Epilogue – Olivia
EPILOGUE
OLIVIA
Two Years Later
My brand new business—The Spencer & Her Pen—was situated in a gleaming office park that overlooked the Hudson River.
With my law degree long finished, I was studying for the bar exam in between pairing my love for writing and the legal world together.
I wanted to build it as the premiere place where people could go for deep research on their opponents. So far, despite the fact that most of the office was dripping in sawdust and wet paint, I had sixteen clients.
I’d managed to hire Max as my full-time digital researcher and Mara (much to Liam’s chagrin) helped me twice a month on the weekends.
She claimed I was “so much easier to work for,” so it was only a matter of time before I completely poached her away from Liam.
“Miss Spencer!” My new secretary suddenly stepped into my doorway. “Miss Spencer, we have a huge problem.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve told this gentleman multiple times that you’re not available for any visits, but he refuses to listen,” she said. “He just barged past my desk, claiming he’s a judge, and—”
“Hello, Olivia.” Liam stepped next to her, and my breath hitched in the way it did on the day we first met.
Somehow, this man was still capable of turning me on with ease, and I’d long given up on waiting for that to ever end.
“Your secretary needs to update your VIP list.” He smirked. “Given the fact that I should be number one, I’m pretty sure I have special privileges.”
“No, you don’t, Liam.”
“Oh?” He arched a brow. “Do I need to reconsider the ones you have at my chambers, then?”
“No.” I blushed. “Jillian, this is Liam. Liam, this is Jillian.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Is Liam a real judge or did he make that up with the VIP nonsense?”
“I’m a real judge.” Liam extended his hand to her. “Good to know you’ve never set foot in my courtroom. I might be lenient on you if you ever end up there.”
“I won’t,” she said. “I’m not a criminal.”
“Neither was your boss.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She looked between us, but neither of us gave an answer.
“Anyway...Hopefully your boyfriend will let me do my job and ask for your permission to come back here the next time he decides to randomly stop by.” She shook his hand, but gave him a long stare. “That’s a warning, Judge Liam.”
“It’s Judge Ashton.” He smiled at her. “Very nice to meet you, Jillian.”
“Hmmmph!” She rushed away, and I held back a laugh.
“Hang onto her for as long as you can,” he said. “She’s the best type of employee.”
“Because she hates you?”
“Because she wants to protect you,” he said. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“No,” I said. “I was just organizing some things.”
“Well, that’s disappointing to hear,” he said, shutting the door. “You left my bed three hours early this morning. Just to organize things?”
“I’m just excited to have my own business.”
“I’m sure.” He stepped closer. “Well, after the loss of my entire flock of clerks last week, I’m here to make you a special offer, Miss Spencer.”
“I’ll pass.” I shook my head. “You and I working together again is a terrible idea, and you know it.”
“This is a different type of offer,” he said.
“It’s still a pass, Your Honor.” I smiled at him. “I appreciate your consideration, though.”
“Then let me finish it…” He grabbed my hands and pulled me flush against his chest. Then he slowly kissed my lips, making me regret leaving his bed.
“I really hate when I hear someone calling you Miss Spencer,” he whispered. “It really bothers me.”
“That’s something you should take up with my parents.”
“I took a flight to see them last weekend.”
“Huh?” I asked. “What do you mean?”
He pressed a kiss against my forehead and slowly got down on one knee.
My heart skipped several beats all at once, and I pressed a hand against the wall to steady myself.
“I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to do this, Olivia,” he said, grabbing my hand. “But… I can’t wait anymore.”
He paused, using his other hand to pull out a black velvet box.
“The past two years have been the best years of my life, and I don’t want to live another one without you being mine,” he said. “And I know you’re still figuring things out for yourself, but—”
“Objection.” I interrupted him.
“What?”
“Objection,” I repeated.
He blinked. “On what grounds?”
“Just wanting to say yes.”
“I haven’t finished my speech yet.”
“You don’t have to.”
“You also haven’t seen the ring…”
“I don’t need to see it.” Tears pricked my eyes. “Yes, Liam. I say yes.”
He smiled and slowly stood up, pulling me against his chest.
“I worked on this speech for weeks.” He gently bit down on my bottom lip. “And I researched this goddamn ring for half a year…”
“So?”
“So,” he said, kissing me. “After I get done taking you against this desk, you’re going to listen to the entire thing and then admire the ring and act completely surprised about it.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because I figured you would find a way to fuck up my first attempt.” He smiled, sliding his hands under my dress. “I just didn’t realize how.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“I would never insult you, Olivia….Now that you don’t work under me, I mean.”
I laughed as he yanked off my panties and stuffed them into his pocket.
“But the point is,” he said, “I promised your family and friends that I would let them see me proposing to you live…”
“Oh…” My cheeks were on fire. “Well, in that case, it’s a good thing you know me so well.”
“Tell me about it.” His lips landed on mine, and he pushed me back against the desk as promised.
—The End, Again—