“More jewelry. This is insane.” I opened the box lid with a sigh. Inside was a piece of paper folded to fit inside the box. My eyes shifted toward him as I unfolded the paper. “What’s this?”
“Read it.”
Stock Certificate
My eyes widened at my name written next to where shareholder was printed, and Mondo M as the company name. “No fucking way.”
“You now officially own ten percent of the company,” he stated. “And when we go public, you’ll have more shares. I couldn’t do it now ‘cause it’ll be too conspicuous.”
“No.” I breathed out, light-headed. “No. I can’t take it.”
“It’s already done. Don’t freak out on me now.”
I looked at the certificate again. “Youare freaking me out. This is the kinda gift you give to your wife. Or when you’ve done something really bad.” Slowly, I lifted my head from the piece of paper to him. “Have you?”
His eyes tightened. “First, stop joking about these things. Second, if I cheated on you, would I let you be my partner forever?”
“Makes sense.” At least that part. “But why? It’s your company. Your money. Why are you giving me a piece of it?”
“I just wanna be tied to you in every way possible. Any other way…” he squeezed my hand, his eyes begging me to understand, “would give you a panic attack.”
I felt all the color rush from my face.
“Hey,” he whispered and put his mouth on my cold lips. “If it were up to me, I wouldn’t waste another second—I’ve already lost so many years because I was a fucking coward—but I know you’re not ready, so don’t give me that look, please.”
I nodded, my chest tight with labored breaths.
“I just wanted you to know that I’m in this for life.”
I gulped, sweat trickling down my back. “Thanks…for letting me know.”
He blanched, too. It was his turn to panic. “Maggie, you’re not gonna…”
I shook my head, my heart and breath steadying. “I’m here. Not gonna flip or run away.”
“Phew.” He drew a hand across his forehead and threw his arms around me. “You scared the shit outta of me.”
All my life, I’d wanted his love. And now that he was here, telling me he wanted me forever, fear took over me. Fear of the future. Of commitment. Of happiness. But as I relished his embrace, and his heart pounded with a soothing rhythm against my chest, a smile triumphed on my lips.
Scene47
Maggie
The bed creaked as I rolled to meet Mike’s face. He was watching me sleep—again. “You gotta stop doing that,” I said.
“I’m making sure you won’t disappear on me.” His voice and face were alert. He must have been up hours ago.
“Is that a joke or a statement?”
“Uh…both.”
I kicked off the sheet and got out of bed. “Poor Mickey. Got himself a girlfriend who’s mental as fuck.”
He laughed, and I rolled my eyes. “Hah-hah.”That was sarcasm, not humor, you asshole.
My feet stumbled on the scattered clothes on the floor, which brought my attention to the fact that I was wandering around the room completely naked. Being naked with a man in bed was one thing. Strutting around nude in broad daylight was something else—something I’d never been comfortable with, especially sober.
Instead of picking up the first item to cover myself—like I’d always do—I spun and looked him in the eye. He was staring, his breath hard and loud in the room. And the tint of his growing cock against the sheet…
