Mr. CEO(69)

My face heats with embarrassment. I don’t want him to think I’ve knocked her up, although the thought makes my dick stir in my slacks.

“Fiancé he means,” Rose is quick to reply smoothly, and my father’s eyes dart to her ring finger before he nods his head easily, sitting back in his seat.

He’s confirming her fears and I fucking hate it, although I suppose I can see his position.

“I see my son has been keeping secrets,” he says as he eyes me and then holds out a hand for Rose. “At least he introduced us before you two tied the knot.”

Their handshake is business at best, but Rose seems comforted by the warmer reception.

I take a seat, my body stiff as the anxiety of the two of them getting along grows.

“How did you two meet?” he asks Rose.

She smiles warmly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She looks hesitantly at me and then leans forward and replies, “At a conference a few months ago.”

My father nods, and then a smile suddenly appears at his lips. He raises his hand, pointing at her and nodding his head as he says, “Don’t tell me, you worked for…” he snaps his fingers and my heartbeat picks up. “Armcorp?” he asks.

Rose’s beautiful smile grows across her face as she asks, “He told you?” Her brow furrows, although she looks pleased.

“Not exactly, but I had a feeling.”

I huff a humorless laugh. My father has always struck me as intelligent, but I didn’t think I was so obvious.

I sit back in my chair as the two of them engage in easy conversation.

My leg pains me again, reminding me that I have radiation again tomorrow. One more week, and then we'll see where I stand.

I ignore the pain and smile along with Rose’s story of how I ruined her presentation.

She laughs and pauses to remember the rest of our story. I remember it, though I don't know if I remember it as clearly as Rose.

My father interrupts before she’s able to continue, saying, “I’m proud of you son,” and his voice cracks. He clears his throat and adds, looking back at Rose, “I’m happy for the two of you. I’m happy he found someone to love.”

“Thank you,” Rose says with a soft voice. I can tell she wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t either.

My father and I exchange a silent nod. My heart is swelling in my chest at his approval. This is what I wanted. I wasn’t sure if he’d understand. But it means the world to me that he does.

Rose nervously clears her throat and picks up from where she left off. Her hands wave in the air as she talks about how she was so nervous to meet her new boss.

My father’s not watching her though, he’s watching me. His eyes are filled with pride and glassy with tears.

I’ve never seen him so emotional before. Not since the day I told him I had cancer, although back then he was in disbelief. Now, his happiness is evident. It brings a warmth to my chest.

I can only hope I live to see the day that she proudly calls me her husband. I unconsciously take her hand in mine and kiss her wrist.

It makes her pause her story and her eyes soften with happiness, although her cheeks flush with a blush of embarrassment.

“I love you,” I tell her easily.

“Logan,” she says shyly, looking between myself and my father.

“Don’t deny me, my Rose.”

I can see her blossom with love shining in her eyes as she whispers, “I love you, too.”

I know she does.





Epilogue





Logan





Remission is a beautiful word.

I’m still on edge most days, thinking the cancer will come back. But it’s been a year and the scans show no visible signs of returning.

“Logan!” I hear Rose’s voice from the other side of the penthouse.

The large doors are open and it lets in a cool breeze. It’s getting late and I should shut them, but I can see the ocean from here and the palm trees are close enough to touch. It’s a beautiful escape from the city, and our first night here. I was nearly asleep on the sofa, lost in work as usual. But it was only for tonight to wrap up a meeting I couldn’t put off. And then no computer. Charlotte’s orders.

I put the laptop on the coffee table, sliding it across the glass and stand up. Stretching out my sore muscles.

I crack my neck and sigh. It was a long ride on the jet. Nearly six hours. I shouldn’t complain, after all, it was a jet, but I fucking hate traveling. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but I’m not. I’m not sure I ever will be either.

“Logan,” my Rose calls out again.

I take large strides to where her voice came from, the bedroom suite.

She’s standing in front of the dresser, putting away the clothes from her suitcase. I don’t know why she does these things, there’s hired help here to do just that. But she always insists on doing it herself.