Chapter 16 Hope
HOPE
Song: Badass Woman by Meghan Trainor
Yes.
“You’re sure about this?” Justice asked from his seat beside mine.
“Yep,” I answered, clicking “add attachment” on the email.
“You don’t have to do this if you’re unsure.”
I hit send on the email, sitting back in my chair with a satisfied sigh. “Too late now.”
The past few weeks had been tumultuous. Justice had moved into the farmhouse with Gran and me after we’d broken his bed during a particularly vigorous morning.
I’d learned he hated mornings unless I woke him with my mouth around his cock, and he’d learned I needed space to write, or I became grumpy…. Unless I needed inspiration for a particularly steamy scene.
Our relationship had been marred with the weight of the bully allegations and the intense media scrutiny leveled our way—until yesterday.
The shadow Ciara had cast over my life had been removed.
The company had even released a public statement from the independent investigator noting that the allegations against me were baseless, a product of jealousy and ill intentions from a coworker who sought to tarnish my reputation for her own gain.
Justice had waged a full-on war against the tide of negative opinion, standing by my side throughout the whole ordeal and releasing statement after statement that proclaimed his support of me.
The full report hadn’t been released publicly but reading through it I’d been struck by the avalanche of evidence of Ciara’s vendetta against me. She’d wanted my job and had been willing to do anything she could to get it.
While the truth had come to light, the damage had been done, and I knew it was time to move on from this toxic environment.
It’s time to follow my dreams.
“Hey.”
I turned to look at Justice.
“Proud of you.”
I shifted out of my chair to climb into his lap, straddling him as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You do realize that this means I’m about to be unemployed.”
He grinned. “I think you mean you’re about to be a full-time author.”
The words sounded sweet.
“Full-time author,” I murmured, loving how they tasted on my tongue. “I’m living the dream.”
He nuzzled into my neck, gently pressing slow kisses to my sensitive skin. “I have more good news.”
I tilted my head to one side, granting him further access. “Mm?”
“The assisted living facility has an opening. Your Gran can move in at the end of the month.”
My arms tightened around Justice as I pulled back to stare down at him. A future began to open before me, one I’d never considered.
“Justice… I….” Words failed me.
“Well, here’s your next question,” he said, shifting to catch my hand. From seemingly out of thin air a ring appeared. Slowly, he slid it onto my ring finger.
“The next leg of the tour kicks off next month,” he said. “And I know you wanted to wait until Gran was settled, but with her moving out, I thought….”
I stared down at the unique ring, admiring the sapphires and diamonds that dotted the white gold band, turning my hand this way and that as they sparkled in the afternoon light.
I forced myself to look away from the gorgeous piece, barely able to believe this was happening.
“You thought?” I prompted, my heart in my throat.
He cupped my face, his thumb brushing gently over my cheek.
“You might like to join me. Firstly, because all these destinations will give you more fodder for your next series. And secondly, we could get married in Italy.” He leaned in to nibble a kiss across my lips.
“And France.” Another kiss. “And London.” A third kiss. “And Australia.” A fourth. “And—”
I caught his head in my hands, holding him still as I took over, pouring into the kiss all the joy and love I had for this amazing man.
“Yes, to all the adventures I can have with you,” I whispered. “But we only really need one wedding.”
“You sure? Cause I kind of like the idea of multiple wedding nights.”
I giggled. “Of course, you do.”
He chuckled then hauled himself up to a stand, holding me to him as he walked across to the bed. “Love you, Hope Higgins.”
“And I love you, Justice Wild.” I kissed him as he lowered us to the bed. “Now, make love to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”