Arrested By Love (5 page)

"We've been dating, and necking and petting, but we aren't moving anywhere. You never take me to your place. We just sit in the car, fondling and getting each other so worked up until I am ready to scream." His eyebrows arched up at that because she had actually screamed a couple of times when he'd pleasured her, except that wasn't her point. "So, what is it exactly that I am to you? Just some girl you can pick up and play with a bit on the weekends? Or do I mean something more to you?"

His eyebrows came low and together, a sure sign he was beginning to lose patience with her. "What do you think, Tiffany?"

Yeah, he was angry. Then again, so was she. She wanted more, but he seemed happy to just keep doing what they were doing until they were in their shawls and rocking chairs. "The point is Kyle, I no longer know what to think about what you want out of this relationship, which is why I am asking you."

He sat up straighter then, and looked down at her. Their height difference was just enough to make her back down anytime he used it in a slightly intimidating manner. And the glimmer of anger that currently shined in his eyes, had her immediately slinking back down in the seat and lowering her gaze to the floor. She was such a coward when he displayed a little muscle, because she knew the power behind those arms and the firm strength of those hands--intimately.

Finally, he reached out and tilted her chin up so she would look at him. "So, tell me, my spoiled little rich girl. Do you think you could live on a cop's salary?"

That got Tiffany's attention right away. Was he asking her to marry him? She thought for a moment, then answered with a touch of asperity, "This isn't the early twentieth century, Kyle. I do work, and make a pretty good salary myself."

"That's nice, honey. But, do you think I'm going to want you to work after we get married?"

Tiffany thought her jaw dropped to the floor with that question. "This is the twenty-first century, Kyle. Don't you think it's time you crawled out of your dark little cave and came into the light of women's equality?"

He bent closer, and his eyes were so intently focused on her, she felt like he was seeing into her mind. She immediately shrank back from the simmering anger she saw reflected in his gaze. Tiffany wasn't scared he'd hurt her. Not really. But her tightly clenching bottom definitely respected the dominance he held over it. "Do you want children, Tiffany?"

Puzzled, she gave a slight shrug. "Yeah. Someday. Maybe after a few years."

His eyes remained fixed on her face "How many?"

"Um, kids?" she asked more than a little uncertainly. At his nod, she said, "Two or four, I guess. I hadn't really thought about it."

"Well, I have, little girl. It is all I have been thinking about lately, and I do not want you working and trying to raise my kids at the same time." When she opened her mouth to refute his possessive pronoun, he added. "I've seen what double-duty like that does to women, and I do not want that for you. But I do want kids. Lots of them. If you only want four, I could live with that, even though I'd really like to have a lot more. So, I'd like to start as soon as possible." When her eyebrows rose at that, he gave her another nod. "Yes. Perhaps now you understand. I earn around 60K a year. That's nowhere near the 250K your dad probably makes. For us to maintain a household with children, we would have to scrimp to save pennies. Cut costs where we could. If you want to work until you're pregnant, I'll let you. However, the moment your doctor confirms your pregnancy, I would expect you to turn in your resignation and concentrate on taking care of yourself for our baby."

That was the second time in under five minutes that Tiffany felt her jaw drop. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she beleaguered the fact that she'd fallen completely for a stupid, dominant, alpha male who appeared stuck in the Stone Age.

Though his gaze had not shifted from her face for a second, Tiffany knew him well-enough by now to realize he was waiting for her to process what he'd just said. She pulled away slightly and straightened her back .

Dropping his hand from her chin he asked again, "So, do you think you could live on a cop's salary?" Then waved that question aside and asked, "Do you even think you could manage to live on a budget?

Tiffany honestly didn't know how to respond to him. She was furious he thought he could be so high-handed with her, expecting her to simply roll over and let him do it. However, it also pissed her off to acknowledge that he could and she would. But to have him think she couldn't be as fiscally responsible as he was, irked her to no end.

Not sure which bothered her more, his high-handedness or his low opinion of her, she replied to the one that hurt her pride the most. "Look, Fred Flintstone, I'm not Wilma. I can work and take care of a family at the same time. As for managing my money, I can live on whatever budget you give me, and have money left to spare."

