Page 126 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

I reached the top step. “Nine months of planning, actually. A lot of thinking and reflecting.”

He stilled. “Nine months?”

“Turns out timing wasn’t our problem last year. Fear was.” I started down the wide hall. “I was afraid of failing again. You were afraid of holding me back.”

“And now?”

“Now I have my own business.” I reached for his hand and led him into the master bedroom where I had set up some LED candles and spread a blanket on the floor.

He glanced behind me. “Did you set this up?”

“I did.”

“You went into tonight with a mission in mind,” he said.

“I did.”

“Why now?”

“You have your brother back,” I said, pushing his jacket off his shoulders. “I’ve grown. I’ve got my footing. I don’t have one foot out the door. I stayed because I wanted to stay for me.”

I jerked his shirt from his pants and started to unbutton it.

“And you’re not going anywhere?”

I popped the last button, pushing the fabric aside to reveal the hard planes of his chest. “I’m staying. Before, I was afraid of failure. But now the only thing I’m afraid of is wasting another second without you.”

Dean’s hands found my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Portia⁠—”

“I learned something this year,” I whispered, looping my fingers through his belt loops. “How to go after what I want.” I rose onto my toes, my lips brushing his jaw. “So here’s my offer, Dean Jackson. Take it or leave it.” I nipped his earlobe. “I want you. I want us.”

His growl sent shivers down my spine as he spun me, pinning me against the wall. “No takebacks.”

Then his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding.