Chapter 50
Ria
“So my business meetings are not normally this eventful,” Cole says as he takes the ice pack Shannon brought through and places it on Grace’s hand.
“That’s disappointing because I’ve had a blast.” Grace winks and then turns to me. “I told you watching that man turn purple was my favorite thing to do. Did you see that shade he turned just as that detective slapped those cuffs on him? And she was not gentle.” She does a little shimmy before wincing. “Ouch, that fucker has a hard face.”
“You truly are one of a kind.” Shaking my head at my oldest friend, I tap away on my mobile. “I’ve got someone coming to take you to the hospital to get that looked at.”
“I’m the one who takes care of you.”
“Well, not today. Take my credit card and treat yourself while you’re waiting to be seen.” Her eyes widen to saucers as I wave my black AMEX.
“If you weren’t happily married to this one”—she tilts her head toward Leo and he tries and fails to hide his grin—“I’d be on my knees for you. Just slide that beautiful rectangle of joy in my pocket and I’ll make sure it takes the beating it deserves.”
Sliding the card in her pant pocket, I wrap my arms around her, bringing her into my chest, careful not to bump her hand. “Love you; don’t change ever,” I mumble into her hair, and my eyes start to prickle as my voice wobbles slightly.
“No, we don’t say shit like that to each other. You know it makes my eyes watery, and I told you when we were kids it makes my skin blotchy.” She has a tremble in her voice as she takes a step back, blinking rapidly. “For that I’m getting three pairs of shoes.”
“Only three?” Leo sniggers as he hooks his arm around my shoulders.
“Don’t tempt me, Chuckles.” She passes him the ice pack and slips out of the boardroom.
“Where did you find her?” Cole laughs as he takes a seat at the head of the table and motions for us to sit back down.
“Elementary school.” I take a seat with Leo and continue, “Shared my Milk Duds with her at recess and was told that once you share a Milk Dud, you’re friends for life. She has taken that job very seriously, and I’d be lost without her.”
“She’s memorable, that’s for sure.” He leans forward and addresses us both. “Did you two have any idea what Mr. St. Claire and Mr. Lucas were up to?”
My eyes flick to Leo who nods for me to answer. “Not until last night. I had gone to the police this morning to make a statement, so that’s why I was late. I also presented them with the email he had sent Leo this week threatening us to back out of the deal. Weboth were fed up with their bully tactics, and to be quite frank, Cole, personally, lying doesn’t come easy to me. We knew he was going to tell you about our relationship, and I was worried what you’d think of us but I was ready to come clean. You deserve honesty.”
“I appreciate that, but something tells me you aren’t lying anymore about being in love?”
“I never did,” Leo says softly, and my cheeks flush as Cole’s smile broadens.
“That was obvious. Now, this portfolio is all yours if you still want it.”
“Are you serious?” I say, not quite believing what I’m hearing.
“It’s been yours since I sent that original email. I was being too soft giving him a chance, but he caught me at a weak moment. Anyway,”—he stands and buttons his suit—“I do have another meeting to get to, but I’ll get Shannon to send over my availability and we will get everything settled.”
Jumping to my feet with Leo, I reach out and shake his hand. “I can’t wait to get started. I can see this being the start of something pretty special.”
“Me too, Mrs. Brent.”
“Congratulations, Mrs. Brent.” Leo comes up behind me as I’m staring out the kitchen window, lost in thought, and trails kisses along my exposed skin at my shoulder. Rolling my neck, I allow him more access, and he kisses my neck and nips at the skin there, causing ripples to travel through my body.
“What for?” I breathe out as he sneaks his hands underneath the large T-shirt I stole from his closet earlier. He splays hispalms across my stomach, and the heat of his palms has all my muscles unfurling.
“Securing the deal that even your dad couldn’t.” His hot breath tickles my skin as he whispers, “You’re incredible.”
Turning in his hold and resting my hands on his bare chest, I stare up at the man who has been in love with me in secret for years. Years he held on to the feelings he couldn’t verbalize and watched me with other men, and it broke him every time. I didn’t see it then, but I see it now. Every look, every action has always had me in mind. He has loved me in private, and now he isn’t holding back. Every other man I have been with has called me beautiful, stunning, or even gorgeous, but they have never called me incredible. Never have they looked at me as if I’m more than just a pretty face or my dad’s daughter, but Leo sees all of me. My eyes tingle and I blink back tears as I reach up on my toes and press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I love you so much.” Swallowing the lump in my throat as my fingers knot in his hair at the nape of his neck, I pull him down to bring his forehead to mine. “You make me feel seen, and I’m so sorry I didn’t see it before now.”
“Say it again, please, baby.”
Pulling back so I can look into his steel-gray eyes that are slightly watery, I repeat the words that feel natural as they fall off my tongue. “I love you. Every chaotic, messy part of you. You say I own your heart, but you own all of me.”
“Christ, baby, I never thought I’d be here, wrapped up with you, you telling me you love me.”
