Bargaining with the Bride(51)
"What do you—?"
"I cancelled the merger. And the experiment. I've shredded every file on our work together. We'll find another way to collect data. The two of us always were a great pair."
She nodded.
"Of course, that's with the understanding that you'd stay on with us. And with me."
She nibbled on her bottom lip, considering his words carefully. "You didn't let me apologize, though."
"You don't need to."
"But I do! I humiliated you. I should have told you what I was thinking. I should have been strong enough to stand up to my parents and—"
He tucked his hand under her jaw, and then brushed a strand of her wild blonde hair from her face. "You did. It just took you a while to get there, and I'm proud of you for that."
"But—"
"The way things happened were meant to be. It helped me realize that I need to find balance in my life and that you're the one who can help me. You love the work as much as I do, and even if you won't admit it, you love my dog as much as I do, too."
She laughed, but he went on without interruption.
"If I have one regret about the way things happened, it's that I didn't get the chance to marry you for real. Lucky for us—"
He dropped to one knee, and tears pricked at Rachael's eyes. She could hardly think, could hardly breathe.
"I love you, Rachael."
"I love you, too." She sniffled.
"I want to spend the rest of my days and night with you. Crunching data and working too hard and staying up too late." He winked and she laughed despite her flowing tears.
"I should have realized the second I saw you that you were the one for me. You're perfect, and I promise that if you'll marry me, I will never do anything to hurt you or use you. I'll honor and respect you the way you've always deserved. All you have to do is tell me you'll be mine."
She nodded, then plucked the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger.
It was gorgeous, but she didn't want to inspect it now. Right now, all she wanted to do was leap into Garret's arms and stay there until the end of time.
He stood and crushed her to him, holding her tight for one long moment before his lips met hers again and the warmth of his kiss flooded through her once again.
When he backed away, he said, "Oh, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you."
"What? Is there a jet waiting for us on the roof?" She laughed.
"Even better." A voice answered her from the doorway and she spun to find Eliza standing there, a camera in her hands.
"Eliza, I—” She stammered, then stared from her sister to her new, very real fiancé.
"Your sister has agreed to work with us as an assistant to my brother, Brooks. His newest assistant, um, recently left us. I needed to fill the position."
"Are you sure?" Rachael asked, and even she wasn’t sure who to address the question to.
"It's going to be great. Just you watch." Eliza winked, then flashed the camera again.
"I can't believe this." She didn't know what to do or say.
It was like very problem in her life had been solved in the blink of an eye. Work was great. Eliza was saved. And Garret? Garret was perfect.
The only thing left to worry about was—
"Might I make a suggestion?" Eliza grinned.
Rachael raised her eyebrows.
"Please, for the love of God, elope."
Bargaining with the Boss, the second novel in the Honeybrook Love, Inc. Series
She’s addicted to love…
The only thing worse than Natalie Gains’ love life is her current employer. Not only is he a veritable man-whore, but when he’s not dictating commands, he’s nearly impossible to find. Even for a CEO, this guy is too demanding, and that rubs Natalie in all the wrong ways…
…he’s allergic to commitment…
Brooks Adams’ new secretary has a stick lodged so far up her butt he’s amazed she can sit down. Lucky for her, he’s the exact kind of guy who can help her relax. But even if she did, could Brooks really be with a girl who can’t love ‘em and leave ‘em?
…and they’re both in way too deep.