Chapter Eight: One Night of Surrender

I am meeting my father for a drink. He wanted to see me, and I have no idea why. He doesn’t randomly want to meet for a drink. It makes me wonder, waiting here, if something is on his mind. I can’t even think straight. It was last-minute; I had plans with Alyssa. She has a surprise for me tonight. She’s my everything. I promised I wouldn’t be long, and I meant it. I will have a drink with my father, see what he wants to talk about, and then go back home to her. She was fine with the last-minute change since it was my father.

I arrive at the bar he asked me to meet at. It’s within walking distance from my place, anyway. I head inside and spot him at a table, a place set for each of us. I head over.

“Hey, Dad,” I greet him. He stands to give me a quick hug before we sit down. I take a sip of my scotch.

“What is going on? Why did you want to meet last minute? Is everything and everyone okay?” I ask, a little worried in case it’s something serious.

“Why didn’t you tell us Alyssa was your assistant?” he asks.

“Fuck! How did they find out about that? Why is everyone so damn nosy?” I exclaim.

“Because I didn’t think it was important,” I shrug.

“Of course, it is. You shouldn’t be dating an employee,” he sighs.

“I know that, but Alyssa is different. I didn’t plan on us happening. It just happened.”

“You need to be careful. I thought you knew better. She’s great, but out of all the women you could have, why her?”

Alyssa is incredible. No, I probably shouldn’t have started something with her, but I did, and I don’t regret it. I have never met anyone like her. I trust her with my life. She is the one woman who knows my entire story and doesn’t judge me.

He seems taken aback by my words. “What do you mean, your entire story?”

She knows everything. I told her. And having her there with me helps with the nightmares. If you have brought me here to tell me to end it, that isn’t going to happen. I am happy with her, the happiest I have ever been in my life. I answer honestly.

“Oh, wow, we didn’t realize you were so serious about her. You need to be careful. People will talk and not be happy with your choices.”

I know he’s concerned for me, but there’s no reason to be. “Yes, it is that serious. I know the risks that come with it, but she’s worth it.” I smile.

He nods and smiles back. “I am glad you are happy. I just wish she wasn’t your assistant. Maybe it would be best to find her a place in another part of the company.” He suggests.

I shake my head. “No, that’s not happening. She’s staying put. You don’t need to worry about me. I can handle anyone who doesn’t like it. Alyssa is the only person I want to be with, and nothing will change that. How did you find out? Does Mom know?”

“A friend of mine heard about it. No, she doesn’t, but I think you need to tell her before someone else does. She will be upset if she hears it elsewhere and realizes you have been lying to her son.” He says softly.

I am happy he’s understanding. “I promise I’ll tell Mom. I will arrange a lunch with her later this week.”

“Okay. Thank you, son. I appreciate that. You really told her everything?”

“I didn’t go into detail, but she knows what happened. She has been a great support for me. Even when the nightmares wake me up, she sits up with me until I calm down and makes sure I get back to sleep. I don’t know what it is about…”

He takes a sip of his drink and smirks but doesn’t say a word.

I raise my brow at him. “Why are you smirking like that?”

“Na, reysan,” he shrugs.

I don’t believe him. It’s something. Does he realize something that I don’t?

“I don’t believe you. What is going on in your mind?”

“If your mom picks up on how strong you are feeling, she will be planning your wedding,” he laughs.

“Way too soon for all of that,” I chuckle and shake my head. “What we have is incredible, but I am not rushing into anything. We are happy with how things are between us. No pressure, no future plans being made. What we have is perfect for now.”

He smiles. “Okay, the main thing is that you are happy. She must be special if she is helping with your nightmares when nothing else has. She must make you feel secure and safe.”

She does. I expected her to run when I told her, but she didn’t.

“Well, no matter where it goes in the future, all that matters is right now.” I change the subject of conversation. I have shared enough emotions and feelings with him for one night. I am not one for opening up, and he knows that. He doesn’t try to bring the conversation back around. We end up talking about business.

I will arrange lunch with my mom in a couple of days. She will be upset, like my dad said, if she finds out the truth from anyone else. I don’t want to hurt my mom in any way. I am not sure if I would be better off taking Alyssa with me? Then again, I am not sure how my mother will react. It is maybe best that I meet her myself to tell her.

I know I said it before, but please, be careful, not only you, but Alyssa, too. You know she will end up getting the worst of it if too many people find out.

“Everyone at the office already knows, Dad. And yes, she’s getting more trouble than I am, but she’s strong, and I am there to protect her. You don’t need to worry about us. We have each other’s backs.”

“Good. Make sure it stays that way if you want to keep your job.”

“We will. I should probably head home soon. Alyssa is waiting at my place.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to take you away from your plans, but I wanted to talk to you about it.”

We finished our drinks and said goodbye, arranging to get together for a guy’s poker night soon. We haven’t had one in a while. I will tell Alyana why he wanted to meet, but not tonight. I don’t want to ruin our plans. She will worry if she knows. I will tell her tomorrow.

