30. Chapter Thirty
Maddie
My office overlooks the city. The first time I walked into it, I ran to the glass and looked out the window, marveling.
“For me?” I squealed.
“Yep,” Ramsey responded. “Right next to mine.” He shot an accusing glare Chance’s way.
Chance simply shrugged. “What do you think?”
“I love it!” I could barely keep from hopping in one spot.
Even though it’s half of Chance’s and was covered in dust from lack of use, it was mine. I spent the next week cleaning up, decorating, and giving it character.
Right now, it’s a playful purple and pink with pretty artworks on the walls. I have a sitting area with two couches and a cute little coffee table.
The space brings me joy.
Not today, though.
Right now, I’m neck-deep in work and I have zero time to admire my handiwork. Being the new co-lead of the marketing department means I have a lot to live up to for my first campaign. And it’s a drag.
Now, I understand why Ramsey’s always grumpy.
At first, when Chance appointed me in this position, the man griped, but two weeks later, he started to warm up to me. And now, we’re doing great—if that means being civil to each other.
I’ve always suspected he’s fine with me taking the position because he doesn’t have to be under scrutiny all by himself now. And boy, do we get some serious scrutiny.
It doesn’t matter that Chance and I carpool to work and back home every day. When we’re here, it’s all business and he calls me out the way he does any of his other employees.
Hell, I once mentioned I’d rather go back to being just his PA because he used to give me some slack then. He frowned thoughtfully, but I kissed that thought away. I love my new position.
Plus, he has a new PA to take care of his tasks. It’s a step in the right direction for him since he’s easing back on being so tied to his work.
Wait, where was I?
Yes, we have to establish a committee that would take care of monitoring the progress of the campaign. I type this down, then scroll up to go over my notes again.
There’s a knock at the door and the lock turns. I look up.
Long legs covered in warm brown slacks step into the office. My lips curve into a smile as I let my gaze sweep up his frame to his face.
Chance lifts a brow, a smile in his eyes. “What?”
“Nothing.” I shrug. “You’re just a sight for sore eyes.”
He tsks as he rounds my desk to stand behind me. “Stressed?” He palms my shoulders and massages away the kink in my neck.
“Mm-hmm.” I shut my eyes and bow my head, opening up for more of his touch.
He chuckles lightly and leans in to kiss my nape.
A shudder rushes through me and I bite back a moan.
“Is it good?” he rumbles against my ear.
“Very.” I adjust in my seat, giving my center some much-needed friction.
“I saw that.” He kisses my nape again.
“I wanted you to.” I raise my head and his hands fall off, then I spin around so I’m facing him.
My dress is caught around my mid-thighs and I widen my legs. His eyes catch on the movement and his eyes darken.
“Here for a mid-morning snack, Mr. Easton?”
His throat bobs.
I’ve got him.
I reach for his belt buckle, for sure he’s going to let me, but he catches my hands.
“That’s not why I’m here.” His voice is strained like that’s the last thing he wants to say.
“Then why are you here?” I flip my hair over one shoulder, baring my neck.
Chance grins and looks away. “Stop tempting me.”
“Come on. You’re hard enough to fuck through steel.” I palm the tent in his slacks and he moves away. “Let’s just steal a moment.”
“No, really, we can’t.” His eyes take on a warm light. “You have to come with me. There’s a surprise waiting for you.”
My brows furrow. “Really?”
“I swear it.”
“And where is this thing?”
“Is it a thing?” He scrunches up his face adorably. “I don’t know. But you’ll know when you see.”
“Chance,” I warn, rising to my feet and adjusting my dress. “This better be good.”
He adjusts his hard-on. “I promise, it is.” He leans in and smacks a kiss on my cheek. “I won’t dare play a prank when you’re this horny.”
“What do you mean by this horny ?” I gasp. “You were the one that touched me first.”
He places a hand on my lower back and guides me to the door. “And you responded.”
“Yes, because you started it.”
“You could have easily just said no.”
His tone is playful but I’m a mite pissed. “You know what? I’m saying no to you tonight.”
We break out into the corridor and he leans in to whisper in my ear. “You most certainly won’t.”
A shiver slices through me and my breath hitches. “I will. Watch me.”
I prance off, leaving him in my wake.
“Oh, I’m definitely watching.”
I turn around to find him staring at my backside. “You don’t get that either!” I hurry back and nudge him forward, coming up behind him. “Now go show me this surprise you have for me.”
Some staff we walk past keep their gazes ahead, while others glance in our direction with a smile. It’s no secret now that we’re a couple.
After three months, I’m certain the whole building knows it. And it’s not like we’re great at hiding it, or even trying to.
