Serenity (Inevitable #5)(149)

"Okay." Sasha grinned up at him. "That actually sounds like fun. As you know, I've never really had a home of my own, just Linda's place and for a few years a little apartment I lived in with my mom in New York City. I'm not sure I'd know what to do with so much space."

"It doesn't have to be as big as Ian and Tessa's place," he assured her. "In fact, I'd like something smaller and cozier myself. Just as long as it has character and feels like a real home - not like the mansion down in Hillsborough, and definitely not like this condo. Besides, living here in the condo won't be an option for much longer."

"Is the company thinking of selling it?" asked Sasha.

He shook his head. "No, I would imagine given its location it will be a valuable asset to whoever buys the company. I - I haven't told anyone else, just the attorney who's begun to look into the matter for me. But I'm dead serious about getting out, Sasha. I don't want to spend even one more year working my ass off and not enjoying the benefits of all that hard work. I fully intend to sell MBI as soon as possible, and spend a lot more time with you and my kids and on myself. God knows I have enough money to live on for more than ten lifetimes, so that certainly isn't an issue. And I'll probably do some consulting work or public speaking now and then. But my first priority is going to be focusing on the things that mean the most to me - and you're at the very top of that list."

Her eyes shimmered with happy tears as she impulsively flung her arms around his waist. "That's wonderful news!" she exclaimed. "You've worked so hard for so many years, Matthew, that you deserve a break. And if you do feel the need to go back to work someday, it will be on your terms, and doing what makes you happy. Maybe you'll even have time to start doing yoga."



       
         
       
        

He grinned at her teasing comment. "I'd have to start with the Yoga for Inflexible People class. And I know for a fact that I'd never, ever be able to attempt some of those crazy poses you can do. But I'm looking forward to doing a whole lot of things I never have time for. Though I'm afraid all of that will have to wait awhile. Even after my attorney finds a suitable buyer for the company, there'll be months of negotiations and contracts and other legalities before I'm officially unemployed."

"At least it's a start," she replied encouragingly. Then, more soberly, she asked, "Was this the same attorney who uncovered all the details on the Cullens?"

"No. That would have been the firm of private investigators I use for various purposes. The same PI's who spent over two years following Lindsey and her legion of lovers around. They're discreet, efficient, and know exactly where to look for useful information. They had the dirt on the Cullens in less than seventy two hours. After that it was just a matter of alerting the proper authorities about what they'd found out, and the rest just unfolded on its own."

Sasha nodded, seeming to be satisfied with that explanation. "Okay. And while I've never considered myself a vengeful person, always believed it was better to forgive and forget, I'm glad that Riley in particular is finally going to pay the price for what he did. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but for once I don't seem to care very much."

Matthew rubbed her back soothingly as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. "It makes you human, Sasha," he corrected. "And hopefully it also gives you some satisfaction, some sense of closure. There was no possible way I was going to let that bastard get away with what he'd done. I didn't give a damn that it was a dozen years ago. What he did was still bothering you, still having a negative effect on your life. It needed to be dealt with, and he needed to be brought to justice. So, it's over and done with now, and you don't need to think about it ever again. Okay?"

"Yes." She brushed her lips against his stubbled cheek. "Thank you, Matthew. For giving me that peace of mind that's eluded me for so long. And for being so protective. I'm not really used to that, you know."

He gave a low growl, already highly aroused at being this close to her, and her sweet kiss only stoked the fires that had been building in his lower body all evening. "Well, get used to it, sweetheart," he warned her. "I know you've got this independent streak a mile long, but I fully intend to take care of you in every possible way from now on."

"Speaking of taking care of things," she whispered naughtily. Her hand slid down past his belly, then gently palmed his rigid cock. "It sure feels like it's been a very long time since you, ah, took care of this."