Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Wes,” she said. “This is a contract that signs over the marketing firm solely to me.”
I nodded. “I want you to have complete control of it,” I explained. “It’s not a gift or a form of apology. It’s something you earned. You belong there. You’re amazing there. And it’ll be something that is yours with no ties to me.”
“But you giving it to me—”
“I’m just bowing out,” I hurried to say. “You’re the CEO and have been for months. This just makes it more official.”
“Wes, you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know I didn’t,” I said. “Like I said, I’m not trying to buy back your heart. I want to show you that I heard you when you expressed your concerns about having nothing outside of me. I want to show you that it matters to me that you feel secure and capable in your field, as you should.”
My pulse kicked up a few notches as I worked my way up to the next part of my speech, and I slipped my hand in my pocket.
“I want to show you something else,” I said, shifting off the chair and getting down on one knee.
Brynn gasped, her hand flying over her parted lips.
I popped open the small leather box, showing her the ring. “This is the real ring,” I said. “The one my grandmother gave to me.” I showed it to her, pulling out a slip of paper from my other pocket. “And this is the receipt for an engraving I had done months ago,” I said, handing it to her so she could see the date. I popped the ring out of the box, turning it so she could see what was engraved inside.
“Wes,” she breathed my name, more tears lining her eyes as she read For Brynn written in a thin script on the inside of the band.
“I had it done the day after we got home from that away game,” I said. “The one where you said you were all in too. It’s always been you, Brynn. You’re my constant in the best way, and I wouldn’t be half the man I am without you.”
She pressed her lips together, a smile forming there.
“Will you marry me?” I asked. It was by far the most important question and topic of the night, but I wanted her to know about the marketing firm first. Wanted her to know how much I supported her and would never do anything to hold her back or make her feel stuck again.
“It’s always been you too, Wes,” she said, then slipped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around my neck.
I held her against me, hauling us to standing. “Is that a yes?”
“That’s a yes,” she said, crying tears of joy and laughter.
I slanted my mouth over hers, tasting the salt of her tears on her lips as I pulled back. “I love you,” I said. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’ll never not tell you again.”
She grinned, kissing me back. “I love you,” she said, and I swore I could’ve flown if she asked me to.
“Holy shit!” Hendrix’s voice sounded from right next to us, making me jolt with Brynn in my arms. “Did you two just get engaged?”
Brynn nodded excitedly, and I shifted her to her feet so I could slide the ring on her finger.
“Hell yes!” Hendrix fist bumped the air before scooping up Brynn and hugging her, Savannah hugging me with her congratulations too. “Double celebration!” Hendrix released Brynn, grabbing his wife’s hand while tugging her back to the dance floor.
I followed suit, grabbing Brynn and spinning her around to the music.
“How do you feel about becoming Mrs. Rutherford?” I asked as we laughed and danced to the music among our friends.
Brynn scrunched up her nose in a playful way. “I don’t know if I’ll take your last name,” she said. “I don’t want you thinking that’s the only reason I want to marry you.”
“There are others?” I joked.
“A few.”
“Like?”
“You’re a really good cook,” she said. “And you look pretty amazing in an apron.”
A laugh ripped from my lungs. “Good to know you’re marrying me for the right reasons.”
She grinned up at me as I pulled her closer, the music shifting to a slower tune that I’d never forget. “Every reason is right when it comes to you.”
I swallowed hard, my heart expanding in my chest. “I get to marry my best friend,” I said. “I win.”
“You always win,” she teased.
I bent down to kiss her, claiming her mouth in a dominating, passionate way that I’d now be able to do for the rest of forever.
“Now I do,” I said. “Because nothing will ever beat marrying you.”
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
Brynn
“Weston,” I moaned his name, my entire body tingling as he ran his hands beneath my dress.
His lips crushed mine, the kiss consuming and electric as he swept his tongue into my mouth in a dominate claim. Need slammed into me, a relentless craving that pulsed between my thighs.