Chapter 43 Rose
ROSE
Eight months later…
My heart skipped a beat as I turned off the ignition. Adrenaline, excitement, butterflies swirling in my stomach. I looked at the red folder sitting on the passenger seat of my BMW.
It was done.
Signed.
Done.
A smile curved my lips as I gazed up at the sign above the front door.
Rose Flower Center for Counseling
A pride I’d never felt before swelled inside me as I grabbed the loan documents I’d just signed and pushed out the car door.
I’d been a bit trigger-happy by putting up the company sign before closing the loan, but that had been intentional.
Put your goal in front of you, every day, to remind you of it. Face it head on.
And I did.
I, Rose Floris, officially owned my own therapy clinic now. My own business. And the best part? The best freaking part? I owned it. No one else but me. No one else was on the loan. I’d done it all by myself.
And it felt so good.
A cool gust of wind swept past me carrying the spicy scent of fall.
I inhaled, glanced up at a sapphire blue sky speckled with white, fluffy clouds.
A beautiful day, indeed. I pulled the key from my purse, smiling down at it as if it were the golden key to Narnia or something.
I slid it into the lock, only to realize the door was already unlocked.
Frowning, I pushed through the front door.
Pop!
The cork of the champagne bottle bounced off the ceiling, pelting me in the forehead.
“Congratulations!” Zoey raised the bottle while Cameron tossed confetti into the air.
Above the front desk was a sign that read, You Did It.
Yes, I did it.
I freaking did it.
“Is it done?” Zoey asked, her excitement palpable. “It’s done, right?”
I held up the folder. “Signed, sealed, delivered. It’s done.”
She squealed again, then grabbed three Styrofoam cups and began pouring the champagne.
I smiled, looking around the small rock building I’d purchased outside of the city park.
The location alone made the building double what it was worth because it provided endless free marketing on Main Street, and to the families who frequented the park.
More than that, though, there was just something about the place.
Something calming. A pebble walkway led the way from a rock parking lot shaded by towering trees.
The building was warm, welcoming, with dark cherry-oak throughout, rounded entryways, and a beautiful stone fireplace in the new “lobby.” It had a magical, fairy, Lord of the Rings vibe when you walked in.
In addition to the lobby, there were two bedrooms that I was going to turn into office-slash-therapy rooms, a meditation room, full bathroom, and a kitchen.
And in the back was a small room where I was going to start up my Roseology podcast again. It was perfect.
And it was mine.
Zoey handed me a bubbling cup with a smirk stretching from ear to ear.
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
She jerked her chin toward the door that I’d already designated as my office. I looked at Cameron, who was also smiling.
“What’s going on?”
“Go see for yourself.”
Head cocked, I crossed the lobby and pushed through my office door.
A smile spread over my face.
Hammer in one hand, security cam in the other, Phoenix stood tall on a ladder with a pair of nails between his teeth. He glanced over his shoulder and grinned around the nails.
I grinned back. “What do you think you’re doing, Mister? I didn’t approve—”
The whirl of the drill cut me off.
He pulled the nails from his teeth and slid them into his pocket. “I’m installing a security system.”
“A camera in my office?”
He climbed down the ladder. “That’s right.”
“Hang on a second, Hot Rod. Where does the feed go?”
He ignored me, assessing his work.
“Excuse me?”
“The feed goes to a very prestigious local security company.”
I set my purse on a folding chair and crossed the room. “Would that company happen to be Steele Shadows Security?”
He looked over his shoulder and winked. “Only the best for Rose Flower.”
“So you’re going to spy on me all day?”
“Spy?” He turned, winked. “Depends on what you’re wearing.” He grabbed my waist and pulled me to him.
“Pervert.”
“Damn straight.” His lip curved as he searched my face, his gaze landing on my lips. His hands slid up the back of my shirt.
“Not here. Not now.” I giggled like a schoolgirl. “Zoey and Cam are in the other room.”
“Oh, come on. Let’s see how quiet we can be.”
“Phoenix.”
His hands dropped to my butt, squeezed.
I felt a blush sneak up my cheeks as warmth spread between my legs. It was an unavoidable side-effect to being in close proximity to Phoenix Steele, I’d learned.
But there was more to that man now.
A lot more.
Gone was the unsteady gait and the fog that used to cloud his eyes.
His hand no longer trembled when reaching for tools or tying knots.
His balance, his strength—hell, even his reflexes—were back with a vengeance.
The man was rebuilding fences at a speed that outpaced his own damn team.
His speech was sharper. His memory, clearer.
He was sharper, stronger, and steadier than I’d ever seen him.
Not just physically, but emotionally too.
The man in front of me had healed.
