Epilogue Collette
I sat beside Ian in the back of his sleek black limo as Rossi drove, the city lights streaming past the tinted windows. My midnight blue silk dress, the most expensive thing I’d ever worn, clung to my curves and my heels sparkled faintly as they caught the occasional light.
I’d been stunned when I found out the heels had tiny diamonds on them.
Ian was next to me, the epitome of calm in his sharp black suit. His hand rested casually but possessively on my thigh, grounding me with his touch.
My heart fluttered with excitement as I glanced at him. "You still haven't told me where we're going," I said, trying to coax the answer out of him.
Ian smirked, his gray eyes gleaming with mischief. "Patience, love. First, we need to stop by the office. Just for a moment."
I pouted playfully and ran my fingers along his arm. "I thought tonight was about us."
His smirk softened into something warmer. "It is. Trust me." He leaned over and brushed a tender kiss to my temple.
He’d been so gentle for so long. Incredibly possessive, but gentle. I was starting to think of ways to make him mad so we could have rougher fun. Right now, he seemed to want to be so careful of me.
The limo glided to a stop in front of Ian's towering office building. Curiosity intensified within me, mixing with a growing sense of contentment. Ian had created a research department for me to head, exploring new avenues to distribute the pharmaceuticals he manufactured. The grand structure loomed above us, so different from how it felt the first time I saw it, when I was all nerves and fear.
Though Edmond Kelly hadn’ been caught yet,
I tried to shake off my disappointment about the detour, reminding myself how meticulous Ian was about doing things in order. We had been incredibly busy catching up after he neglected his business to take care of me after Ireand. It's probably just something minor, I thought, wondering how I could help.
Ian led me through the grand marble lobby, his hand firm on the small of my back. I noted the strange quiet, the usual hum of employees noticeably absent. Must be because it's after hours.
"You didn't need to drag me along for this," I teased lightly. "Why didn't we do this at the condo?"
Ian chuckled. "You belong in every part of my world, Collette. And you need to get out again." We stepped into the elevator and he pressed the button for the top floor.
I noticed his faint smirk reflected in the polished steel doors. "You're being suspiciously quiet," I remarked, narrowing my eyes at him.
He simply lifted an eyebrow. "You'll see soon enough."
The doors slid open and my breath caught. Rose petals blanketed the floor of the hallway, soft golden lights lining the walls and giving the space an intimate ambiance that was worlds away from the professional corridor I remembered. Curtains of sheer white fabric and twinkling fairy lights obscured the walls, transforming it into something out of a dream.
"Ian..." I breathed, my hand covering my mouth as I stepped out of the elevator. He extended his hand to me and I took it, my fingers trembling slightly as he led me down the transformed corridor. The scent of roses and faint vanilla wafted through the air. Soft music played in the background, a tune I couldn't quite place but felt familiar and romantic.
"How did you...?" My voice broke with emotion. This was beyond my wildest dreams.
Ian squeezed my hand, his lips curving into a rare, genuine smile. "You're everything to me, and I've never given this to you. You're worth every detail."
Tears pricked at my eyes and I let them fall as I kissed his cheek. "This is... perfect."
He pushed open the double doors to his office and I was struck silent. The room had been transformed into an intimate, candlelit haven. A small table for two was set near the center, adorned with fine china, crystal glasses, and a centerpiece of white roses dusted with glittering snowflakes. Another larger table held an extravagant spread of food, from steaming entrees to delicate desserts. I spotted some of my favorites, even noodle soup.
My heart swelled with love and awe at the lengths Ian had gone to. He had planned all of this, just for me, for us. Gratitude and adoration surged through me. I turned to him, at a complete loss for words to express how much this meant to me, how deeply I loved him.
Ian faced me, taking both my hands in his. The way he looked at me, like I was the only woman in the world, made my knees weak. "I wanted tonight to be special. To show you how much you mean to me, Collette."
"It's incredible," I whispered. "You're incredible. I love you so much, Ian."
