“No, Daddy.”
I lean back and lock eyes with her because if I don’t do that, I might start jumping up and down. Two likes closes the gap between the five and seven required likes, and Blakenessa’s fate is sealed. I’m too busy with inward celebration that involves me waving pom-poms to register the fear in her eyes until I notice she’s gone a bit pale.
I’ve nurtured and been comfortable with kinks for a lifetime, but the truth is that name-calling, like Daddy, is a kink, and one that’s not for everyone.
Every kinky soul out there knows we put ourselves at great risk of shaming when we first approach someone with them. I’ve trained myself not to give a fuck what others think, but Nessa hasn’t, and her acceptance of what I want makes it all the more valuable to me.
As does her fear.
It also tells me my instinct about her wasn’t wrong. She’s right for me. I just need to secure my bride and make her pussy bleed. I kiss her cheek. “Good girl.”
“Blake, there you are,” my brother Hudson’s voice breaks our very important moment.
We turn as he comes over and grabs Nessa’s hand. He sees the ring and plants a kiss on the inside of her wrist. I wanna punch him in the mouth, rattle his brain.
According to the ladies, Hudson is sexier than Bishop and me put together, which isn’t saying much in my opinion, since Bishop and I are identical twins. But maybe Nessa agrees with the other women, and I’m annoyed he’s even attending the gala before I secured her hymen.
“I’ll be dammed,” he says and holds her hand still. “So it’s true.”
“What is?” I ask.
“You’re engaged.”
“She hasn’t said yes yet.”
Hudson blinks, then smiles awkwardly, knowing full well the social media will have a field day if Nessa rejects me. He leans in. “Are you doing it for the marketing propaganda?”
“No.”
“I thought it was a done deal when you showed up here with a fiancée.” He looks to Nessa. “Would you excuse us so I can talk to my brother and not speak of you in third person while you're present?
This is all a bit shocking to me, our mother, Bishop, Dad, the rest of the family, associates, etcetera, etcetera. Aisha called it in before you showed up. Thank God for her, or I’d have felt like you slapped me with a wet rag. People came and asked me about it, so at least I knew what to say.”
“Maybe I need to slap you with a wet rag to remind you, and others don’t need to be warned. I owe nobody an explanation. This is between me and Vanessa. Don’t be rude.”
Hudson’s lips pinch. “I sent you to a virgin auction, and now you walk in with a bride-to-be. Don’t tell me not to fucking worry.”
Nessa places a gentle hand on my brother’s shoulder. “I’m not after your money or his money, if that’s what you’re worried about. I sold Blake my virginity, and he’s gonna get it. That’s all.”
“After she agrees to marry me,” I add.
Hudson’s eyes dart from me to her and back to me. “We’re meeting tomorrow first thing in the morning.” He smiles at Nessa. “Nothing personal, peach. You’re lovely, and I’d have bought your hymen ten times over. However, if you harbor malicious intent, when I get rid of you, I’ll make sure it hurts.” He winks. “See you at the table.”
We stand there watching Hudson walk away and join nobody at said table.
“Now you understand why he attends alone,” I say.
“He’s looking out for you.”
“Like you looked out for Jen?”
“It’s creepy you know my sister’s name.”
“Men like me can’t afford mistakes and not know things. You sold your hymen, but I’m giving you my life. I have to know everything there is to know.”
Nessa puts the wineglass down and looks up at me, blue eyes wide and clear and expressive. “Okay, you are dead serious about marrying me.”
“I am.”
