36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
“ Y ou’re a billionaire?” Sophie repeated, as Stone wiped wine off his tux.
She didn’t bother apologizing for spitting red wine all over him. He should know there are only so many surprises you can drop on a person at any one time before they are eventually going to explode wine out of their nose and mouth.
“A grumpy one.” He removed his overcoat, slipped his bow tie off, and unbuttoned his top buttons.
“Then none of these revelations tonight are because you found out about my recent windfall, and you’re not secretly hoping to get your hands on my fortune?” she teased.
He cocked his head. “You had a windfall, and you’re now rich? Interesting.”
“I believe so,” she responded.
He tilted his head to the other side. “I look forward to hearing the story of your windfall on our first date. Say, tomorrow morning, for breakfast.”
Sophie took a moment to steady herself, emotions swirling. “Are you really willing to chase me?” Now would be the right time to admit she loved him, but where was the fun in that? Not to mention, it deserved its own special night to be revealed.
“I am.” He smiled, the tension between them easing. “I’m quite looking forward to dating the woman who turned my world upside down with her smiles.”
“And this possibility of my being Magical?” Oh, my God. I might be Magical. “How will we research that?”
“That is something you’ll have to take up with Clarabelle,” Stone said. “She’s the one who put my brothers and me through our paces at boot camp, but I’m not sure how it works if you have magic without a wand.”
“I see. And if I am?” Sophie asked, internally pinching herself a thousand times a minute to make sure she was awake, and this was real. “Will my title change from Fairytale Coordinator to Fairy Godmother?”
Stone glanced at the liquid in his glass and thought. “I believe you could be a fairy godmother with the job title of Fairytale Coordinator.”
“I do like the sound of that.” Sophie giggled. “And this grumpy status of the guy who claims to love me? Is it negotiable?”
Stone sat both their wine goblets down, then moved into her space. “I think you’ll find him less and less grumpy the more time he spends around you.”
She placed her hands on his chest. “Poppie and I are a package. You get me, you get him.”
He placed both hands on her face. “I like Poppie. That’s not a problem. It’s a bonus.”
She licked her lip, anticipation building in her stomach. “And I’m not giving up my T-shirt business.”
“I have every belief it will thrive.” He stepped forward, and she stepped back until the counter dug into her hips.
“You have no idea,” she said. “So much happened tonight I’ve not even shared with you.”
He placed his hands on the counter on either side of her and placed his lips on her neck. “I’d love to hear all about it…later.”
“I can’t do breakfast or lunch. I have plans for both. The first with Ms. Birdie. The second with Poppie. I could pencil you in for dinner at a fancy restaurant?”
He nibbled the sensitive lobe of her ear, and she gasped.
“Nothing but the best for you.” He pushed into her, and she felt his erection against her stomach.
“Just so you know,” she said, tugging the tail of his shirt out of his pants and placing her hands on his back. “I most certainly do not have sex on the first date.”
He chuckled. “Damn. How about the night before your first date?”
She reached for his belt. “This is all so incredible. It feels like a dream.”
“I promise it’s real,” he said softly, his hands sliding under her T-shirt. “And it’s just the beginning.”
“Then let’s make the most of it. Together.”
“Together,” he echoed, pulling back and sweeping her up in his arms.
As they gazed into each other’s eyes, Sophie felt a sense of rightness, a feeling that this was where she was meant to be. With Stone, everything felt possible. Every challenge seemed surmountable. And every dream, no matter how fantastical, felt within reach.
Everyone who had ever told her she’d never be a professional daydreamer could kiss her ample derrière.
She’d done that and so much more.