He looked doubtful at that statement, and she really couldn't blame him. She'd never had to actually control her spending before. If she wanted something, Daddy gave it to her. Not a ringing endorsement for financial conscientiousness by any means. And being the smart-assed male he was, he took her up on her challenge by telling her if she could live for one month on the amount of money he set for her, and at the end of that time actually show him how she had saved the remainder of her salary, without going to daddy for help, he'd ask her to marry him.

As a proposal, it sucked big time.

Kyle decided that Tiffany should be able to manage on $150 a week. She didn't have to pay for food or rent, so the money was meant to cover her lunches with the girls, and whatever other fripperies she wanted. He considered it more than generous. Except for Tiffany--the dollar figure he'd set was a supreme challenge. Used to spending more like $500 a week, this budget of his put a major crimp in her lifestyle.

So, sitting down in her room, Tiffany made a list of what she considered to be her essential weekly expenditures: the hair salon, nail salon (manicure and pedicure), one pair of new shoes that usually went on sale during her one afternoon a week at Burman's Department Store, where she also dutifully purchased her make-up, perfume, lacy lingerie and at least one new outfit.... Oh God. Even if she stopped there, she was already twice over her $150 a week budget. So, what to trim back? She decided most of her curtailed spending would have to come from her Burman's trip. The rest were simply too necessary for her to give up without feeling she was letting herself go.

Still determined to at least try to meet Kyle's challenge, she watched her spending carefully only to discover that the first week she'd tried to manage her money, she ended up spending $50 over her supposed allotment. Feeling like she failed Kyle in some way, Tiffany cried about it, but was totally honest with him when he asked.

"I'm sorry. I really was trying," she sobbed out against his chest as he held her close and rubbed her back.

"It's all right, Tiff. Don't cry, honey. I'm not angry." Then tilting her chin up, he kissed her until she finally settled down and stopped weeping. "I don't expect you to be perfect. However, I do expect you to take this test seriously, that is if you seriously wish to marry me. So, perhaps you can redouble your efforts and spend only $100 next week."

Tiffany took that warning to heart.

When she totaled her money for the second week she discovered she was $100 over budget, which when added to the $50 last week put her $150 over for the month so far. Tiffany just couldn't face Kyle and tell him she'd failed again. His disappointment in her would eat away at her self-esteem and make her feel terrible. From his reaction last week, she suspected he wouldn't get angry, but he would give her a lecture on the necessity of frugality as well as suggest she didn't seriously wish to be his wife. And that was one lecture she didn't want to hear. So, she gathered up her mad money stash, to see if she could make it up that way. When she discovered only $75 in her envelope, she knew that wouldn't work. Realizing there was no hope for it,, she went to see her father.

"Daddy, Kyle and I are conducting a little test."

"Yes, I know, pumpkin. He told me."

"Well, Burman's had a sale on this cute little dress that I really, really loved. So, I got it, and now I'm over budget--again."

"Gee, that's too bad. I suspect Kyle's going to be very disappointed with you."

Yeah, she knew that, too, which started to make her cry.

"Come here, pumpkin," her father said, opening his arms to her. "Shh. There's no need to cry about it. I'm sure Kyle will understand, though he may insist you take that dress back."

"But, I can't do that," she wailed "I've already worn it on one of our dates, and accidentally spilled some wine on it."

"I see," he said patting her back. "The problem is, pumpkin, I think Kyle has a very good point. It's past time you learned to manage your money. Daddy won't always be there to bail you out when you get into trouble."

She looked up at him with tears streaming out of her eyes. Her father had never refused to give her money before when she needed it. And now when she needed it the most, he was going to back Kyle. "But, Daddy, I'm afraid."

Her father looked concerned. "Of what, pumpkin? Are you afraid Kyle will hurt you in some way?"

"No. I'm afraid he'll say I'm too irresponsible now for him to consider marrying me. And that means I'd have to live with you and mom--forever." Hugging her father she gave another mournful wail.

She could feel her father's chuckle as he hugged her. "I really doubt Kyle would be that strict with you, Tiffany, and I think you owe it to him to be completely honest."

