Chapter 37: Chapter 37

LEXI

Later that day, when Daniel said he was on his way to pick her up, Lexi rushed to the bathroom to check herself. Now he was here, leaning against his sleek SUV.

The suit-and-tie CEO had left, leaving the bad boy in his place. Daniel wore a leather jacket, close-fitting jeans, and snake-skin loafers. The bastard even wore sunglasses.

“Hi,” Lexi murmured as she approached.

“You’re in big trouble, young lady. Gloria called me with a dozen complaints.”

Despite the harshness of his words, Daniel smiled, making Lexi feel warm and fuzzy inside. She walked into his arms, and he kissed her softly on the top of her head.

“I’m sorry,” Lexi apologized, even though she didn’t really mean it. She felt that Gloria deserved her wrath ten times over. “I lost my temper. I don’t usually act like that.”

Daniel chuckled lightly. “The whole world hates me right now because of Camille, but I could care less. I guess we are becoming the couple that’ll roast anyone who messes with our happiness.”

She hugged him tighter, a bright smile forming on her face.

“Let’s go get some food,” he said. “I want to spend quality time with you today.”

Lexi looked up at him with wonder. She could hardly believe this was the same man who spoke so disrespectfully to her when they first met. It almost seemed like another life.

***

A little while later, they were at Monty’s, a restaurant by the marina in Coconut Grove famed for its quick bites, when Lexi heard a familiar voice call, “Fuzzy.” She looked up to find Reece and her business partner, Chris, standing a few feet away.

After Lexi and Reece hugged each other warmly, Reece and Daniel exchanged pleasantries. But Daniel and Chris only stared at each other.

Lexi looked from one tall, handsome billionaire to the other. “Am I missing something?” she asked.

Chris finally looked at her and said, “Be careful of this one. I’ve known him forever, and he never takes anything or anyone seriously.”

Reece and Lexi looked at each other in confusion.

“Guess you’re angry at me too about your sister. If it makes you feel any better, she started it. I haven’t slept with her in more than a year; she only said all that to ruin my relationship with Draya.”

“My sister can take care of herself. She’s used to your come-and-go nature. But I’m sure Fuzzy couldn’t survive a heartbreak from you.”

As Daniel took Lexi’s hand and pulled her to his side, she felt she should give him an explanation. “We met the other night when I went to Target. Then I found out he’s in business with Reece.”

Daniel turned back to Chris.

“Draya is my girlfriend…and I love her. I’ve never said that about anyone, not even as a joke. You say you know me, so you can at least believe that.”

Chris looked conflicted. He clearly believed Daniel but felt defensive of his sister. Eventually, he just said, “Don’t hurt her.”

Daniel tightened his grip on Lexi. Looking into her eyes, he promised, “I won’t.”

Just then, Reece made up an excuse and pulled Lexi to the side. “What the fuck are you wearing?” she asked angrily when they were out of earshot.

Lexi had forgotten all about her sweatpants and tank top.

“I’m sorry. I thought he would hang out with Josh or go to his office or something when he came back, but instead he came straight to the clinic to pick me up. I didn’t have time to come home and change.”

“Don’t you dare let yourself go out like this again. The man loves you, yes, but the side effects of love have a fucked-up way of messing everything up if you’re not careful. It’s like a flower: you have to water it, put it in the sunlight, give it attention, etc. Whatever all that means in a relationship.”

Reece reached out and pinched Lexi’s arm.

“Ouch!”

“Don’t let yourself go because he said he loves you. Make him gasp every time you step out of the house for a date. Have I taught you nothing?”

When Lexi just rubbed her arm, her best friend continued, “You’re coming home with me to change right now. I’m not playing with you.”

Lexi didn’t have the energy to argue, so she nodded and walked back to Daniel.

“We agreed to spend the day together, right? Does that include me staying with you overnight?”

Daniel nodded.

“In that case, I need to go home and freshen up.”

He nodded again.

