Chapter 12

Dexter went inside and, seeing Douglas, asked if he knew where Roxie was. Being told she was in the kitchen, he headed there.

He found her leaning against the table with a glass full of whiskey and a bottle next to her.

“Getting drunk won’t solve anything.”

“It can’t hurt,” she said, picking up another glass, pouring whiskey into it, and handing it to him.

“I told Joseph there was no way I was going to marry him. That prick had the nerve to threaten my father if I didn’t.”

She set her glass down to wipe the tears that started to flow. “I can’t let him destroy my father.”

He put his glass down next to hers and put his hands on her shoulders.

“Your father is a billionaire, and there’s no way Joseph can harm him financially or ruin his business. Your father is well-known and respected by many. You don’t have to marry him. I won’t let you.”

She looked at him all teary-eyed. “You won’t let me? Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“You have?” she asked, staring into his eyes as a smile crossed her lips. She let out a moan when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

She didn’t bother to ask him why when she knew that at any moment someone could walk in. When he let go of her, she had to tell him how she also felt.

“I love you too.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t want to hide how I feel about you any longer. When your father comes home, I’m going to tell him.

“As for your dinner with that jerk, you can just tell him you’re not going.”

She smiled, looking up into his handsome face. “I already did, and I also let him know I’ll never agree to be his wife.

“I’m going to tell my father how Joseph threatened him and how he was trying to bully me into marrying him. I think I’ll head upstairs now.”

“Make sure to lock your bedroom door behind you.”

“You could come with me, spend the night in my room.”

“I really want to, but I have some reports to go through. I’m reading over everyone’s statements about all that has happened to you.

“There has to be a clue in there as to who is doing this. The sooner we find the bastard, the sooner we can move forward.”

“All right, but if you change your mind when you get tired, you know where to find me,” she said, reaching up to give him a kiss goodnight.

He went to his room and started going through everything he had. He was lost. There were several suspects.

Claudia, but what was in it for her to see Roxie dead? The only thing he could think of was that she might be able to talk Thomas into tearing up the prenup if his only heir was dead.

Then there was Carson, who appeared to have a crush on her. And he was at the office when she was poisoned.

Then there was Cathy, who went with him to get the coffee that day. But what reason would she have?

But what about Ronald? He honestly didn’t think it could be him. No way would he threaten her out in the open the way he did. But then again, the police still hadn’t found him.

Last but not least was Joseph. But that too didn’t make sense, since he was determined to marry her.

Feeling frustrated, he got up and poured himself a stiff drink. He knew he had to find out who was behind the threats before she really got hurt. He picked up his phone and called Chad.

“Hey buddy, I need a favor from you. I want you to find out everything you can about the following people.

“I also want you to run a check on Thomas. Check out the death of his first wife and also on his second wife.” After giving him the list of names, he hung up and got ready for bed.

He was just about asleep when he thought he heard something. He got out of bed and threw on a pair of sweats and went out into the hallway.

He could hear Joseph banging on Roxie’s door, telling her to open it.

“I don’t think she wants to be disturbed, so go back to your own room.”

“I just want to talk to her.”

“You can talk to her tomorrow, downstairs.”

Joseph poked him in the chest. “You want to know something? The last time I was here, before you came along, she opened the door for me, and we spent an incredible night together.

“She was like a wildcat. Couldn’t get enough of me. Looks like I’ve been replaced,” he said, pushing past him and heading to his own room.

Hearing that she slept with him really pissed him off. Yes, he knew he was jealous.

He had no right to be. He had been with other women, and he knew she wasn’t a virgin and had been with other men. But still, it angered him.

He was about to walk away, when the door opened, and she stood there.

“You slept with that prick?”

“What?” she asked, backing away to let him enter.

He closed the door behind him. “Why didn’t you tell me you slept with him? No wonder he thinks you’re both a couple. God, I’m just a fool.”

“Dexter, it was a long time ago, and it was just once. You can’t be mad at me. It’s not like you haven’t been with other women.

“For the record, we were never a couple, and how dare you be mad at me. It’s not like you’ve told me about all the women you’ve been with.”

When he stood there scowling, not answering, she got mad. “Get out, just get the fuck out.”

He grabbed her, pinning her up against the wall. “God, you’re sexy when you’re mad,” he said, but when he went to kiss her, she turned her head over to the side.

“If you think you can talk to me like that and then kiss me, you have another think coming. Now get out of my room.”

With his one hand, he pinned hers above her head, his mouth going to her neck as his free hand moved down her body and under her nightgown and between her legs.

Moving her panties to the side, he used his finger to stroke inside her. Hearing her moan and feeling how wet she was becoming got him excited.

Releasing her hands, he pulled her nightgown down and fondled her breast. He moved his mouth over hers, kissing her passionately. “I want you so bad,” he groaned when their lips parted.

“I’m yours, all yours,” she said, pulling down his zipper and pushing his pants down.

He kicked away his pants, stripped her of the nightgown, and carried her over to the bed and laid her down. His body was on fire, his cock hard and throbbing as he got on top of her.

