Epilogue
Lincoln
I’ve been keeping a secret from Kylie. It’s not something I like doing to the woman that I love, but necessary nonetheless. After months of a battle with the judge, Walker finally worked his magic. Effective the first of January, Kylie’s parents’ life insurance will be deposited into her bank account.
I’ve asked her a couple times what she thinks the amount will be. She has no idea, and her guess was way under the actual amount. Kylie believes it will be around $500,000, if she’s lucky.
My eyes wander over to the window where snow falls down outside in the streets of the city. The holiday season normally means nothing to me. Typically, the very joy that people find in the season gets under my skin.
This year feels different.
I suppose that’s what being in love does to a man. I actually have somebody to enjoy it with.
The last couple of months have been a challenge for me, but worth it in the end. There are times I freak out and have to push through the panic of exposing my feelings.
Kylie has been patient.
We agreed to keep her in the position as Roy’s executive assistant for obvious reasons. Human Resources said as long as I have no involvement in her work evaluations or promotions, we are good.
That doesn’t mean I can’t make suggestions to Roy. Of course, I’m going to have input. That is why he agreed to let Kylie head up our internship program.
She is working with HR to come up with a suitable program where we look for talent outside of universities or competitors. I want to give more people like Kylie a chance to prove themselves.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I’m spending it with Kylie and Ben at my penthouse. We are going to make a huge Italian feast, her mother’s recipes, and exchange presents.
I have my own presents for the two of them for tomorrow, but tonight I want to tell Kylie the good news.
I’m a bit nervous to tell her. I don’t want her to feel like I kept too big of a secret from her or invaded her privacy. There’s only so long I can claim ignorance because I’ve never been in a real relationship.
I feel her presence before I see her.
I look up as she struts over to my desk in yet another skirt that makes my dick strain in my pants.
I lean back in my chair and admire the view as she approaches.
“You ready for dinner?” she asks casually as she leans against my desk.
My eyes go straight to her hips then move up her body until they meet hers. “Not exactly.”
Her eyebrows raise. “You need more time? I can go back to my desk and get some other things done if you’re busy.”
I stand up, my body towering over her. “I do have one more thing that needs to be done.”
“What’s that?” She seems intrigued now as my thumb runs along her plump bottom lip.
“Why don’t you close my door first?”
A knowing smile spreads across her face. “Sure thing, Mr. Monroe.”
I wait as she closes it softly. She turns around slowly and leans against my door. “Can I do anything else for you, Mr. Monroe?”
“You can spread those pretty little legs of yours and let me eat your pussy.”
She walks seductively back to my desk and unzips her skirt before letting it fall to the ground. “If you insist, “ she whispers before she scoots back onto my desk.
I sit down in my chair and scoot forward. “I believe I told you to spread those legs,” I growl impatiently.
“I’m sorry, sir.” She places each heel on the desk and shows me how aroused she is with a wet spot on her panties.
“Don’t let it happen again, Miss Ricci. I don’t like to repeat myself.”
She smirks at me which almost makes me break character, but I’m far too turned on to let that happen.
I still can’t get enough of this woman. I’ve been waiting for the time where I’m not so affected by every little thing about her, but it just keeps getting better.
I lean forward and pull her panties to the side. Her glistening pussy will always be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
I should take my time, but right now I can’t control my desire to have her. My mouth descends onto her pussy. I circle her clit with my tongue then suck it as hard as I can.
I can tell she desperately wants to scream from the pleasure but has to remain quiet. Her orgasm is mine. I want it now.
I add two fingers into her pussy and work them up against her walls right where I know she likes it. It’s only a matter of seconds before she’s coming on my fingers and mouth.
I stand up and catch my breath after just smothering myself in her pussy. She goes straight for my belt, fumbling with it as she tries to free my throbbing cock.
I don’t bother helping her. I like watching her eager to get her hands on me.
She pushes my black boxers down until my long, thick cock bounces free then wraps her delicate fingers around it.
Just as she brings it to her entrance, I slam into her without any warning. She gasps in surprise but I don’t let up. I thrust in and out of her with such force that she begins to slide off the other side of my desk.
I grip the top of her thighs to keep her in place. It’s hard to hold out, but as soon as I feel her pussy squeeze me, I let myself go as I fall forward on top of her.
My forehead rests on top of her shoulder as I try to even out my breathing.
“Well,” she says heavily, “that was… wow.”
I smile against her neck and place a tender kiss just below her ear. “One of these days we’re going to get caught and HR is going to come for me.”
She chuckles. “You run the show here. If anyway were to get in trouble, it would be me.”
I stand up, pulling my boxers and pants back in place. “Never. I would never allow that to happen. I’d take full responsibility before I let them say a word to you.”
The protectiveness I feel for her is intense. If anyone tried to hurt her or make her feel uncomfortable, they’d have me to deal with.
“Where do you want to eat?” She gets her skirt back in place and runs her hands through her hair.
“Actually, I have a surprise I wanted to share with you first.”
“A surprise?”
I take her hand into mine and walk us to the elevator. We ride it up to the top floor. We step out into the cement hallway.
“What do you have up your sleeve, Lincoln?”
