Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 15945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
“The very one,” she says, grinning.
“Oh, my God, Leighton,” I say, mortified.
“Don’t worry about it, girl,” she replies, knowing exactly what I’m talking about.
“Fine, explain,” I say, dragging him into the breakroom by the forearm.
“I’m sorry, Hope. I don’t know what happened, exactly. I did not kiss her. I didn’t even know she was going to be there. I swear it. I would never hurt you. I fucking love you.”
“What?” I ask, breathless. I shouldn’t be so quick to believe him, but between his admission and Leighton’s vouching for him, I find myself leaning toward him.
“I love you, Hope. More than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything in my life,” he says, grabbing my hands in his.
“I… I love you too.”
“I know you do, baby. That’s why you were so pissed. Did you really block me?”
“I did.”
“Aww, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” Leighton says, reminding me that she’s still in the room.
“Brat?” Ayerton warns her, but his eyes never leave my face. He looks so intense right now, my pussy automatically clenches in anticipation.
“Alright, I’m out,” she says, giggling as she leaves the room.
“Now, where were we?” he asks.
“I think you were about to kiss me,” I say, needing that so bad.
“I think you’re right,” he says before lowering his lips to mine. God, has it only been a few days since I last felt his lips on mine? I missed this. I missed him.
“You know you’re marrying me, don’t you?”
“I do,” I answer, knowing that’s where this was headed as soon as I heard him shouting my name in the office like a lunatic. Only a lunatic in love would do something like that.
Maybe I shouldn’t have forgiven him so quickly, but love, real love, makes you do crazy things.
EPILOGUE
AYERTON
FIVE MONTHS LATER
I am watching my gorgeous bride walk down the aisle to me and my chest swells seeing the evidence of our love and my ownership of her burgeoning belly holding my daughter safely. “You did good, son.” My father leans down and whispers in my ear. I turn to him and pat him on the back.
“I know, dad. God do I know.” He nods and takes his place at the altar where he is going to perform the ceremony. I wouldn’t want it any other way but for my father, a judge, to marry me and my soul mate.
The organ starts and she begins walking towards me on the arm of her father. She looks like an angel. Her face is beaming, the love I share with her is reflecting back at me. She makes it to me and immediately my hand goes to her belly, which has become harder over the last week. “How is our daughter?” I ask her, letting my hand rest on the life we created together.
“She is perfect. Been a little busy. I think she knows today is a special day.”
“That is because it is. Today is the day we become a family in the eyes of God. Forever.”
“I love you so much,” she says, a tear falling down her face. I wipe her cheek with my thumb. I hear the throat clearing of my father and we turn to face him.
“Dearly beloved..”
“Are you happy, sweetness?” I am currently spinning my wife around the dance floor.
“So happy, babe. I never knew love could be like this.” she says, kissing me and pulling back. “So open and freeing. I never felt more like myself than I did the moment I met you. You made me brave, Ross. I will spend my life making you happy and being your wife.” Well shit. I am so fucking glad she didn’t say that as her vows. Everyone would have been a crying mess including me.
“Oh, my sweet girl. You have no idea how much you changed me. I used order and regimentation to hide. To guard myself after being hurt, but with one word you ripped that gate wide open. You made me want to hold on and never let go. And now, I never will.” We kiss once more before her bridesmaids come over for pictures.
“Congratulations, Boss.” I turn and see Esteban standing behind me.
“Thank you for coming. I appreciate it.” He smiles and nods his head. “You didn’t bring a date?”
“Nah. I don’t fake date. Plus, with all the new accounts you gave me as you get ready for your honeymoon, I don’t have time. By the way, I am sorry I missed the ceremony. Mr. Tanaka needed a lot of finessing to put this deal to bed.”
“I understand and I appreciate you taking the time to handle it.” I am about to tell him not to let himself be pulled in by work when a squeal and then a rush of body weight hits me from the left.
“Ayerton. I finally got you alone.” My little sister tries to wrap her tiny arms around me and squeeze me. I laugh and hug her back. I hear a rumble from the side of us and see Esteban, intently staring at her like he has found gold.