Epilogue
EPILOGUE
SIAN
One year later
I finish balancing the books before I shut down for the night. I still have some private work to do for Tate when I get home, but that can wait until later. First, I want something to eat.
I check my phone as a text comes through. It's from Tate, telling me we're going out for dinner tonight. I'm surprised he's not working the club circuit tonight, but he loves to surprise me and spend time with me.
It was hard to explain to Rowan that Tate and I were a thing in the beginning. She thought he was arrogant and bossy and didn't see in him what I saw, but she's slowly warmed to the idea of him. She has a love/hate relationship with Rick, and their issues are too much for me to handle. I’m sure they’ll work things out eventually.
I pick up my handbag and take the elevator down the building. There's a sedan waiting for me, Clint behind the wheel.
"Hello, Clint," I say.
"Sian."
I sit back and look out of the window as Clint drives us out into the countryside towards the estate. "Mr. Matthews has laid out an outfit for you and has asked you to dress for dinner. He's taking you out."
"I got the text," I say with a smile. "Thank you, Clint."
Clint smiles. I know he has a soft spot for me, which is why he volunteered to be my guard. I can't have him up in the office because people would have questions, but he poses as my driver, and no one questions that. They know my boyfriend is well-off, and so am I since my promotion. Since Daniel, I've found my voice. I've been going for promotion after promotion, determined to build myself up. I want to open my own company. I want to be the best in the business, and I want to do it without Tate's help.
We pull up to the estate, which is where I live now with Tate. I haven’t decided what I want to do with my grandma’s house just yet, and there’s no rush for me to make that decision either.
Clint opens the door for me, and I head upstairs. I hear Tate in his office, but he sounds busy, so I go directly to our room. There's a beautiful dress laid out on the bed with a pair of cute heels. The dress is backless, Tate's favorite kind. I put my handbag down and get out of my work clothes, crossing to the en-suite bathroom to get under the shower and wash off the day. Once I'm done showering, I dry off and blow dry my long hair. Tate likes that I've grown my hair out much longer than it was. He especially likes when I braid it before we go to bed. I only need one guess as to why that is, and I love it.
I slip into the dress and heels and sit down at my vanity to do my makeup. Tate walks up behind me. "Evening," he says, kissing the top of my head. "I'm going to shower."
"Okay, babe," I say. "Enjoy."
He smirks and leaves. When I'm done, I pick out a handbag to go with my new dress and put on some jewelry while Tate gets dressed. I wait at the door for him, watching him hungrily. I do love seeing my man half-naked. There's something about him and the way he loves me that drives me wild. It reflects in the number of times we fall into bed together. Who needs a gym?
Tate comes out looking, somehow, smarter than usual. I raise an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
"Can I not look good for my woman?" he asks. "Come. We're going to be late."
I take his hand and walk downstairs with him. "Who's taking us?"
"I'm driving," he says.
"Intimate. I like it. Are we celebrating something?" I ask curiously.
"Just us," he says as we walk out to his Ferrari, and he opens the passenger door. I climb in and buckle up as he shuts the door and goes around to the driver’s side. “I thought we'd go to Black and Blue for dinner."
"I love Black and Blue. It's my favorite steak restaurant."
"I know." Tate chuckles. "How was work?"
I start to tell him about my day, and he listens intently. When I first started telling him about my day, he'd threaten to kill people, but he doesn't do that anymore. He knows I can handle myself.
We reach Black and Blue. It isn't as fancy as some restaurants, but it's my favorite, nonetheless. Tate lets the hostess lead us to a table, and we sit down opposite each other. Tate orders for us, knowing what I want to eat and drink; I love when he takes charge. He takes my hand across the table and laces our finger together. "You look so beautiful."
"You have excellent taste," I comment with a small smile. He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it.
"I'll enjoy peeling that dress off your body later," he murmurs.
I blush. "Tate, we're in public."
"You love it," he says in a low voice.
He’s so goddamn sexy. I slide a foot forward and up his leg. He looks at me with a smirk. "Don't end dinner early. I've got plans for you."
"I like your plans." I grin and squeeze his hand.
The waitress brings our drinks, and Tate tells me about his day. Not the illegal business, but just a general overview of the coverups of his work and how the clubs are doing.
We fall into an easy silence as we eat, though Tate looks a little unsettled. I watch him for a moment before I eat another piece of steak, wondering what the best way to approach this is. If there's something he needs to tell me, he should just come out and tell me. It's not like we keep secrets from each other.
I finish eating and sip my wine, looking at him. "So, what has you on edge?"
Tate smirks. "You can tell?"
"Yes, I can tell." I smile. "What's bothering you?"
"Nothing’s bothering me, there's just something I want to do that I'm a bit worried about."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Tate smiles. "Let's go for a walk and we can discuss it."
He calls for the bill and pays, leaving a hefty tip like he always does. He stands up and offers me his arm before guiding me out.
We walk along the pavement together to the park nearby, but he still doesn't say anything.
We come upon a picnic area lit with candles, and I look at him. "What's this?"
"I thought we could have the same champagne you threw on me the first night we met." He chuckles. "After all, that's what really brought us together."
"We are celebrating something, aren't we?" I ask with a sly smile. As he descends to one knee, my hands fly to my mouth. "Tate..."
"Sian, for the longest time, it's always been me against the world. Now, you are my world." He takes out a small box and opens it up to reveal a beautiful, large diamond ring. "You are my everything. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Please, would you do me the honor of marrying me?"
I wipe my eyes and nod. "Of course I'll marry you."
He chuckles and takes the ring out, slipping it onto my finger. He stands, and I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. He returns the kiss, holding me against him.
When we eventually break apart, he kneels down to pour the champagne while I inspect my new ring. I can feel my heart bursting with the love I have for him. We never spoke about getting married or indeed much about our future at all. We knew we wanted each other no matter what, and that was enough for me. This, though, is magical. Knowing we’re going to be a family. After my grandma died, I didn't think I'd feel that feeling of having a family again, but now, it seems possible. Tate hands me a glass of champagne and I clink mine against his. "Mr. Matthews."
"Soon-to-be Mrs. Matthews," he says with his customary smirk.