I laugh as I open the door to the rooftop. The dome bubble tent is setup in the same place with lights strung along the top.
“Just a little place for us to have a private dinner.”
I grab her hand and walk quickly into the tent. It’s much colder outside this time.
Instead of a table, it’s setup with blankets and pillows. The lights of the city surround us.
“Lincoln, you don’t have to go through so much trouble for me,” she says as she takes a seat on the blankets.
I join her, leaning down on one elbow and extending my long legs across the space.
“I’ll never stop making a fuss for you. Come,” I pat the space next to me, “lay with me.”
I let my head hit the pillow behind me and open my arm for her. She rests her head on my shoulder while we both lie in silence and look out at the view.
“It’s such a beautiful view,” she whispers. “Thank you for doing this.”
I kiss the top of her forehead. “You’re welcome. I know it’s been an adjustment for you to be seen around the city with me. I wanted to have our privacy, and I figured a night in at my place would feel like the same old thing.”
There were a couple of photographs posted of the two of us spotted out with each other embracing or holding hands at restaurants. She’s not a huge fan of the attention. I learned a long time ago how to ignore it.
Tonight, I want our privacy. I want her to feel comfortable.
She looks up at me with tenderness in her eyes that make my heart skip a beat. “A night with you is never the same old thing.”
“I feel the same way about you.” I need to do this now before I lose the nerve. “Let’s have some wine before I text them to bring out the food.”
We both sit up and I pull the bottle of red wine from the corner of the tent and grab two glasses. I hand her a glass and we knock our glasses together.
“Cheers,” I say as the glass echoes in the night.
“Cheers.”
We both take a sip of the wine. It’s a bold flavor profile. Bold like I need to be in this moment.
“I have some news.”
Her head turns to the side curiously.
“So, you and I have talked about your parents life insurance dilemma.”
“We have.”
“And I wanted to do something to help, so I asked my buddy Walker to see what he could do.”
Her eyes open wide. “You did?”
“I hope you’re not mad. I just think it’s bullshit that they’ve denied you what is rightfully yours. Any amount of investigation would show that nothing illegal was done here, and you would benefit from getting the money early.”
“I’m not mad,” she replies.
My shoulders deflate as relief washes over me. “You’re not? I was worried you would think I overstepped into something that wasn’t my business.”
She laughs. “You do that all the time.”
“It’s just because I care.”
She reaches for my hand. “I know that. I’m not mad. I promise.”
“Good,” I smile. “Because I have some good news.”
“What’s that?”
“The judge agreed to release the money early.”
She sits up straight. “Seriously?”
I nod my head. “You get the money January 1st. It’s also not exactly the amount you thought it would be.”
A look of despair spreads across her face as she bites her lip. “I see.” She falls silent for a moment. “I suppose it was wishful thinking that it would be a big amount. I’m sure my parents didn’t expect to die that young.”
“I think you misunderstood me. It’s not the amount you thought, babe. It’s much bigger.”
The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks fly up. “What??”
“It’s not $500,000. It’s $5 million.”
Her hands cover her mouth as she gasps. Her eyes become misty. “Are you serious?” Her hands fall back down to her lap. “You better not be messing with me.”
I chuckle. “I’m not messing with you. Your father paid into the highest life insurance policy at his company.”
“Oh my god!” she screams as her arms fly around my neck. “Are you kidding me?”
I wrap my arms around her and bring her body against mine in a tight embrace. “Not at all. You don’t have to worry about money going forward. You and Ben are taken care of.”
I don’t tell her that they would be taken care of either way because I am here to do that. She’s been adamant about not taking any handouts from me.
She pulls away with tears now running down her face. “This is insane. I can’t believe it was so much money.”
“His company had great benefits. You are really lucky that he was the planning type. Some people avoid paying into anything.”
“That’s a life changing amount of money. Well, for me it is.”
That’s true. Five million to me is nothing. I make that in a month. But for her, this is the security she needs to let herself live the life that she wants. I’m aware that it might lead to her leaving my company and doing something that she’s truly passionate about, but I’m okay with that.
As long as she is happy.
“I was thinking…” I start. The palms of my hands begin to sweat. Till this day, she is the only person who can make me feel this nervous. My heart hits my chest like a punching bag. “How do you feel about moving in with me?”
Her mouth falls in shock which makes me panic. “I know it’s soon…I just hate being apart from you… and Ben. I love you guys and it feels like we’re always shuffling around the city to and from one another’s place. I understand if it’s too soon…”
I stop when he hand rests on my cheek. My heart slows from the warmth of her touch. “I’d have to ask Ben how he feels about it, but I’d love to. And I think he’d like that as well.”
“Really?” I ask hopefully.
“Really,” she smiles. “Although,” she says as she purses her lips, “are you sure you’re not just after my money?”
A deep, belly laugh rolls out. “Busted, baby.”
I grab her by the waist and pull her back against my body then lean in and kiss her lips. I never knew love could heal wounds, but that is what her love has done.
I’m not the same man that I was before I met her. I’m the man I was always supposed to be. It just took her love to make me feel safe enough to show that man to the world.