I take my cell out to text Alyssa. She told me to text when I was on my way.

“Hey baby girl. I am on my way. I will see you soon xx”

“Yay, so see you soon, I will be waiting and ready for you, handsome xx”

I slip my cell into my pocket. I enjoy the cool air on the walk back to my place. I am eager to see what Alyssa has in store for me. I have tried and tried to get her to tell me, but with no luck. I am impatient. She knows that yet she still didn’t break, even when I used my own talents to try to get it out of her.

It doesn’t take long for me to arrive. I rush inside, but when I step into my living room, the lights are dimmed. I see candles lit, too. What is she up to?

“Alyssa? Where are you?” I call out and take a better look around. A blanket, hangugue, and strawberries are set out on the floor. She doesn’t respond straightaway. I call out once again.

“Alyssa!”

She soon appears in the living room. She has a silk dressing gown on and a pair of stripper heels. She has curled all her hair, and her plump lips are painted red. She looks damn sexy, even more so in the candlelight.

She smirks and saunters over to me, an extra-sexy sway to her hips. She stops in front of me, placing her hand on my chest and kisses me.

“Mmm, hey handsome. I have been waiting for you.”

I reach for the tie of her dressing gown, but she swats my hand away.

“Hey! I want to see what you have on underneath.”

“Then you will get your surprise, but there are rules if you want it,” she says.

“And you will soon. For now, we are going to enjoy some champagne,” she says confidently.

“Rules? I am the one who makes the rules, remember?”

She shakes her head. “Not tonight, you don’t. For one night only. I make the rules. Can you accept that? I promise it will be worth it.” She purrs and dances her fingers over my chest.

I close my eyes and swallow hard. I can, but only for one night. Don’t make a habit of it.

“I won’t, sir. I promise.”

“Good, now what are your rules?”

“You aren’t allowed to touch me or try to untie my dressing gown. If you try, you won’t get to see what is underneath,” she says firmly.

I don’t know what I think of her telling me what to do, but I guess I can give my control away for one night if it means I finally get to find out what her secret is.

“Yes, ma’am. Tonight, I hand all control to you.” I breathe out.

It will be an adjustment. A nice change. She smirks and kisses me one last time before she takes a seat on the blanket. God. I am desperate to know what she has on underneath, especially to go with those damn sexy heels. She could walk all over me with them, and I wouldn’t mind. She pats the spot next to her.

I follow her command and take the spot next to her. She pours us some champagne and pops some strawberries into it, handing me one. I thank her with a smile. I would rather thank her with a kiss, but she said I wasn’t allowed to touch, and I am sure that includes kissing her, too.

“Is everything okay with your family?” she asks, taking a sip.

“We can talk about it tomorrow. It’s nothing we need to worry about tonight. I would rather not discuss my family tonight. It might kill the mood.”

“As long as everything is okay.”

I am not exactly lying to her. Everything is okay, but she does need to know about the conversation. We enjoy our champagne, and I try not to get too distracted by her bare legs and heels. She better not make me wait too long, or I may lose my shit and take her right here on the blanket.

“Curious about what I have planned for you, babe?” she snickers.

“Yes. Please don’t make me wait too long,” I beg.

“I guess you will have to wait and see. It depends if you can behave or not.”

A smug look is present on her face. She is loving this way too much. She is enjoying being the one in control. I get it. It will be a nice change in dynamic for her.

“You are enjoying this, aren’t you?” I chuckle.

She giggles and nods. “Oh, so, so much. I don’t ever get the chance to be in control. I will take advantage of it tonight the best I can because I know tomorrow things will be back to normal, which is fine. I like it like that, but it’s nice for a change.”

She scoots closer to me and kisses my cheek.

“Am I allowed to wrap my arm around you, or is that part of the no-touching rule?”

“You are allowed to put your arm around me.”

I wrap my arm around her, and she snuggles into my side. God. I want nothing more than to dance my fingers along her bare thighs, but she won’t give me one. I will need to be patient until she is ready for me to see what she has in store for me.

She nuzzles her face into my neck. “I am going to drive you crazy in a way you can’t imagine. You will struggle to keep your hands to yourself.” She whispers.

Her breath tickles my neck, and I groan loudly. She snickers and pulls back.

“You love it, handsome. Don’t pretend like you don’t. Let’s finish our drinks, and we can go to the playroom.”

It’s happening in the playroom. I didn’t expect that. I thought maybe the bedroom. I don’t have any complaints. I would spend all my free time in the playroom with her if she allowed me to.

I down my champagne and jump to my feet. “I am ready to go.”

“So impatient,” she says.

I halt and cross my arms over my chest, and she purposely sips her champagne. I tap my foot against the floor. She finally finishes hers, and I help her up. Thank God. I didn’t want to wait any longer to see what she had for me.