He drew me close, brushing his lips against mine. "I love you too. More than anything."
Ian pulled out my chair with a gentlemanly flourish, a gesture that was rare but deeply meaningful coming from him. I sank into the seat, my heart full to bursting. He poured wine into our glasses and we toasted to the evening. I could barely keep from grinning as the first sip warmed me.
As we ate, we talked softly, intimately. I reassured him that I was feeling fine, better than fine really. He told me how much the work I was doing with the new research department was helping his business efforts. I basked in the warmth of his undivided attention, in this rare unguarded side of him.
Throughout the meal, I noticed Ian's gaze lingering on me, his usual intensity softened with something deeper—something almost vulnerable. It made my breath catch. I had never seen him look at me quite like that before. Like I was precious, cherished.
We savored every bite of the sumptuous dinner. Ian had pulled out all the stops - foie gras, truffles, Wagyu steak, Belon oysters. Each dish was carefully curated and bursting with flavor. For dessert, a delicate passionfruit souffle that melted on the tongue.
After the last plates were cleared away, Ian rose from his chair and took my hand.
"Come here," he said softly.
Puzzled but curious, I let him guide me to stand with him. Then, to my utter shock, he dropped to one knee before me. My hands flew to my mouth as I gasped.
Ian gazed up at me, his gray eyes bright with emotion I had never seen in them before.
"Collette, I've spent so long believing I had to control everything, that love was a weakness that would destroy me. But you proved me wrong."
Tears welled in my eyes as the meaning of this hit me. Was he really...?
He opened a black velvet box, revealing the most stunning ring I had ever laid eyes on, a huge sapphire flanked by two diamonds.
"You've become my everything. My love, my partner, my reason to believe in forever. Will you marry me?"
Tears of joy streamed down my face as I dropped to my knees in front of him and cupped his face in my hands, kissing him fiercely.
"Yes!" I cried between kisses. "Yes, Ian. A thousand times, yes."
The intensity of the moment ignited a fire between us. I kissed him with abandon, tangling my fingers in his hair as he pulled me against him. "I can't wait," I breathed, my voice heavy with urgent need.
In a rush of passion, Ian rose and swept the remaining plates and glasses off the table with a clatter. I joined him standing and he lifted me onto the smooth surface, his hands roaming hungrily over my thighs, gripping my hips, hiking my dress up around my waist.
Ian yanked my panties down and maneuvered them around my heels, then unzipped. Springing free, he slid his cock up and down my folds, moistening it just enough to be able to thrust into me. He pushed in and out, harder and harder, whispering dirty words into my ear as our bodies collided with an urgency that was somehow both savage and tender.
I gloried in his return to dominance. Every touch zinged through me, every thrust ignited another fiery wave of pleasure between us.
Panting, I arched my back as he took me harder, his eyes locked on mine in a heated gaze that demanded everything from me. The table creaked under our combined weight, but we ignored it. All that mattered was the erotic storm raging around us.
"Please," I moaned brokenly, my nails digging into his shoulders as I hovered on the edge of oblivion.
"Say my name," he growled, his voice raw with lust. His thrusts matched his command, harsh fierce and loving at the same time.
"Ian!" I cried out as an orgasm tore through me with an intensity that left me breathless. It seemed to be the trigger he needed too—he roared my name as his body quaked. We collapsed against each other covered in sweat, hearts racing wildly in unison, bodies spent but souls replete.
Ian tenderly brushed a loose strand of hair from my face in a soft, reverent caress. "I love you."
My heart felt like it might burst with joy. I smiled up at him, vision blurred by happy tears.
"I love you too, Ian. I’m yours, forever."
He kissed me then, gentle and sweet. His words rang in my ears like the most sacred vow:
"You’ve chosen me forever, Collette. I'll love you, protect you, and cherish you. Always."
In that perfect moment, I had no doubts. This complicated, brilliant, passionate man was mine. And I was his - heart, body and soul. For now and for always.