Epilogue
EPILOGUE
S ix months later
Sebastian
“I demand to know where you’re taking me,” Kacey barked out.
“You don’t appear to be in a place to make a single demand.” I was grinning as I looked down at her shackled wrists. The handcuffs Stephanie had purchased certainly came in handy.
She huffed and wiggled in the seat. “Well, at least take this blindfold off so I can see where we’re going.”
“I repeat. You’re in no position to make demands. Besides, it will ruin the surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“Learn.”
“Meanie.”
“Bad girl.” In the months since the fiasco with the now nonexistent company, we’d worked side by side for long hours, struggling to keep the creative buzz going while exhaustion had slowly started to take hold. Fortunately, Steven had been there the entire time, working just as hard if not harder.
After successfully moving our corporate headquarters into a new building, we’d transitioned clients from World Hospitality Corporation to Winfield Partners, and acquired several hotels and resorts all while continuing to build additional luxury planes. Suddenly, they seemed more sought after than we’d planned for.
In addition, our stocks were soaring.
Now was time to finally enjoy the spoils of the war we’d waged and won.
She huffed and continued squirming. I could hardly keep my eyes on the road. However, this was one surprise she deserved. It was her baby. Her inspiration.
And she was the reason for all the changes in my life. Because of her, I was closer to my family than I’d been in years. Because of her, I was finally happy with the corporation and enjoyed spending time with my employees.
Because of her, I wanted to get up every morning and couldn’t wait to face whatever challenge was brought our way. And because of her, I felt the light of love.
I pulled into the airport where we had several hangars, parking in the small executive lot set aside for members of our company.
“Stay right here,” I told her.
“I’m going to use these handcuffs on you. Trust me.”
“I do and where we’re going, you’ll have both the time and space.” As if I would dare unleash her from the bed. Not a chance.
I tossed my keys to one of the airline attendants waiting for our arrival. “Have our bags loaded on.”
“Yes, sir.”
I moved to the door and was certain she’d locked me out, chuckling that she hadn’t thought of it. “Come on, baby girl. I’ll guide you.”
She gripped my arm and as we started walking toward the small concourse, she held her head high. As if it was every day someone was brought through any facility handcuffed and blindfolded.
Once inside, she was able to hear a few announcements. “Are we in an airport?”
“I don’t know,” I told her. “Are we?”
“Where are you taking me?’
“So demanding. I’m glad I brought an implement with me. I’ll enjoy making your bottom a delicious shade of red.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Oh, yes, I will.” With this being our inaugural flight, we had the entire plane to ourselves along with a couple of flight attendants. This would be one luxury doubtfully repeated. Then again, she would never know what kind of surprises I had up my sleeve.
There was no waiting, no check in. We simply walked down the gateway toward the plane. As I walked her inside, I nuzzled against her ear. “What do you smell?”
“Metal and leather. An interesting combination.”
“What else?”
She took another deep whiff. “Vanilla. And is that cinnamon?”
“Good catch.” I’d selected a cabin and decided to make the grand reveal there. We’d return to the bar later, enjoying every aspect of the shorter flight with champagne.
I led her inside and studied her for a few seconds, remaining quiet.
“Let me out of the handcuffs.”
I did adore her rebellious tone. “What’s the word?”
“Fine. Please.”
“Keep going. You’re getting warmer.”
“Pretty please?”
“Try again,” I growled.
“O-kay. Pretty please with sugar and cherries on top. Sir.” She inched closer, pursing those luscious lips of hers.
“Mmm… Much better.” I removed the small key from my pocket, unshackling her bindings. “Now, close your eyes.”
“I have a blindfold on.”
I turned her around, swatting her bottom. “Obedience. Are they closed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl.” I removed the blindfold, shoving it and the handcuffs into my pocket. “You can open them now. Tell me what you see.”
Kacey remained silent for a few seconds. “A new design.”
“Your design to be exact.”
She spun around, staring at me incredulously. “You’re serious?”
“Go take a look.”
She spun in a circle, taking in the king-sized bed and lush surroundings, even running her fingers over the exquisite Egyptian cotton sheets. She moved quickly into the bathroom, taking another deep whiff.
“You approve?” I asked.
“This is incredible. More so than I imagined.”
“Come on. I’ll take you to the salon where we’ll strap in for takeoff.”
She moved around me, half jogging into the main areas. I stood watching as she moved down the length of the airplane, studying the various lounges and the kitchen before returning. When she threw her arms around me, she almost knocked both of us over.
“I love it. This is beautiful. You didn’t tell me you’d talked with the designers.”
“Because I wanted it to be a surprise. We are personally taking this to Francis Kane. This will be his private plane, used to help sell the business.”
“You mean the lifestyle.”
“That’s why I keep you around.” I took her by the hand, leading her to the leather seats. As we sank down in them, I could feel the heat of her gaze.
“You better be keeping me around for more than just reminding you how special Winfield Partners is.”
“Maybe. You’ll have to prove it to me later.”
“I’ll think of something.”
“I’m certain you will.” I laughed as the flight attendant approached, explaining everything as she would in a typical commercial flight.
Once we were settled and the plane was ready to take off, I pulled her hand to my lips, pressing kisses against them. I knew I was the luckiest man in the world.
We remained quiet until we were in the air and only minutes later, the flight attendant brought us some champagne, quickly disappearing.
“Champagne. A nice touch,” she cooed.
“Only the best.”
“What are we celebrating?”
“New business. Old business. New clients. Old clients. Isn’t that enough?”
“Hmmm…” She took a few sips of her drink. “Where are we going? Certainly you can tell me now.”
“Las Vegas. We also have a new resort to christen.”
“Christen. I like the sound of that.”
I chuckled and felt the lump in my pocket. “I also had something else in mind. I wondered if you were game.”
“I’m game for almost anything.”
Why not just go for it. “I was thinking we could make our way to a little chapel I know near the resort.”
“A little chapel. Now, why would we go there?”
“I thought we’d get hitched.”
Kacey spit out a few drops of bubbly. “And here I thought you were a romantic after all.”
“What do you think?”
“A Cracker Jack box ring?”
“Something like that.” I unfastened my seatbelt, trying once again to surprise her by getting on a bended knee. “How about this? Ms. Kacey Taylor. Would you do the honor of marrying me?” I opened the box and she gasped. “My diamond in the rough needed a diamond ring to suit her. What do you say? Will you step into the next adventure with me?”
Her mouth was partially opened from surprise, yet she lifted her gaze. “There’s one thing that’s missing. Do you love me?”
Our relationship had started out filled with passion, quickly shifting to annoyance then anger. It had come full circle, our former arguments turning to silly banter, our heated nights becoming explosive. “Let me tell you something. You brought me back to life. Not just for now or the foreseeable future, but for the long term. You are the bright spot in my world and I intend on spending my days loving you in return because I can honestly say for the first time in my life, you are the woman I love and plan on spending the rest of my life with. If you’ll have me.”
I pulled out the ring, waiting to hear her answer.
She blinked, wrinkled her nose, and held up her index finger.
“On one condition.”
“Always with you,” I growled.
“Uh-huh. I’ll marry you if we can have Elvis at the wedding.” Her eyes sparkled as she burst into laughter.
“Baby. You can have anything you want. As long as you follow my rules.”
The End