The Billionaire's Desire 3(17)
We got dressed and I was a little sad that we were leaving. I enjoyed feeling set apart from everyone else and spending time alone with Joshua.
"Oh, I meant to ask you. Why did we come to the guest house instead of going to one of our rooms?"
"I had planned to have some alone time with you, and being with you here is more appropriate than being together under my mother's roof, given the nature of our relationship."
The nature of our relationship? What did that mean?
"You look offended. Did I say something wrong?" He seemed genuinely concerned.
"No, no. Well, um, what do you mean by the ‘nature of our relationship’?"
"Oh, no. It's not anything bad. I just meant that if we were husband and wife we could have been together under mother’s roof. But since we're not, I think it would be disrespectful to have relations in her house."
I was relieved by the explanation and a little bit charmed. It was an old-fashioned way of thinking and I thought it was sweet. This gorgeous billionaire continues to surprise me.
"Sarah?"
"Yes?"
He hesitated and I could see the angst in his eyes.
"I've really enjoyed spending this time with you." He wouldn't hold my gaze.
My heart sank. Is this the end? Is he getting ready to tell me our arrangement is over?
"I've enjoyed this time with you as well." I was afraid to see what his eyes would tell me as sadness enveloped me.
"Can I...," he sounded extremely nervous, cleared his throat and then looked at me.
"Would you allow me to take you out on a proper date when we get back to New York?"
My eyes flew up to his, filled with tears of relief and joy. I couldn't hold back the smile that spread across my face. I gave him a big hug as I whispered my answer in his ear.
"I would love nothing more."
CHAPTER 9
10 YEARS LATER
If you would have asked me where I thought I would be in 10 years the day I started my internship at Hunter International, I would never have guessed here. Let me back up a bit.
After our trip to California, Joshua and I returned to New York and started dating exclusively. We were extremely discreet at work and the only person who knew was Jake.
I shadowed a very bright female partner at the company for six months. There was no way Joshua would have allowed me to shadow a male partner! I worked my butt off making connections and making myself available to partners who needed extra help with anything. I worked late more nights than I could remember. My reports never had errors and I never said no to anyone about work. My hard work paid off because, in nine years instead of five, I became a partner at Hunter International.
Joshua surprised me on our one year anniversary with a trip to Florence, Italy. We spent a week there and I was able to see original works of art by all of my favorite Renaissance artists. We went to the Uffizi Gallery and I was able to see works by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Titian and Botticelli, among many others. It was so surreal for me to actually be where I had only dreamed of going all my life.
Joshua surprised me one night and rented a Vespa for us. We rode all around Florence and were able to see so much more than if we just walked and took taxis. One of the highlights of the trip was riding by the Pitti Palace at night. It was so beautiful. On the last night of our trip, we were standing on the Ponte Vecchio bridge looking out over the Arno River when I turned and saw that he was down on bended knee:
"Never in my wildest fantasies could I have imagined a woman so perfect for me in every way. I love you with all that I am. I promise to make you happy, be faithful to you, respect you, be a supportive partner, communicate openly, build a family with you and love you forever. Sarah Catherine Vaughn, will you marry me?
The ring was so beautiful and so perfect.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked into the beautiful face of the man I loved.
"Yes! Of course I will marry you!" I flung my arms around him and he couldn't stop kissing me. We were snapped out of our bliss by the sound of people clapping. I looked around and giggled as I hugged Joshua. "We have an audience." I smiled at him, my eyes filled with love.
His eyes searched mine, as he gently wiped away the tears that were falling down my cheeks. "I love you Sarah."
I smiled as my tear-filled eyes searched his. "I love you too Joshua."
***
We've been married for eight years now and living in ultimate bliss.
As we sat at the dance recital for our six-year-old twin girls, I looked over at Joshua and Bunny and reflected on how amazingly wonderful my life turned out to be. I married my best friend, we have two beautiful daughters, I have an amazing career and a lovely mother-in-law. I wouldn't change a thing.