Chance kisses me every opportunity he gets and no matter who’s around. It pleases me to know he’s not ashamed of us, so I clasp my hand around his elbow every time we’re walking next to each other.
We round a corner to the main area of the floor when I come to a gasping halt. My hands fly to my mouth as I stare at the scene before me.
My dad, mom and Natalie stand next to Julia, chatting about heaven knows what. All I do know is that my eyes are filling up and I can’t breathe.
I turn to Chance. “You didn’t.”
His smile is pleased. “Let’s go say hi.”
Halfway there, I scream, “Mom, Dad!”
Mom rushes forward and hugs me tightly. “My baby, I’ve missed you so, so much.”
Dad squeezes us both. “So good to see you, kiddo.”
I breathe in their scents and feel their comforting warmth. “How on earth are you two here?”
After deciding to remain on Magic Island, I wanted to see my family and Nat, but work at the company kept me from leaving. I promised myself I’d leave once the campaign was underway.
And now they’re here!
I pull away to draw Natalie into a hug. “I missed you so much.”
She holds me tight. “I missed you too, babe.”
I stand back and look over their smiling faces. “Now someone, tell me how this is possible! I’m dying.”
“Don’t say that, love,” Mom chides.
“People who are dying don’t announce it,” Dad adds.
I laugh until my eyes fill up, then I wipe at them.
“Chance contacted me saying that he’d like to bring your parents over since you missed them,” Nat explains. “So I asked and they were game, so here we are.”
I spin to face Chance. Unable to hold back, I palm his face and kiss him with all the love growing in my heart. When I pull away, my parents are looking at me expectantly.
“Mom, Dad, meet Chance Easton, my boyfriend.” I thread my fingers through his. “And Chance, these are my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe.”
As they exchange greetings, I feel my heart fill up. All the people I care for are here, what more can I ask for?
Much more, apparently.
Chance had a whole family dinner planned. Mine and his. All together on one table.
He picked an outdoor restaurant, and at seven p.m., we are all gathered underneath the setting sun.
Dan clicks his silverware on his glass and draws everyone’s attention. His speech about treasuring moments like this warms my heart.
I look over at the group. Dan and my dad are wrapped up in a conversation. My mom and Aunt Felicia are bonding over their love for cooking. Lucy and Natalie are talking, occasionally pointing to Natalie’s hair. Baxter’s caught in a one-sided conversation with Landon.
Me and Chance? I turn left to meet his eyes. He’s staring at me with the softest look that sends a shiver through me.
“Cold?” He frowns.
I’m not, but he’s already tugging off his jacket. It’s off him when something falls out of the inner pocket.
He bends and his head hits the underside of the table. “Shit.”
“I’ll get it.” I stand and crouch.
“No, don’t!”
Why does he sound alarmed? I know it’s unladylike to be crouched in an evening gown as I am but no one cares, I’m sure.
I grab the... velvet box and pause. I meet Chance’s eyes. He grimaces.
“Wh—” I swallow my thoughts. I can’t jump to conclusions. Not until I see what it is for sure.
I come up with the box and he reaches for it even before I can get a look.
“Hey!” I keep it out of his reach, raised over my head.
His brows draw down. “Give it back.”
Now, everyone’s watching us.
“No. I picked it off the floor fair and square.”
“Maddie.” He reaches for me again.
I kick back the seat and jump out of the way. He doesn’t stop coming after me. I run around the table to the delight of our families.
“Go, Maddie,” Baxter cheers. “Don’t give it back!”
Chance shoots his brother a glare before looking back at me with a plea in his eyes.
I’ve managed to keep four chairs between us this entire time. “Just let me see it, then I’ll stop.”
“No, you can’t—”
I pop the box open. A diamond ring winks at me. Everyone sees it too because we all fall silent.
My heart thuds. I look up to meet his eyes.
“I was going to propose,” he says slowly. Then his gaze drops. “I guess I botched it.”
Love for him fills my chest. “No, you haven’t.”
I walk over to where he stands. It takes some maneuvering since I’m in heels but eventually, I get down on one knee.
Chance’s eyes twinkle. “What are you doing?”
“I guess since I have the ring,” I hold the open box out to him. “I’m doing the asking. Will you marry me, Chance Easton?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Of course, I will. But the question was yours to answer.” He pulls me up. “Maddie, will you be my wife?”
“Yes.”
Someone gasps and an uproar fills the air. Chance pulls me against himself, kissing me deeply.
He lets go and takes the ring, slipping it onto my finger. He only gives me a moment to admire it before he’s drawing me up against his chest again.
“I love you,” he whispers.
“I love you, Chance,” I respond. “Now and always.”
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