Reece didn’t wait to hear anything else. She grabbed Lexi’s arm and pulled her toward the parking lot.

***

Reece pulled her best friend like a woman on a mission. Feeling as if her arm was about to be ripped from the joint, Lexi whined but was continuously ignored. Daniel followed them.

When they reached a white, convertible BMW, Reece finally let go of Lexi’s hand. The expensive car had Belle etched on the red leather of the driver’s seat and Aurora etched on the front passenger’s seat; four other princesses were etched into the backseat. The license plate read, “Princess Draya.”

Lexi’s eyes shot to Daniel, then back to the car.

“Are you kidding me?” Her voice broke as tears began falling from her eyes. ~Why the fuck would you buy me a car?~

“Your boyfriend is a good guy,” Reece said. “He told me he never wants you to take the bus anywhere ever again. I thought he meant he’d be picking you up and dropping you off; I didn’t expect the hot car. He also asked for my help to pick out new clothes and shoes for you, which I did today while you were gone. You’d better be grateful, or I’ll be really pissed.”

Lexi flew into Daniel’s arms, and he spun her around in circles. When he set her down, he used his fingertips to gently dry her tears. The soft touch of his hands sent shivers through her body.

Since when did such a simple act bring her soul such fulfillment?

Lexi kissed him long and hard.

“You didn’t have to do this.” Quieter, she added, “I was planning to give you all of me anyway.”

Daniel chuckled, then whispered so only she could hear, “Good to know.”

Her face turned red, but not because of what he said—because he pinched her nipple through her clothes.

Daniel led Lexi to the car. Her car.

“I put a lot of effort into the customization,” he said. “The sales guy thought I was buying the car for a teenager and was shocked when I told him it was for my girlfriend.”

Lexi flushed as he continued, “Reece told me you have your license already. It’s fully insured, but I still need to see you drive before I can trust you alone behind the wheel.”

Daniel reached down to pull up the lever that opens the trunk. He led her around, showing off the bags and bags of luxury clothing, shoes, and jewelry safely tucked inside.

“Also, we’re going on a trip tonight. My dad wants to meet you, and I have damage control to do.”

Lexi stared at him, her smile fading. “What? No. I have school.”

“I’m a benefactor at your university, Draya; I already took care of it. You’ll do classes online for now. You’re almost done earning your degree anyway.”

Lexi scratched her head as she tried to come up with an excuse. Not that she really wanted to object. But she didn’t want to sound too easy.

“Um…”

“Bitch, you’d better not say ‘no,’ or I’ll hit you,” Reece threatened. Lexi had almost forgotten that her best friend was there.

In all the articles she’d read on Miami’s bad boy, none ever said that Daniel introduced a girl to his dad or made arrangements for her classes or bought her a car. A customized vehicle at that.

In his own way, Daniel was proving his attentiveness and devotion to Lexi. He came to see her first after flying back to Miami, though he could’ve gone anywhere else, seen anyone else. He even defended her against a woman he’d known long before they met. Since he made the commitment, he hadn’t given her any reason to doubt him.

Lexi couldn’t ignore all of that. She just couldn’t.

She glanced around. At some point, Reece had left them alone. “I’ll go if you promise not to buy me anything else. I love spending time with you, and I’d love to meet your dad, but no more gifts. This is more than enough. Thank you.”

It showed on her face that she was grateful for the gifts he’d given her. But it was even clearer that she loved him and wanted him all to herself. Gifts or not.

Daniel’s face lit up, and he took her in his arms and kissed her. Again.

Melting like butter in his strong embrace, Lexi said, “And you have to promise that I can study while you’re at work.”

He nodded. “I promise. I just don’t want to leave you behind ever again. I missed you too much. This is our life now. When I travel, you’ll go with me; if there’s anywhere you need to be, I’ll go with you. Agreed?”

She nodded and smiled brightly. “Agreed.”

Another kiss sealed the deal.