“I understand why you feel—“
“You don’t understand anything,” she spat. “Coming here, strutting around like a king with his peasants, making a big show. I can see right through you, Mister.”
Red wasn’t ruffled. He seemed even calmer, if that was possible. But his expression was deadly serious. “It seems to me that you think Nicole is very fragile.”
“I think she’s young, and impressionable, and that someone like you can easily take advantage of her.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he said.
Her mother’s eyes widened.
“But do you really think that disapproving of me and insulting our relationship is going to change any of that?” he finished.
For the first time that Nicole could remember, her mother was stunned. But it only lasted a fraction of a second and then she was back on the attack. “You’ll move on, just like you’ve done before. I’ve seen the models and actresses on your arm. There’s a pictorial history on the web, and the girls are as interchangeable as your fancy suits.”
“Mom, stop,” Nicole said. She could barely speak, she was so mortified.
“I’m just trying to protect you.”
“Barb, it’s enough,” her dad said.
“No, she’s right,” Red said. He turned to Nicole. “I have been with a lot of women, and I’ve been shallow. I’ve been a cretin, someone a mother would want to keep far away from her daughter.”
Nicole shook her head. “Don’t. Don’t say that.”
“Until I met you, Nicole.” Suddenly he was reaching in his jeans pocket. He produced a black velvet box. And then he was down on one knee, opening it for her to see. There was an enormous, beautiful diamond ring glimmering inside. “Nicole, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
She nodded at him, laughing and crying all at once at the absurdity of it, and the perfectness of it. “Of course I’ll marry you,” she said.
And then they embraced.
***
Needless to say, the drive back to New York City was different than the drive to her parents’ house had been.
“I can’t believe it,” Nicole said, staring at the huge ring on her finger. It gleamed and sparkled whenever they passed a streetlamp or the moonlight caught it just so.
This ring costs more than my parents’ house, I bet.
Red grinned at her. “Your mom couldn’t believe it either. Did you catch the look on her face?”
“No, I was too busy being in shock.”
“I bought that ring the day I met you,” he told her.
“No.”
“It’s true. I knew then that I had to have you in my life forever.”
She stared out the window at the passing scenery, feeling content for the first time in her life. Then she thought about her apartment, Danielle, work. What would happen with her life now that she was marrying Red Jameson?
“Everything’s changing, isn’t it?” she said softly.
“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”
“I’ve never even seen where you live,” she cried, realizing how crazy it sounded. “We’re getting married and I’ve never been to your house.”
“I’ve never brought any woman I dated to my house,” he told her, “so you’ll be my first.”
She concentrated on her breathing and closed her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned now.
“I think…I think I’m having a panic attack.”
Red laughed. “You’re fine. Don’t think about the future, don’t let it overwhelm you. Just be here with me.”
She realized he was right. It was silly to dwell on what might be. They would take care of it one step at a time.
She snuggled up against him and laid her head on his shoulder as he hugged the curves in the road and brought them back to the city, where they belonged.
When they finally got back to New York City, it was late. Red glanced at her. “I should take you home.”
“Which one?” she asked.
“Ours.”
She laughed. “This is going to be interesting.”
“You have to understand. Everything I have is yours now,” he told her.
He was serious and she nodded, understanding how much it meant for him to give up control of anything, let alone half of his life. His empire that he’d built from the ground up.
“I want to go to the apartment first,” she said.
“Which one?” he asked, grinning.
“The fun one. The one without a crazy roommate watching everything we do.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” he said, and the car picked up speed.
A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of the building. There were still the same group of hookers down the street plying their trade. The same busy convenience store across the way.
Red opened his door and looked at her. “Are you ready?”
She smiled at him. “I’m definitely ready. I’m yours, for you to do with whatever you please.”
He nodded. “For as long as we both shall live.”
FOR HIS TAKING (FOR HIS PLEASURE, BOOK 2)