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In his tight blue jeans and cobalt blue polo, along with his hair tousled from riding over in the convertible he’d just insisted on purchasing for little old me, I thought him the sexiest man alive.
“Moi? Never.” I jumped off the table with my glass in my hand, spinning in a full circle before returning to the space in the front. I envisioned the many incredible things that I’d enjoy in the house, the colors I’d paint the interior.
He wasn’t far behind, allowing me to take my time. “Is it suitable?”
“Hmmm… I think it might do.”
“You brat.”
I rushed to him, throwing my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“A deal is a deal.”
“That’s not all this is to you. Is it?”
As I pulled away, he sighed. “No, baby. I just want you to be happy. Even if I do expect you to keep up with your duties at the offices.”
“Oh, yes. There’s that.” I was still vice president, although both Braxton and Gage would assume the crucial positions within the expanded company, my father staying on as a highly paid consultant.
My mother was happy.
And I was talking again with my father.
He’d had tears in his eyes when he’d arrived at the hospital, terrified that I’d been seriously hurt. How sad it could take a crisis for families to figure out what was most important to them.
“Now, I have the best designers and contractors on standby to handle altering your upstairs office as well as anything you need. You’ll have room for tables over here and here,” he said as he walked away from me, pointing to the incredible areas in front of the picture windows. He was right. I would expand with fancy coffees and teas, maybe some frozen drinks for the summer. But my main gig would be the most delicious cupcakes in the business.
“I love it. And I love you.”
He seemed shocked I’d said the words, although I had before.
Just like he had, although he’d never admit it.
But I’d heard him when he’d dragged me from the burning car and to the hospital. And several times since. He was a tough man whose armor was hard to break through, but the sweetness and gooeyness inside was exactly what I needed.
And worth the effort of peeling away all those layers.
“You are going to be my wife and not just for a year. Forever. That’s it. I won’t take no for an answer. Do you understand me?”
Unable to help myself, I saluted him while I answered. “Why, yes. Sir.”
He shook his head slowly and advanced like a predator, lifting me off the floor and swinging me around. He’d finally told me what he’d almost done to Timothy, his anger nearly getting the best of him.
I was thankful his brothers had intervened so we could have a future without him in prison.
Although… Timothy was a piece of work. He’d gone to great lengths to sabotage his boss while acting the dutiful employee and learning his craft well.
I had no idea how long he’d been plotting but he’d easily manipulated the other board members through blackmail.
A part of me felt bad for them. The other? Not so much.
They were idiots with dirty little secrets.
I knew it was a tactic Valerio had used and would likely use again. Still, I’d taste the softer side of the hot man.
“You are one beautiful cupcake.”
“So,” I mused as he let me down. “Where are we going on our honeymoon?”
