I sat up, not knowing what to say. He had talked to my grandma last night, and she'd given him the ring? He stayed on his knees next to the bed, me looking down at him.
"I had planned to do this differently, to give you flowers and use poetic words. Something a woman like you deserves."
"A woman like me?" I asked, not understanding what he meant.
"A duchess."
"Your duchess," I corrected, making his eyes grow possessive.
"I may not have a castle to put you in, but I'll build you one if that's what you want."
"I'd be happy being your duchess anywhere you put me, Dr. Davies Miller. If you asked."
"I'm trying, baby," he teased, making me smile for the first time all day. This was what my grandma was talking about. She didn't care about all the things my grandpa gave her.
It was just being with him. I realized what she was getting at, and I didn't care about it either. The idea of going back to the giant family estate wasn't appealing.
I wanted to stay right here in Dr. Davies Miller's house for the rest of my life.
Dr. Davies Miller grabbed my hand, his rough fingers running along my knuckles before he slid the ring on me.
He leaned up to kiss me, his mouth taking mine possessively like never before. This one was claiming, like he was trying to leave a mark on me for the world to see.
Desire shot through my body, and I tried to pull him closer to me, wanting his body against mine. Just as I had this thought, he broke the kiss and rubbed his cheek against mine, both of us breathing heavily.
His beard was rough against my soft skin, and I leaned into it, loving the feeling.
"None of that tonight, baby. You need to sleep."
"You said you'd give me whatever I want." I tried to pout, but he turned me over, facing away from him as he came crawling in behind me, wrapping his arms around me. He pulled my back to his front as he spooned me, and I closed my eyes at the feeling of safety.
This was something we'd get to do for the rest of our lives, and I felt another smile pull at my lips.
"Sleep," he whispered in my ear before placing a kiss on my neck.
"You didn't even ask me to marry you."
"Nope," he said, and wrapped his arms around me even tighter. I had a feeling a lot of things with Dr. Davies Miller were going to go like this. He wanted something and he took it. It should make me mad, but all I did was smile and drift off to sleep.
Dr. Davies Miller
Once I knew she was asleep, I slipped from the bed, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. Damn, I was going to love having her in our bed every morning before I went to work. I'd leave her warm in our bed, knowing she'd be here when I got home.
I may not be able to give her a castle like I told her, but she'd never go without.
The life we're going to have together, I'd do anything to have, and no one was going to mess with my girl.
These little games were so beyond over. Done. They kept trying to take her from me, and now I was going to be the one doing the taking.
Her grandma left her to me, and I was going to make sure she was cared for like she should be. I knew the next few days were going to be rough, and I didn't want anything making them any harder than they had to be.
I was going to make sure a few people stayed out of our way.
They'd done enough damage.
She'd spent the last two nights crying—last night because of some lies someone told her, and tonight because of her grandmother. The first night was all their fault, and that kind of behavior wasn't okay.
I changed my clothes and grabbed the keys to my bike, rolling it down the driveway so it didn't wake Sheryl White when I started it. She finally passed out, and she needed her rest to make it through all the details of the funeral.
When I got far enough away, I flipped my phone open, calling Dr Dan.
"Yo," he said over the heavy beat of dance music. He was probably at some bar, chasing tail.
"I need you to watch my house for an hour."
"On my way." The line went dead, and I knew he'd be there quick with no questions asked. Of course it was a matter of his beloved godsister.
I hopped on and started the engine, the chopper roaring to life. I headed across town, one location in mind, knowing Dan would make sure no one bothered my girl while I was gone.
It didn't take much for me to figure something wasn't right.
It started at the hospital when the doctors were directing all their questions at Sheryl White and Dan while their father stood off silently to the side.
I was a little surprised he'd shown up to the hospital at all, but how would it look if the Mayor hadn't? Everything to him was about looking good in the public eye. He was good at hiding the awful things he was involved in.
I hadn't paid much attention to the Mayor before now because I hadn't had a reason to.
As long as he stayed out of my way I didn't care. I'd often wondered how he got elected, but the simple answer was money, and now I was starting to question if he had any.
I knew he married into Sheryl White's family, but I didn't know how much control he had over it.
I was really starting to suspect he had none.
Things like making Sheryl White marry Sam Peterson, his right-hand man, were really starting to make sense now.
I didn't understand why he was so determined about it, going so far as to threaten his own daughter if she didn't.
Yeah, I could see a guy like him not wanting her to be with the local Doctor, but pushing her into marrying a certain man was outdated, unless he needed to control her.
It seemed he'd been doing that with Sheryl White's grandma to a certain extent.
I had a feeling some things were going to be coming to light very soon.
This shows a significant shift in the relationship between Sheryl White and Dr. Davies Miller. Sheryl White, despite her initial anger and confusion, is clearly overwhelmed by Dr. Davies Miller's sincerity and her grandmother's blessing. The emotional weight of the day, combined with the comfort and security Dr. Davies Miller offers, leads her to implicitly accept his proposal, even without a formal question.
She finds a sense of peace and belonging with him that she never experienced in her own family's grand estate.
Dr. Davies Miller, for his part, is now completely committed to Sheryl White and fiercely protective of her.
He is resolved to take control of the situation and confront those who have caused her pain, especially her father.
He suspects that the Mayor's motives for forcing the marriage with Sam Peterson are financially driven and tied to his perceived lack of control over Sheryl White's grandmother's estate.
He is determined to uncover the truth and ensure Sheryl White's safety and well-being.