“You’ve more than earned it. I know you’ve been trying to advise him for years. I know you’re the reason the business has survived at all. He hasn’t been a good financial steward, but he’s occasionally listened to you. Now I’m giving you real power.”
“How is this possible? You don’t own—”
“I do. While Valentin drove you here, I called your brother again. It took some doing, but we finally hashed out a deal. So I own the company. Well, fifty-one percent as of now.”
“What are you going to do with your part? And with Vance out of the organization, who will run it?”
“That depends on you. If you want the job, it’s yours.”
“Really?” Her hazel eyes widen. “You’d let me?”
“I can’t think of anyone I’d trust more.” I kiss her.
“Oh, my god. This is like a dream come true,” she squeals. “I went to school for a position like this, so I could handle the responsibility and grow the organization. I mean, it’s still relatively small, but it has so much potential and—”
“It absolutely does.” Her enthusiasm makes me smile. “You’ve got some amazing tech developers on staff, too.”
She nods. “I’m so excited about new products and updates we have in the works.”
“So you’re saying yes to the job?”
“Yes!”
“Excellent. I know you’ll be great. And I’ll be your supportive but silent partner.”
Suddenly, her expression falls. “Is that all?”
I smile. “What do you think?”
Whitney looks nervous to jinx herself, but she draws up her courage. “You want to marry me.”
“I do.” Again, I reach into the drawer at my side and pluck out a smaller, plush square box. “And you want to marry me.”
“You intend to ask me?”
Her hint of mischief makes me laugh as I sit up and pull her into my lap with a long, sweet kiss. Then I open the box to reveal a simple, elegant engagement ring that looked like it belonged on her finger the moment I saw it earlier this evening.
“I love you, Whitney. We’ve both made mistakes and wish we could take back some things we said and did, but all roads led us back to each other. I can’t imagine the journey ahead with anyone but you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes!” As I slip the ring on her finger, she cuddles closer and kisses my face. “I love you, too. Oh, my god, now we’re official!”
Her excitement makes me laugh. I haven’t felt this light in years. “We are.”
“Why do I get the feeling this may be one of the last times you ask rather than demand anything of me?” She grins.
“You know me well.”
“Yes, Sir.” She presses her lips to mine once more.
From there, I take over, already hard for her again. I’m so aroused by the idea of making love to Whitney when she’s wearing nothing but my engagement ring, I can’t wait to get inside her.
Rolling her onto her back, I follow her to the mattress, fasten my mouth over hers, then ease inside her swollen, sweltering pussy with a groan.
Beneath me, she gasps and digs her nails into my shoulders. “Jett!”
“Yes, princess. Want more?”
“Yes. God, yes…” She wraps her legs around me. “But fair warning… I might need help with my job.”
She wants to talk about work now? “If you need sex to do it right, I’m your man.”
Whitney curls her arms around my neck and rocks with me. “I just might. But then I’ll need time off. Unless we start being safer, we’re going to have some babies.”
Ah, she’s figured out the other part of my plan—and she seems blessedly happy with it. “I sure hope so. I want you pregnant now.”
“Me, too.”
After we share bodies, passion, and our love, we fall into a heap, arms around each other. I cup Whitney’s still-rosy cheek. “You happy?”
“Since you’ve made my every dream come true? Yes, Sir.”
Epilogue
Sunshine Coast Bed-and-Breakfast, Maui
A month later…
Whitney
Dreams really do come true! Jett has found nearly every moment of every day to prove that to me. He’s worshipped me. He’s kept every promise. And he’s made me fall even more in love with him.
Finally—after a lot of rushed planning and tricky arrangements—we’re standing on the beach at the most beautiful bed-and-breakfast in Maui, just about to say “I do.”
“Are you ready?” my brother asks, looking surprisingly dapper in a pale blue suit.
“Beyond. Thanks for being here and walking me down the aisle.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. I just want you to be happy.” He kisses my temple and offers me his arm, then he escorts me toward the palms swaying gently in the sunset and my waiting groom.
I’m about to burst with joy.
For the last month, my brother has been a lot different—quiet and contemplative. He started seeing a therapist. He admitted he’s had a drinking problem since college. He started apologizing to me a lot for things he’s done over the years. And he’s doing his best to mend fences with Jett. My husband-to-be, bless him, has been receptive. Guarded, yes. That’s Jett, and Vance burned him horribly once. But they’re working it out. Jett reached out with an olive branch—and offered to let Vance stay on as head of development. My brother reciprocated by inviting Jett to join an upcoming fantasy football league. It’s progress. That’s all I can ask for now.