Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I’m good, Debra, thank you. I’m just here to speak with Vera.”
“Ms. Barrone?”
I laughed softly, like I found her correction to Vera’s formal name cute. “Yes, Ms. Barrone. Although, not for long,” I muttered, really amping up the show.
If I thought she looked alarmed before, it was nothing compared to the way her body tightened, and her jaw clenched. The soft smile I gave her probably set off even more alarm bells, considering we mostly glared at each other.
I locked the soft look in place, adding adoration in there too as I approached her desk.
“Vera,” I started, closing in. She shook her head just the tiniest bit, and I almost laughed at her desperation to make my attention on her in the middle of the office stop.
The whole floor was absorbed into our perceived private moment. The phones placed on mute, keyboards quiet with frozen fingers hovering above the letters, barely even any whispers or breathing, everyone on edge and holding their breath.
“Mr. Rush,” she choked out, her hands clutching her armrests.
“Vera,” I said again, revealing the black box from my pocket.
“No,” she whispered so quietly I barely heard.
Ignoring it, I dropped to one knee, creating an echo of gasps from around the office. “Since you started here, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you. We tried to keep it professional, but the feelings between us couldn’t be stopped. You’re smart, beautiful, and represent everything I want in my life.” Cracking the box open, I congratulated myself on coming up with a mostly truthful proposal. “Verana Ma—” I stumbled over the name and decided to leave it off as to keep with the truth. “Verana, will you marry me?”
Hands flew to mouths like some kind of romcom. All while Vera watched the ring in the box like it’d explode at any minute.
Seconds ticked by, and my hands grew damp with each moment I had to wait to hear her say yes. What if she changed her mind? What if she made a fool of me in front of my own employees? My muscles tightened like a corkscrew waiting for her answer.
Despite knowing what she’d eventually say, I sighed, my muscles releasing like Jell-O when she finally whispered, “Yes.”
Applause broke out, and I slipped the ring on her delicate finger. I took advantage of her distraction with the ring and gripped her other hand, pulling her to her feet and right into my arms. Pushing my luck, I leaned in for a kiss, only to catch the corner of her mouth when she turned at the last minute.
“Careful, Vera,” I muttered against her ear. “We have to make them believe.”
She pulled back, her hand covering her face like a kiss with her fiancé pushed against her modesty. When she looked up, the smiling bride-to-be with fire in her eyes, she gritted out between clenched teeth, “Well, darling, they know you and what a dick you can be and how many women you’ve fucked. No one would blame me for not wanting to kiss you in fear of getting a disease.”
I barked a genuine laugh. I couldn’t wait to make her eat those words, along with my cock.
“Mr. Rush, I had no idea. Congratulations,” Debra said genuinely. “You too, Vera.”
Everyone rushed to give hugs and their own words of cheer. They all called Verana, Vera, and joked with her as friends. I hadn’t realized how much she had made herself part of this company until then. I’d been so focused on what her friendly actions secretly meant that I’d missed how real they were.
For the first time, guilt pricked at my conscience, but I shoved it away. It was business, and we each got something from the transaction. She’d proven more than once she could handle herself, and she’d handle this too.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to celebrate with my fiancée in private.” I delivered the words with an illicit wink, bringing giggles from the women.
“Nico,” Vera scolded, only adding to our familiarity. She slipped, using the shortened name more and more, and I liked it.
I shamelessly shrugged and tugged a wooden Vera behind me.
“What was all the cheering about?” Ryan asked.
I held up her hand. “Vera has agreed to be my wife.”
Ryan’s brows shot high, and his eyes slid closed like the information was too much to process. With a small shake of his head, he finally opened them but looked no less shocked.
Giving him a pointed stare, I gritted out, “I was shocked too. How did I get so lucky?”
Pulling himself together, he offered Vera a smile. “Congratulations, you two.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Please, hold my calls. My fiancée and I need to chat.”
As soon as the door closed, Vera yanked her hand from mine and crossed her arms, making her breasts plump up under her blouse. “What the hell is wrong with you?”