She opened her legs wider, took hold of him, and placed him inside her.

When they were done, he moved off and onto his side, pulling her into his arms.

He’d been so consumed with anger and lust that he knew he was a bit rough with her, and he felt bad that he didn’t do more to satisfy her.

“I’m so sorry.”

“What for?” she asked, lifting her head to look at him.

“I let my anger about thinking of you with him cloud my mind, and I was being rough with you. I hope I didn’t hurt you.

“This isn’t like me. I never get jealous. But with you I feel I could kill anyone who touches you.”

“I didn’t think you were being rough. I thought you were very passionate. I think a little angry sex is hot. And it felt amazing. Maybe sometimes I like it a tad rough.

“You didn’t hurt me. It just added to the excitement. I do love you, and I will never cheat on you. You can trust me, as I trust you. Will you stay with me tonight?”

“Yes. And after I talk to your father, I will move my things in here. That is, if it’s all right with you.”

“You know it’s all right with me,” she said, snuggling up into his arms. She felt so warm and safe with him. She just hoped her father would understand.

When she woke up, Dexter was not in bed, so she got up and showered, figuring he had already showered and was downstairs.

When she got to the bottom of the stairs, Douglas was coming from the living room.

“Miss Greene. Good morning.”

“Morning. Have you seen Mr. Sinclair?”

“Yes, he’s in your father’s office, using the fax machine.

“There was a call for you, Miss. Mr. Carson Miller asked me to tell you that your dress is ready and he will be sending it over sometime this afternoon.”

She clapped her hands together like a child on Christmas Day. “Oh, that’s wonderful news. I can’t wait to see it. It’s one of my own designs.”

“Congratulations, Miss. I’m sure it will be a hit.”

“Thank you, Douglas,” she said and hurried to tell Dexter. She was so excited to see her creation, and she knew her father was coming home today.

Though she was a bit nervous about telling him about Dexter and herself.

After all, he could be a bit of a snob, and since Dexter wasn’t as wealthy as they were, he might frown upon the relationship.

But she didn’t care. She loved him for who he was, not for what he did or didn’t have.

He looked up when he saw her walk in, and he smiled. “Hey, you look happy.”

“I am. I was just told my dress was being delivered today. I can’t wait to see it and for you to see me in it.”

He closed the door, pulling her into his arms. “And here I was thinking it was me that put that smile on your face.”

“Well, that too, but I’ve been waiting for this like forever. It’s my own creation, and it could be the start of having my own line.

“When I wear it to the party and everyone sees me in it, they are going to be so impressed.”

“Do you think it’s wise to be seen in a place where there are going to be so many people? It’s going to be hard protecting you.”

“You can’t ask me not to go. I think my father is going to announce that he’s making me a partner in his company. I’m sure he’ll have extra security put in place. Plus, you’ll be there.

“This is going to be a very important night for me, so please don’t ruin it.”

There was no way he could deny her this. He would have to be more careful. He would call in some of his own guys that he knew for backup and make sure he stuck to her like glue.

“All right, but you must stay close to me and do as I say without question.” The smile she gave him melted his heart. Not even his ex had made him feel the way she did.

Now that he thought about it, maybe he hadn’t really been in love with her, other than the thought of being married and having a family.

“Whatever you tell me to do, I will, without an argument. Now, I’m starving, so let’s go have something to eat.

“I don’t even mind seeing that witch and Joseph, now that we have decided to tell my father about us,” she said, giving him a kiss that got his buddy hard.

Walking into the dining room and seeing Claudia and Joseph talking, and that they’d already started eating, Roxie didn’t care. She was way too happy to let them get her down.

“My, you look happy this morning,” Claudia said to her, eyeing them both suspiciously.

“I am. It’s a great day. My father is coming home, and the dress I was working on is completed and will be delivered today, in time for the party.

“So nothing you can say or do will spoil my good mood.”

She looked over at Joseph. “As for you, I will be telling my father that I will not be marrying you, so don’t even bother to threaten me or my father, or he will destroy you.”

Joseph smiled at her. “My goodness. Someone has grown a backbone overnight. The day will come when you agree to marry me. I’m willing to wait.”

He turned to Claudia and asked, “Would you care to join me for a swim later on today?”

“I would love to, and maybe Roxie will join us. I’m sure if we relax and have a nice chat, maybe you and she can come to an arrangement.”

“What kind of arrangement?” Roxie asked, wondering what she was getting at.

“An arranged marriage between the two of you, one that would benefit both of you.”

“Oh my God, Claudia. How many times do I have to tell both of you I’m not marrying him? Nothing is going to change my mind.”

“What if I were to tell your father you’ve been sleeping with your bodyguard?”

Both Roxie and Dexter smiled at her. “Go ahead, stepmother. Tell him.”

She didn’t know how the witch found out, but it didn’t matter since they had both decided to tell her father that they were in love.

She also decided that if he was opposed to them being together, she would leave his home and leave with Dexter, if he wanted her to.

She was even willing to give up her place in the company to be with him. That’s how much she loved him.