Blame it on the Champagne (Blame it on the Alcohol #1) - Fiona Cole Page 0,46
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?”
“I won’t hide our marriage, Verana. This is where we both work. How long did you think it would take for them to find out? Besides, you’re mine, and I want everyone to know it,” I added, rounding my desk, giving a pointed look to the ring.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes at the precious stone. “Where did you get this? A gumball machine on your way to work this morning?”
“It was my mother’s, which was her mother’s. I got it from the bank the morning after you signed the contract.”
All cockiness drained from her face. “Oh.”
I sat in my seat and shifted papers around but didn’t see any of them. Instead, I focused on her taking soft steps to the chairs across from my desk and gracefully sitting on the edge. Her fire from moments ago gone, lost under her gaffe.
She studied the ring and twisted it this way and that. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
My heart lurched, wondering what my mother would say at seeing it on her. Would she approve?