CEO's Expectant Secretary(16)

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the minister said. “You may kiss the bride.”

The sun came out from behind a cloud and Brock pulled Elle into his arms. She felt both strong and delicate against him. He lowered his mouth to hers and gave her a kiss of promise. He felt her tremble. “It will be okay,” he whispered against her ear.

“It will,” she whispered, but didn’t look at all convinced.



Elle felt numb. The steak dinner arranged for her wedding celebration may as well have been sawdust in her mouth. Her hands were freezing, but she forced herself to nod and smile at Flynn and his wife, Renee.

“You look beautiful,” Renee said.

“Thank you,” Elle replied, feeling a stab of guilt for betraying the woman by using their friendship to get more secrets for her grandfather to use against Maddox. Renee had been a friend to her. She was surprised Renee was willing to speak to her, let alone extend her good wishes.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am to see my brother get married,” Flynn said. “He’s been married to the company for so long, I was starting to wonder…”

“No need to wonder anymore,” Brock said, lifting his glass of wine. “Thanks for being here,” he said to Flynn. Then he turned to Elle. “To my wife—may our love grow, our commitment deepen and our joy overflow.”

“I can only hope,” Elle whispered under her breath, lifting her glass of sparkling water. The passion she glimpsed in his laser-blue eyes reminded her why she’d fallen for Brock. His passion for work, for life and, in the dark of night in his office apartment, for her.

Her mother and Brock’s brother and sister-in-law clapped in approval.

“Honeymoon plans?” Flynn asked.

In one heartbeat, Brock’s eyes turned to ice. He looked away. “Later,” he said. “I have to dig the company out of its current crisis.”

Elle felt her stomach sink to her knees and was glad she was sitting down. She knew she was the reason for the “current crisis.”

An hour later, after their guests had departed, Elle left the cottage in Brock’s limo. It was so silent she could barely breathe.

“You look beautiful,” Brock said, but didn’t meet her gaze.

She tried without success to take a deep breath. This was a huge mistake, she thought. Was there any way she could go back? Was an annulment possible? “Thank you,” she said in a quiet voice. “The flowers and harp were very nice.”

He nodded. “Every woman deserves something special at her wedding.”

“Who told you that?”

He paused. “Renee.”

“That was generous of her.”

“I thought so,” he said.

She bit her lip. “I don’t blame everyone for being angry with me, and I don’t blame you for resenting me—”

“I don’t,” he cut in. “Your loyalty was with your grand father. Now it’s with me.”

It was so much more complicated than that, she thought. As the limo pulled up in front of Brock’s grand home, he got out of the car and escorted Elle through the front door. His combination of good manners and primal strength had captivated her from the beginning. He could appear so smooth and civilized, but if necessary, he had the instincts of a street fighter and would go for the jugular to protect what was his.

She wondered how far his possessiveness toward her extended. Was it just for the baby?

The housekeeper approached them with a beaming smile. “Congratulations, both of you. I’m so happy for you. And you just look lovely, Miss Linton.” She covered her mouth. “Oh, I should have said Mrs. Maddox.”

Elle’s heart skipped at the sound of her new name. Pushing aside her conflicting feelings, she took the woman’s hands in hers. “Thank you, Anna. You’re very kind.”

“Please have Roger move Elle’s things into my suite,” Brock said.

“Right away. We’ll have it done in no time,” the housekeeper said and walked down the hallway.

Elle struggled with a surge of panic. “Your suite,” she echoed, meeting his gaze.

“My suite has two bedrooms, two baths, a study, den and small exercise room. At some point my mother will return here, hopefully for a brief period,” he said in a dry voice. “The less she knows about my private life, the better—she’s been known to cause trouble. There won’t be as many questions if you’re living in my suite. Now, I need to go back to the office, but I’ll be home later tonight. Roger will be on hand for you to move the rest of your things here during the next few days, but I don’t want you to overdo it. You’ve had a busy day.”