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“Me?” I ask in a small voice before whispering furiously in Branson’s ear. “I don’t want the job just because we got engaged Branson.”
“You’re getting the job because they chose you. They chose you before we got engaged.”
For a moment, I’m completely shocked by the revelation of my new position before a full smile breaks on my face. “You’re serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life, although I was a tad more serious when I asked you to marry me.” He winks, and a blush tinges my cheeks as I remember Branson’s sweet words bef
ore he slipped the ring onto my finger last night.
“You mean when you left me a note instead of asking me yourself,” I tease him with a grin.
“I thought it would be a nice touch,” he whispers into my ear.
“It was.” I smile and wave at Tammy.
“Everyone, there’s another announcement I’d like to make,” Branson says in his loud, deep CEO voice.
Instantly the room goes quiet, and all eyes turn to him.
“For the past few months, Riley and I have been seeing each other. We kept it quiet, because we didn’t want our relationship to interfere with our work. When Lisa found out, she didn’t take it well. Let’s just say the stories about our engagement were a figment of Lisa’s imagination. This morning I want to assure you no one is imagining anything. We’re all clear-headed here, I hope…” Branson grins at the curious faces before he continues. “Last night I asked Riley to marry me, and she said yes. So I give you the Creative Director you chose amongst yourselves and my fiancée, Riley Harper.”
Gasps are quickly followed by another wave of applause as Tammy rushes over to me. “You sneaky little vixen,” she says before pulling me into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
“So am I,” Branson says beside me before pressing a kiss to my head.
“Thank you, Tammy. But you’ve been here much longer than I have,” I say, taking Tammy’s hands into mine. I didn’t want to start my new job with bad blood between us.
Tammy laughs and waves her hand. “I love designing, Riley. I don’t like the paperwork and managing people. Anyway, you’re much better suited for the job than I am. I’m really happy for you.”
I search her eyes for any sign that she’s lying, but I find none. She’s truly happy for me.
I pull Tammy into a hug. “Thank you, Tammy. I won’t let you down.”
“You deserve it, but next time you keep a major secret from me like that you’re screwing the boss for example; we’re no longer friends.”
Branson rolls his eyes, and Tammy laughs as I nod. “I promise, and here’s a secret, I intend to keep screwing the boss.”
This time Branson laughs and Tammy mimics a gagging noise.
I bask in the glow of their pride and my engagement.
Maybe dreams do come true after all.
Epilogue
Riley
I stare out the window of the marble bathroom. In front of me is the Caribbean ocean and it’s the same color as my husband’s gorgeous eyes. Our wedding had been bigger than I had ever imagined, but I didn’t even care. Because when Branson took me into his arms for our first dance, everyone else disappeared. It was just me and my husband.
Mr. and Mrs. Carter. So surreal.
I smile at the memory as a speedboat rushes by. We’re staying on an exclusive island in the Caribbean, and our honeymoon suite on the water. The past few months have been so busy between taking over the Creative Department and planning a wedding, I barely had time to relax.
I soak up the sun shining through the glass roof of the bathroom and sink into a warm bath. The fragrant jasmine bubbles surround me as I close my eyes and lean back. My body is tender from all our love-making, and even though I know a day of rest would be beneficial, I can’t help myself. Every time Branson looks at me with that darkened gaze, my panties melt, and my body yearns for him. He’s become my addiction—one I don’t ever want to kick.
I check the time on my watch. Five more minutes. Branson went into town to make a few phone calls this morning giving me the privacy I needed to confirm my suspicions. My breasts are tender, and the past few mornings I couldn’t touch any food. As a woman, I had a good idea what was going on with me, but I haven’t told Branson.
We’ve had such a turbulent engagement leading up to the wedding of the year, as the magazines had called it, that I forgot to take my birth control on more than one occasion. We haven’t discussed having children, and I don’t know how Branson feels about the idea, that’s why I need to find out first. That way I can deal with the results before I need to deal with Branson.
