Page 75 of Risk Taker

He placed her back down and she held onto his arms to stop from tumbling over. “I can’t believe it,” her voice filled with wonder.

“I’m so proud of you.” He kissed her deeply making her knees wobble.

“I could never have done this without you. Your film is the reason I’ve won.”

Ethan dropped his hands on her shoulders and dipped his head to look directly into her eyes. “It’s because ofyou. You finished first in your class and had job offers thrown at you. I was lucky you accepted mine.” He smirked.

Ethan had backed the writer with the amazing script. And it paid off.The Last Manwas nominated for best actor in a leading role, best film, and the category Holly had just won. But he hadn’t picked up a gold statue for his leading role.

“You missed out—”

“You won my movie a freaking Oscar, baby!” He pressed a firm kiss against her lips. “I couldn’t be happier or prouder.”

Her heart swelled in her chest and tears swam in her eyes. “There’s still best picture.”

As they waited until the end of the award show, a text beeped on Holly’s phone. The message from her mother read:

You can’t compare it to the International Hotel Awards, but if it’s important to you, congratulations.

“Not exactly warm and fuzzy,” Ethan said, reading the message over her shoulder.

During the last few months, Holly’s relationship with her parents was mending. To keep her in their lives, they were tolerating her choice of occupation. Although it didn’t mean they changed their minds about the hotel shares. Holly didn’t care about that; she was living the dream with the man she loved.

“That’s my mother’s way of showing affection.” She’d never change, and that was okay because Holly had love and affection in her life every day.

A few minutes later, a previous leading actress winner read the names of the movies nominated. “And the Oscar goes to…” Again, they held their breath as she opened the envelope. “The Last Man!”

They bounced around the tent, hugging, kissing and laughing. “I can’t believe it! I must be dreaming,” Ethan said with amazement.

“A dream you made come true.” Holly beamed.

“We make an awesome team,” he said beaming down at Holly.

“We sure do. Do you regret not postponing our honeymoon to be at the award show?” she asked.

Ethan glanced at the computer screen and then back at Holly. “I wouldn’t trade where I am for all the awards in the world.” He gave her a feather light kiss and her heart thumped behind her ribs. “What about you?”

She pressed her body up against her new husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”