She nodded. "I've got two weeks to make it up, Daddy. I'll be really careful. Can't you help me out just this once?"

Patrick Morgan sighed, then reached into his pocket. "You know how much I hate seeing you unhappy, don't you? And though I really think you should face Kyle with the truth, I will help you. But just this once, Tiffany. And I expect you to make up the difference over the next two weeks. Understand me?"

"Yes, Daddy," she said very submissively as he handed her the $100. Her father really was a pushover when it came to her needing something, though Tiffany still loved and respected him. Reaching up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Daddy. I really, really, really appreciate it." Then she smiled at him, so he shook his head and gave her chin a little pinch.

"Yeah, I know you can wind me around your little finger, pumpkin, but I don't think Kyle is going to be that easy for you to manipulate. And though I'm sure he loves you very much, he could get really angry with you if you lie to him about this," he warned her as he gently wiped away one of her tears. "I'm not totally blind to your shenanigans, darling. And from what I've noticed, after a few of your interactions with him when he obviously felt you needed a bit more than a scolding, I really don't think you want to test him on this. Men are funny in that way. They can forgive a lot. However, a lie is something that is very hard for them to excuse."

"I know that, Daddy," Tiffany said, loving her father for his concern.

"Good. I caution you to tread very carefully on this one, darling. I don't want to see you get hurt, but I have to say I'd back whatever punishment Kyle thought you deserved if he caught you in this lie, even though I'm partially to blame for it. So, think carefully about what you really want to do here, Tiffany."

"Yes, sir, " she answered knowing he was right, except she really didn't think she had any other choice. Kyle was such a stickler about certain things that he could refuse to marry her until she could pass his test. Unfortunately, given her record over the past two weeks, Tiffany doubted this was a test she could ever pass. And she didn't want to lose Kyle over something so trivial in her mind. However, thanks to her father, she was back in the black again. Though she couldn't say she was proud about what she was doing, she did feel it was somewhat justified. After all, even after they got married, Daddy would be around to help them if they needed it, despite what he'd just told her.

So, when Kyle asked how she'd ended up that week, Tiffany lied, then felt extremely guilty about it. She'd never actually lied to Kyle before. About anything. So, she found herself avoiding his direct gaze as much as possible. From the way he gently asked if she had something to tell him, Tiffany was pretty sure he suspected she wasn't being entirely truthful with him. However, when she smiled and assured him everything was fine, Kyle told her how proud he was and then showed her his appreciation in a far more tangible way. Tiffany went to bed that night still a virgin, but a very happy virgin.

The next week, despite her best efforts to make up the difference, she was still $25 over budget, making her $175 over budget for the month so far. Angry with herself for her lack of success, she simply dipped into her private stash. She didn't mind losing the money, it was the potential of losing Kyle along with his respect that bothered her.

Then she gave herself a pep talk. One hundred seventy-five dollars was not a tremendous amount. She'd worked really hard to come down from her usual $500 a week expenditure. If one looked at it that way, she'd done a pretty good job of managing her money after all. Feeling more than a little pleased with her progress, she put her failure out of her mind.

However, this time when she lied about her week's activities, she felt even guiltier given the way Kyle effusively praised her. She got so upset with herself over her deceit, she almost failed to come when he used his oh-so-talented tongue to bring her to orgasm. She could tell by the way he carefully regarded her that he was suspicious something was up. Usually Tiffany practically came when Kyle just crooked a finger at her. So, for her not to go totally limp after he'd pleasured her was not only unusual--it was unheard of. Seeing his frown, and wanting to avoid any questions, she brightened her smile and pretended all was right with the world.

When, by the end of the fourth and final week she was short again, she was feeling thoroughly depressed and cried in her room for her failure. Her overage wasn't very high this week, only $35. But when added to her deficit, even that small amount put her $210 over for the month. And that made Tiffany feel sick to her stomach. Though she was able to make up the difference again with her private stash, her accomplishment felt hollow. She'd failed Kyle, in a sense, and had made things worse by actually lying to him. Except she was in too deep now to tell him the truth.