I hated the thought of all the money he had, but instead of throwing it on lavish vacations and expensive cars, this man had never used it for himself. I’d only see him use it for others. I had to commend him; he wasn’t like every other millionaire. He actually used his money for others.
“As happy as I am that you’re making my family's and friend's dreams come true, I can’t go back, Gabriel.”
“Actually, you can.”
I didn’t like the sound of this.
“There’s a job waiting for you in New York.”
My eyes widened; was he suggesting I work for him again? I wouldn’t do it.
“Gabriel, I already told you I don’t want to work for you. I’d feel like a damn whore.”
He growled at my statement.
“For the love of god, if you say that again, I’ll take you over my damn knee,” he said seriously. “I don’t want you in my office, princess. I want you in your own. Black Enterprises owns the entire corporate building it resides in. There was a floor used as temporary storage which has now been turned into another business.” He paused. “Your business.”
“What the hell have you done, Gabriel?” I whispered, completely shocked.
“You are now the CEO of Black Enterprises PR, handling PR exclusively for Black Enterprises and its partners. Kylie will be your business manager and Kylie’s boss, Phil, has agreed to start employment with you if you accept the position.”
Oh my god.
I was going to kill him. I was going to strangle him. I was going to… kiss him. Damn it. He’d done exactly what he said he would. Make people's dreams come true. Owning my own PR company was something I’d only dreamed of, it was what I wanted. But did I want it on the sole financial backing of Gabriel Black?
“I can’t even form words, Gabriel,” I whispered. “I can’t believe you’ve done this.”
“Princess, this isn’t about money. This is about you having what you’ve dreamed of, with my full support. You’re a damn good PR manager, Kate was just blinded by hatred towards me to actually see it.”
“I can’t take your money, Gabriel. You know how I feel about it,” I protested, moving from his embrace. “This is too much.”
“Damn it, you’re so stubborn.” He laughed. “One of the many things I love about you, but please, stop thinking about others and start thinking about yourself. You need a job, you have one. You need a place to live? I’ll buy you a fucking apartment so you’re secure. Want to visit your parents? There’s a company jet at your disposal. Want to fuck me until you see stars? I’m right here. You need to understand that I’m not going anywhere, princess. You can tell me fairy tales are for morons until the damn cows come home but we both know it's another one of your dreams. You want the fairy tale romance, the love and support of a man who really understands you. Damn it, Payton, I want to be your god damn fairy tale!”
I gasped. The passion that emanated from his voice was captivating. This was the man who’d fixed my heart when I thought it was unfixable, this was the man who’d loved me despite everything, and the man whom I’d fallen in love with. This was the man who’d ultimately crushed me with a single lie, but this was the man who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
“Sometimes, in the middle of every day life, a fairy tale appears. This is yours, princess. I’m your fairy tale. Stop looking for happily ever after and start looking at once upon a time.” He growled, stepping towards me. We were nose to nose, so close yet so damn far. “Marry me, princess, be my queen in our kingdom and let me show you want a real fairy tale is.”
“I… I…” I stuttered but was cut off the moment he crashed his lips to mine. A moan escaped me as a growl rumbled from within his chest.
“I’m not the villain, princess,” he said, groaning against my lips. “I love you.”
With that, he dragged his tongue along the seam of my lips and I opened for him, wanting to taste him again. Our tongues met as he caressed me with softness. The hard persona he usually wore was stripped bare. He’d exposed every side of himself to me, allowing me to see the man behind the money, the power and the dominance. The man whom I’d fallen in love with. The man who’d put every broken piece of me back together without even knowing it.
“I love you too,” I whispered against his lips, pulling back. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
A smile broke across his face, one I’d never seen before. It lit up his entire face and before I knew it, he’d grabbed me around the waist and twirled me around on the spot before kissing me fiercely.