his lips as he sits back in his chair, removing his hand and looking proud. He likes that I listened, that I wore the vibrator as he instructed me to.

I wish I didn't because I'm already too nervous and oddly turned on. As soon as he turns that thing on, I will cum. I know it. And I just might die if I do.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

I lick my lips, thankful that the lipstick I'm wearing is smudge-proof. "Kind of."

"And by kind of, you mean..."

"Dad, that is oddly personal," Tasha grumbles, shooting me an apologetic look. It's me who should be sorry. My poor best friend has no idea the underlying meaning of his words.

"It's okay." I smile at her and turn back to Roman. "I'm enjoying my time with someone. He's not my boyfriend, but we've been having fun."

"Oh, really?" He nods. "Fun? How fun is he? Does he treat you well?"

"He does." I look back down at the menu and jump when I feel his foot kick mine. He gives me a look that tells me he doesn't like me looking away from him when he's talking to me.

"That's good. You deserve a man who can give you the world. I'm sure he will."

"Oh, I don't know about that. It's nothing serious."

"Do you want it to be?"

I stare at him for a moment, my heart racing so fast I feel like I'm going to pass out. This is it, this is my chance to tell him how I really feel without having to deal with the rejection afterwards. "I do," I whisper, and he leans forward in his chair. "But I don't think he feels the same way about me as I do him."

A flash of anger takes over his handsome face before he looks down at his menu. I'm quick to do the same. I feel like I'm going to be sick; my nerves have turned into a full-blown tornado inside me. My palms are sweating, and I can feel my pulse throughout my whole body.

The waitress comes by and takes our orders. I get a steak with mashed potatoes and a salad.

"If you both will excuse me, I'm going to use the washroom," Roman says as soon as the waitress leaves.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry about him," Tasha is quick to say as soon as her dad leaves the table. "I promise, he's not always that... pushy? It's weird. God, I don't even know what's up with him tonight."

"It's fine, really," I reassure her. "It's been years since we've seen each other. I'm sure he's just wanting to see how I am."

"Maybe, but those questions were pretty personal." She laughs. "Kind of sounds like when he grills me about my dating life. I think he always kind of saw you as his own daughter, you know? We have been best friends most of our lives."

Oh boy, if only she knew just how much he did not see me that way.

Tasha, thankfully, switches the subject and starts talking about her boyfriend. I sit and listen, wondering what's taking Roman so long.

That's when I feel it. My whole body stiffens, and I bite the inside of my cheek as a low buzzing starts up.

My breathing picks up, nostrils flaring as the heat in my lower belly grows. He's using it; he fucking turned it on! As I'm talking to his daughter. I'm going to kill that man.

But before I can plot out his murder in my mind, he turns it up. My whole body curls in on itself as the toy vibrates against my needy clit.

"Oh god." I can't hold back the groan that slips free as an orgasm hits me like a punch to the gut. My pussy spasms around the toy like it's Roman's cock.

I suck in a breath as the toy shuts off.

"Are you okay?" Tasha asks, concern strong in her voice.

"I'm okay." I try to steady my breathing, my body still tingling from the brief but powerful climax. "Crap. It's my lady time, you know."

"Oh shit." She gives me a pitying look. "I'm sorry, babe. I know how bad they can get for you. Do you need something for it?"

"No, no, I'm good." I wave her off, sitting up straight and praying that the asshole doesn't turn it on again. If he does, I'm rushing to the bathroom to take the damn thing out.

"Are you sure?"

I feel like shit right now, like the worst friend ever. I hate lying to Tasha. She's totally going to kill me when she finds out I'm sleeping with her dad.

"Sorry that took me so long, got a work call," Roman announces, taking his seat at the table.

My eyes dart to him, but he's looking over at Tasha. So I stare daggers into the side of his head.

I haven't even checked to see if anyone else around us may have heard; they probably have, and I'm already dying of embarrassment.

I'm not sure I want to know what the hell else Roman Knight has planned for this evening.