Daddy’s Angel by K.A Knight

Lexi

Ihave on some string panties and a bra, the ropes crisscrossing over my body and framing my curves enticingly. I can’t wait for him to strip me out of it later.

Under the sophisticated dress he bought me, I’m all sin.

They bite into my thighs as we drive towards my surprise. My tight white dress glitters with what looks like diamonds. It stops just above my knees with a snug top and cinched waist, and the flared skirt hangs down like dripping diamonds. Tyler told me to wear it earlier and left me to get ready. The bodice glitters, the material skimpy and held up by spaghetti straps. I have on diamond earrings and a necklace he bought me, and my makeup and hair are done so I look, in his words, ‘good enough to eat.’

“Tell me,” I whine, looking over at him.

He laughs and shakes his head as I huff.

“Fine,” I mutter. “Better be good.”

“It will be worth the wait,” he promises, leaning over and kissing me when we stop at a red light. “Trust me, Angel.”

Five minutes later, we pull up outside Zodiac, the first restaurant we went on a date to. In fact, the first place I realised this was more than sex, and I frown but get out. He takes my hand as he gives the keys to the valet, but I feel him shaking slightly, making me stare at his profile in concern. What’s going on? Why all the secrets? The dramatics? The door opens for us, and we head inside, my head clouded with questions as nerves fill me.

Music wafts to me, a slow, loving beat that has me smiling. I love this place, but is this really the surprise?

However, when I look around, my confusion only grows. It’s empty. The whole restaurant is empty except for us.

“Tyler?” I ask, when my eyes catch on the rose petals on the floor leading into the restaurant.

“Better follow them, Angel,” he murmurs, and lets go of my hand.

I give him a look before doing just that, walking alongside the trail on my white heels as the petals wind through the empty restaurant—right to the table we sat at on our first date. The one in front of the flowers with the glass ceiling. Nothing is on the white tablecloth under the stars…except a ring.

It’s in a velvet Cartier box, and the rock is so huge, I bet you could see it from the sky. It sparkles with an inner light, and the white band is inlaid with smaller yellow stones. I gulp as my heart skips a beat, my head screaming at me not to get my hopes up, but when I turn, I find him behind me.

He’s on his knees, his face hopeful, his dark eyes locked on me. Tyler takes my hand, which is shaking, and kisses it tenderly. His dark gaze is filled with hope and so much love, it staggers me.

“Angel, this seemed like the perfect place to ask. It’s the place I realised that you were my forever, that I loved you so much, I wanted to marry you. This is where we were always meant to end up, no matter how hard the journey was. I’ve made some mistakes, but I will spend the rest of my life making up for them…if you will have me?”

“Tyler—” I start, but he smirks, silencing me.

“Lexi, you are the love of my life. The woman I have been waiting for. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, discovering what love and happiness really means. If you will have me… Angel…will you marry me? Will you be mine forever?” he asks, his voice shaking. He swallows as he waits for me to answer.

My heart skips, and tears fill my eyes. “Yes,” I whisper before dropping to my knees. “Yes!” I almost scream, throwing myself at him.

He catches me with a laugh, and our lips meet in a desperate, happy, hopeful kiss before he helps me to my feet and grabs the ring, sliding it on my finger and kissing me again. My heart explodes with such happiness, the strength astounds me, and it all starts with him. Just then, claps and cheers sound, and I turn, crying and laughing, to see the restaurant staff all watching, along with my friends and Tyler’s friends and family. I didn’t even see them come in, too consumed by the man I’m going to marry.

His arms wrap around me as he kisses my cheek. “I love you so much, Angel, and I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”

I turn to him, grinning wider than I thought was possible as my heart soars. It doesn’t even feel real to be this happy. “I love you too, so much. How did I get this lucky?” I murmur, blown away.

“You? Angel, I’m the lucky one. I get to spend every day waking up with you and every night in your arms,” he replies, leaning down and kissing me, showing me with that one touch just how much he wants this.

Wants me.

The next hour is a rush of congratulations, jokes, laughter, and pictures. When we finally all sit down for a meal, Tyler and I are at the table by ourselves as everyone drinks and celebrates.

As I stare at the ring in shock, I can’t help but laugh. Who knew I would end up marrying the man who was my ex’s dad? If he was still alive, I would be his stepmom. The thought sends a twinge of pain through me at the memory of his loss. Not for me, but for Tyler. But now is not a time for sadness, it’s time for happiness.

It’s a place for possibilities and so much love that it feels like it might explode out of me.

“That’s not the only surprise, Angel,” Tyler promises, kissing me. “Finish your dessert, I have somewhere to take you.”

* * *

I could barely finish the cake, too excited with whatever he has in store for me. I’m staggered, I’m engaged. I’m going to get married. I always knew this is where we would end up, and I’m okay with it. Over a year ago, I couldn’t imagine getting married, and now I couldn’t imagine not marrying this man. We said goodbye to everyone, and they watched me with knowing looks—it seems I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s coming.

I’m ready…I’m excited for my new future with him.

As Mrs. Phillips.

