We now live together, and I refuse to accept any of her money for anything.I have more money than I will ever spend and having her in my life is all I need from her.Nothing else.Well, there is one more thing I want from her, but I won’t push it.Right now, anyway.
I want Paige to be my wife.When I had originally proposed, it had been genuine regardless of our arrangement, but with everything with Reagan, Donovan, and coming clean with all our friends and family, she’s asked me to not ask.She wants us to enjoy our time as a couple.Together for real.No lies.
Patience is a bitch.I’m trying really hard to be patient and give her what she wants.But I’m not getting any younger and I want everything with her.A home, a family, and all the things I never wished for, or even thought about, before Paige.
“Fine.”She pouts, trying to step away but my grasp holds her firmly to me.
“Where are you going?”My lips lightly graze her plump ones and I’m seconds away from removing all her clothes and having her.“I told you I’m hungry.”
“We can’t.We’re expected at my mom’s in thirty minutes.She just texted she’s on her way back from the airport with Drew and Pip.Everyone is heading to the cottage shortly.”
“Thirty minutes is plenty of time,” I say suggestively, nibbling on her neck again.
“Zach, you’re not playing fair.I’m starving—I want breakfast before we leave.”Her hands roam my chest, inching closer to the towel wrapped loosely around my waist.
She chews on her bottom lip, blinking as she’s torn between indulging in me or getting some food before we have to leave.
I grab her left hand in mine, my thumb absently rubbing the base of her ring finger where an engagement ring should be.It’s become a subconscious thing I do and every time I catch myself, it feels like I’m silently sending her a message to make my wish come true.
“I promise to feed you on the way,” I whisper, and my mouth brushes her earlobe as my fingers deftly undo the button of her shorts, sliding the denim effortlessly down her silky legs.“If you feed me now.”
I grant her a devilish wink and a smile flits over her lips before she schools her features, wrinkling her nose.She continues to pretend her serious contemplation of her supposed dilemma.Food or me.
“You’re killing me, Paige.”I whip her top over her head, and she gasps as her bra falls to the floor and my towel follows suit.“Look what you do to me.Help me out.”
I give her a dirty smile and her gaze drops to my arousal, darkening as the tip of her pink tongue darts out to wet her lip.
“Why Mr.Rothwell, my appetite has suddenly changed, and it looks like you’ve got exactly what I’m craving.”
Epilogue 2
Paige
Six Months Later
Yawning, I power off the computer, rolling my neck to work out the kinks before heading to bed.It’s well past eleven and I’m still nowhere near ready for my upcoming trip to Africa.
The past few months at the foundation, bringing Project Miranda to life, have been a dream and stressful but in the best way possible.We’re days away from opening the first desalination plant.I’m excited and anxious for my second visit, and there’s only one thing that would make this trip perfect.If only Zach would come with me.
The board approved his proposal for expanding into the luxury hotel business and he’s currently in negotiations for two locations with a third one on the horizon.That’s why he can’t join me in Africa.He’s going to Thailand to close the deal.
I tap out a short text to Gary, Zach’s real estate scout extraordinaire, and smile at his immediate response.My bare feet slap against the cool wooden floors as I make my way through the dimly lit hallway to Zach’s office.The door is ajar with light filtering from the sliver of an opening.
Knocking, I push through to find Zach’s gaze glued to the screen.He glances up at me and his lips curve upward slightly.“Is it time for bed?”
“Uh-huh.”I inch farther into his space and catch sight of the glossy, expensive wedding invitation sitting on the coffee table where we left it a few days ago.
Reagan Hussey is getting married to a duke or a lord or something, and she invited Zach plus one.She knows we’re together, but my name is nowhere on the invitation.Whatever.
Shortly after the huge success of Nuit Étoilée and the media coverage about the launch of Project Miranda, Reagan went to England to stay with her relatives.Or so the story goes.As Nan likes to say, she fled to lick her wounds and tend to her bruised ego.
“I’ve got a deal for you.”
Intrigued, he arches a brow and shuts the laptop, giving me his full attention like he always does when I’m near.
Bringing me into his lap, he wraps his arms around me and I curl into him, one hand sliding behind his neck to sift my fingers through his wavy, dark hair.I’m in the best place in the world.Zach’s lap.
“A deal?Give it to me.”He winks, lightly nipping at my chin before resting his head against mine.He looks tired.There’s a lot riding on his business plan and I want to help alleviate some of the stress.
