Page 206 of Pure Recklessness

‘Pretty sure you fucked the boss all by yourself.’ Joe cackled. ‘If you really loved us, you would’ve at least given us an invite to join you!’

‘Honestly.’ I rolled my eyes playfully. ‘I was trying to have an emotional heartfelt moment and you had to lower the tone.’

‘That’s our Joe!’ Dana said.

‘And I wouldn’t have him any other way.’ I squeezed them both tighter. ‘We’d better go. My man’s about to give an important speech and I need to be there for him.’

We headed to the large conference room where hundreds of Sated employees were gathered.

As I strode through the crowds to the front row with Dana and Joe on either side of me, my heart hammered against my ribcage.

People were staring and whispering just like at the event last night, but I had to be strong. I needed Blake to see me so that he knew I was here to support him.

A Sated cameraman got into position. Blake’s speech was going to be livestreamed so that Sated’s worldwide workforce would hear his speech for themselves.

When Blake’s eyes met mine, his face broke into a smile.

‘You’ve got this!’ I mouthed and he nodded in acknowledgement.

‘Good morning, everyone,’ he said, his voice firm and in control. The room immediately fell silent. ‘Thank you for coming. I’ll cut straight to the chase. As I’m sure you’re aware, I’m in a relationship with Eleanor Lewis. A consensual and very serious, committed relationship. Normally, I wouldn’t discuss my personal life so openly, but due to the events that happened last night, I felt it was important to address you personally, to nip any rumours and false allegations in the bud once and for all. I apologise for not being open about it from the start. But I won’t apologise for falling in love.’

Blake’s gaze immediately flicked to me and he smiled.

As murmurs and collective awwws echoed around the room, butterflies erupted in my stomach and my knees went weak.

‘He loves you!’ Dana whispered excitedly.

‘Lucky cow!’ Joe added, a big smile spreading across his face.

‘We’d planned to declare our relationship after the launch of SatisFya because we wanted the focus to stay on our professional goals,’ Blake continued, ‘but a competitor and ex-employee saw fit to ambush our announcement event with the sole intention of telling the media because she wanted to fuck not just with me, but with Sated and every person in this room.’

Calista winced at Blake’s use of the f word, but that was Blake. He didn’t mince his words and this needed to be authentic.

‘As much as those actions pissed me off, I believe in being professional, although my potty mouth suggests otherwise.’ The crowd laughed. ‘And as a wise woman suggested, the best thing we can do is to not let her break us. To show that the Sated team will not allow our hard work be destroyed by gossip and underhanded actions.’

‘Preach!’ Dana cheered.

‘Thank you.’ Blake’s lips twitched. ‘In light of my relationship, if the board decides to keep me on as CEO, I will be recommending that the ban is lifted on dating colleagues.’ Cheers erupted in the audience. ‘But when that happens, if you get into a relationship with a co-worker, don’t be a dick like me. Report it to HR straight away. And just to be clear, our policy on zero tolerance for sexual harassment remains. If anyone makes unwanted advances or acts in a way towards you that is inappropriate, please speak to HR as a matter of urgency. We will not tolerate anyone making our valued team members feel uncomfortable at work. We want Sated to remain a safe space.’

‘Yes!’ Joe and dozens of other employees whooped in agreement.

‘I’d also like to take this opportunity to say thank you,’ Blake continued. ‘I’m aware that sometimes I can be a grumpy bastard and come across as being too harsh. But that’s only because I want the best for Sated and for you. Perhaps I don’t say it often enough, but I value each and every one of you. I appreciate your hard work and continued support.’

The entire audience clapped and a grin the size of the Atlantic Ocean broke out on my face.

Blake nodded in acknowledgement and the room fell silent again.

‘Now in other news, Sated’s brand-new app, SatisFya, will open for subscription sign-ups in less than four hours and we expect it to be a huge hit. Thank you to all those responsible for working so diligently to create it. I’m excited to watch it propel our company to the next level. I believe in this app. I believe in all of you. Thank you for your time and understanding. Now, let’s get back to work.’

As Blake stepped away from the mic, he got an almost deafening round of applause and my heart swelled with pride.

He was brilliant. Just like I knew he’d be.

‘Don’t hate me,’ Dana said, ‘but I think I’ve just fallen in love with your man.’

‘Same, girl, same.’ Joe sighed.

‘I get it,’ I said. ‘If I didn’t already love him, that speech would’ve made me fall hard too. I’ve got to go, but we’ll catch up later, okay? And thanks again.’