He drives through the night, heading out of the city with his hand on mine, the huge ring sparkling even now. He leans over and kisses my cheek as we race through the hills and into a locked, gated neighbourhood. He slows down then, crawling through it, passing bigger and bigger private houses, until he stops at a huge iron gate at the end.

“Tyler, what?” I ask, confused. “Where are we?”

He grins, and when the gate swings open, he revs and pulls through. It shuts behind us, and we drive up a winding driveway. Trees line either side with lights shining up through their canopies. We turn into a circular driveway, and he stops before a mansion which is lit up.

To the right is a four-car garage, which is all closed up. To the left, I spot a huge garden, but it’s the house that steals my attention. It’s huge…and fucking beautiful.

He gets out, and I turn in confusion. “Tyler,” I hiss, but he opens my door and offers me his hand.

“Come on, fiancée,” he teases.

I put my hand in his, and he helps me from the car, kissing me again as he leads me around to stop in front of the house. “Where are we?” I question.

“Home, Angel, we’re home,” he offers.

I turn, looking at him with my mouth open. “You bought this?” I whisper.

“Angel, please. I built this for you. Before we even got back together.” He wraps his arms around me, his dark eyes looking down on me, filled with love. “I knew you would come back to me, I knew you were the one. This is our new home, this is your home. I love you so much, and I wanted to show it. Now, shall we go inside, future Mrs. Philips?” he teases.

I nod mutely, unsure what to say, and he chuckles, kisses me, and pulls away before leading me across the gravel drive and up the huge marble steps to the wooden double doors. I can’t help but smile when I see the wings as door knockers. He pushes them open, and we step inside. The brightness blinds me for a moment as I look around.

Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, dripping diamonds. The floor is a grey and white marble, leading to two winding staircases, and between them, hung on a wall, is a giant painting of an angel.

Of me.

I can’t tear my gaze away from it, even as Tyler tugs me farther in, but I’m frozen on the spot. Is this really my life? I look to him to see he’s concerned as tears fill my eyes. A girl like me doesn’t belong here, but God I want to.

“Angel?” he murmurs in confusion, stepping closer.

“I—” I croak, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “I don’t belong in this neighbourhood or house.”

He scoffs and pulls me closer, pinching my chin. “You’re so fucking wrong, Angel. I bought land in this neighbourhood before it even built up. You belong here, you’ll see. Trust me, I will never lead you wrong, and I will kill anyone who has anything negative to say. Now, no tears, go and explore your new house, and then come back and show your daddy how much you love it,” he commands.

His words settle me, and the panic recedes, changing to pure excitement. He laughs as I kick off my heels and rush down the hall past the stairs and into the kitchen. There are more chandeliers here, and it’s perfect. The table on the back wall is raised and made of wood, with eight grey high back chairs surrounding it. Behind it are two open doors framing the table. To the right is the kitchen, which is huge, with brand-new modern fittings. It has lights under the grey cupboards. The island is grey and matches the floor, and the fridge a double door fridge, making me shake my head. It has everything you could imagine for a kitchen and more. It looks like something out of a catalogue.

Not that I will cook unless Tyler makes me.

I rush to the windows on the back wall, which are floor to ceiling and allow me to see outside. There’s a patio with a grill and a table. Then there is a pool past that, surrounded by sun beds, a huge oval chair, and rattan sofa. There is also a bar with angel wings on the wood.

Shaking my head, I turn and tread through the rooms of the house. He’s done an amazing job. Down below on a separate level is a conservatory with a music and dance studio for me. It has a music system and everything imaginable. He thought of everything. There’s a state-of-the-art gym, and two living rooms down here. Upstairs is a huge master bedroom with window seats that look out over the backyard. The king-sized bed is already made and so comfy, I want to jump on it. The furniture is tastefully done, and honestly, I couldn’t have chosen better myself. It screams luxury and comfort.

The en suite is massive, with a jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower. It has two sinks and lit up mirrors above them. More chandeliers are in here, black this time. I can’t even speak as I back out of the room and check out the other doors up here. Each one I open sends more excitement and shock through me. He built this…for me. Each room screams of his influence, and he remembered everything I ever mentioned about a house, down to the little details.

There are four spare bedrooms, as well as an office for Tyler, two more bathrooms, a cinema, and so much more.

Everything is done in shades of grey and black with pops of yellow, and I can barely breathe as I rush back downstairs, stopping at the bottom to see Tyler there, waiting. The open front doors are behind him as he smiles at me.

“Like it, Angel?” he asks. “You can change anything—”

I throw myself at him. He catches me, laughing, as his hands go to my ass. “I love it, and I love you,” I declare. “I can’t wait to start our lives here, husband.”

He groans. “Fuck, that’s so hot on your lips. Let’s break in the rooms, starting down here.” Laughing, I let him carry me away.

My heart soars, my wings holding me to my love.

As I stare into his dark eyes, my heart skips a beat. I got so lucky to find a man like Tyler Phillips. One who loves me for me, and so deeply, I feel it with just one look. I had to fight my way here, but God, it was worth it. Even without the big house and expensive jewellery, I wouldn’t care. Yet here we are in a huge mansion he built for me… Fuck, we could live in one room, and I would be happy.

All I want is him.

Forever.