Beauty and the Boss - MINK Page 0,33

with how I feel about him. His own mother knew how he was. Nana, rest her soul, left that company partially to me, and I’m going to do the right thing. With my head high and my shoulders back, I pull the door handle to the main floor. I barely get it open before Liam is pushing me back inside.

“It’s cold and rainy out.” His eyebrows draw together. “You shouldn’t be out here dressed like this.”

Me? He’s soaked from head to toe. I grab his cold hand and lead him up the stairs into my apartment as apologies fall from his slightly blue lips.

“Were you trying to marry me?” I ask.

That’s what I really need to be answered, because that would be messed up. It’s one thing to try and talk me into selling my part of the company, but another to try to get his hands on it because we were married. Honestly, I’m still shocked that I even have a part of the company. But I’m not surprised my father hid that important detail from me. There were so many times in my life that I’d wished my father would have been around more or spent more time with me. I realize now that I’m lucky he wasn’t around, because he’s a selfish human being who’s going to end up alone and miserable. I don’t want that for my life.

Turning to Liam, I let his hand go. “Answer the question.”

“Was I trying to marry you?” he asks. “I’m going to need you to be more clear.” He clenches his hands at his sides, and I know he wants to reach out and grab me but he’s trying to control himself.

“What do you mean? How can I be more clear?” I throw my hands up. I want answers that will unbreak my heart. That will, at least, make some of the hurt go away and lift the dark cloud that seems to hover over me.

He takes a deep breath, though it has a shiver to it. “Do you mean when I started this plan or after I met you?”

I think his words over. “Before,” I half whisper, getting a feeling I know what he means. My heart starts to pound.

“No.” He gives one shake of his head.

My ears start to tingle, my mind going fuzzy. “And now?”

“Yes.” He takes a step toward me. “All I want is you now. I hate your father but fuck me if he didn't give me you. I have to be thankful to him for that.” His words melt the last of my restraint, and I’m not willing to give my father the satisfaction of ruining this. I believe Liam. I know deep down inside he’s telling the truth.

He takes my hands in his. “I want to marry you, sunshine. Not so that I can take your company but because I’ve fallen in love with you. I’ll understand if you can’t forgive me or if you need time. But know that my days will be dark without you to light them.” He reaches up to wipe a lone tear from my cheek. “I need you. You can save me. Only you.” He leans down to kiss me, and I return it, knowing that he’s speaking the truth not just of our past, but of our future.

I may be his sunshine, but he’s my silver lining.

Epilogue

Liam

“Mr. Baxter?”

I turn to the officiant. “Yes?”

“I think we’re ready to begin.” He smiles and motions toward the church doors at the rear.

They open, and Mr. Grumpy Pants is escorted down the aisle by Georgia’s friend, July. He walks well on his lead and arrives with a curious look up at me.

July hands the lead to Bradley and takes her place opposite us.

It’s a small ceremony, but all of the most important people in our lives are here. Georgia insisted on inviting everyone from the office, so her side of the aisle has swelled and poured over into my sparser set of pews. Georgia’s mom is here, too, and she beams at Mr. Grumpy Pants for doing his part as a grooms-kitty. It only took her a couple of days to train him.

Bradley leans over. “You think that July chick is into me?”

I glance at the maid of honor. “If she is, she’s a fool.”

“Right on.” He laughs and elbows me as she raises a brow.

I can’t be bothered with his tomfoolery at the moment, not when the doors are about to open up and reveal my greatest treasure. Scanning