And he was still healing, a little more every day. But he was winning. And he knew it.
I pressed my body against his, grabbed his ass, and whispered, “Later.”
“I’m going to hold you to that, Love,” he whispered, then took a step back.
Love. It was his pet name for me since saving my life. Since not leaving my side for a single night. Since officially asking me to be his girlfriend.
Since moving in with me a month earlier.
To no one’s surprise, Phoenix had offered to buy my new clinic building for me, including a significant “loan” to get the business off the ground.
His payment terms had sent me blushing, and his demanded items for collateral sent my panties to the floor and had me doing things that I was pretty sure were illegal in several countries.
But as tempting as being Phoenix’s sex slave was, I declined because I wanted to do it by myself. It was important to me.
And I finally—finally did.
I raised the champagne. “Guess Zoey and Cam are celebrating early.”
He laughed. “They’re on their second bottle, but they didn’t want to tell the boss that.”
I laughed, then said, “There’s sparkling water in the fridge if you want some.”
He shook his head. “I’m good.”
The old Phoenix would have chugged the champagne and asked for a chaser.
The new Phoenix?
He didn’t need it.
He nodded to the folder in my hand. “Is it done?”
“Yes.” I couldn’t fight the huge smile that crossed my face.
He pulled me to him again. “I’m proud of you, baby.”
“Thank you. Me, too.”
“Not just for that.” The playful look in his eyes faded to emotion.
“I’m proud of the woman you are, the woman you’ve become.
The odds you’ve beaten. The belief in yourself.
I thought I had all that. I didn’t. You showed me how to be strong.
You inspired me to be better, Rose. I’d be nothing without you.
On that note, ” He smiled, a flash of excitement touching his eyes. “I need you to come with me.”
“Where?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I groaned. “Come on, just tell me. You know I hate surprises.”
“Yes, I know. Let’s go.”
He grabbed my hand and led me out of the office, and mid-way through a stolen kiss in the corner.
Although Zoey and Cameron hadn’t made their relationship status official, the grins they carried when they were around each other did the talking for them.
They were a cute couple and I was happy for them.
“I’ll be back… I think.” I said over my shoulder as Phoenix dragged me out the door. He bypassed my SUV and opened the passenger side door of his Chevy.
I smiled. “How does it feel to have your license back?”
“Like signing the papers on my first business.” He winked, then helped me inside, kissed my knuckles, and shut the door.
I watched him jog around the hood, an extra pep in his step. The guy was definitely up to something.
“What’s going on, Phoenix?” I asked as he slid behind the steering wheel.
He reached into the console and pulled out a black blindfold.
“Whoa. Just cause I wore it the other night doesn’t mean—”
“Shhh…”
He slid the blindfold over my eyes.
“Damn you, Phoenix.”
“That’s not what you said last time you had it on. I believe it was something to the effect of ‘put it in my’—”
“Stop.”
He laughed. The engine roared to life and we took off. To where, I had no idea. In a weak attempt to keep me preoccupied, Phoenix droned on about his security plan for my office. I zoned out thirty seconds in.
The road turned from smooth to bumpy, and finally, rolled to a stop.
“Hope you don’t like those heels.”
He helped me out of the truck and I cringed as my new Manolo Blahnik’s sank into what I imagined was a very muddy field.
A breeze swept through my hair, silk over my skin.
I can’t explain the sudden warmth that ran over my body, my soul.
It was an instant happiness. Like I was exactly where I was supposed to be at that moment.
In my life.
I heard shuffles, maybe a few whispers, and a new scent carried through the wind—freshly chopped lumber.
We stopped.
“You ready?”
I sucked in a breath. “I think so?”
The blindfold was removed—and my heart fell to my feet.
My mouth dropped as I looked at the newly constructed horse stables with a sign that read Rose Flower Equine Therapy Center over the double doors. It was bright red, with white trim, sparkling under the autumn sun. It was glorious.
Gage, Gunner, Axel, the rest of the Steele Shadows Security team, stood in front. Jagg, and a mirror image of the detective, that I could only assume to be his brother, stood to the side.
June stood proudly in the middle.
Tears filled my eyes. “Oh my God,” the words came out in a breathy whisper. “Phoenix.” I turned to him. “How did you do all this without me knowing? I can’t…”
“Yes you can. Consider this my rent payment for moving in with you. Your therapy clinic is all yours, this is just an extension of it. It’s a Steele Shadows Security investment in the community. In those in need of help.”
I was at a loss for words.
Gage stepped forward. “We’re all going to help.
You’ll have more than enough volunteers and manpower.
Your boy here,” he nodded to Phoenix, “convinced us of the healing power of horses, and between his and Spirit’s weird-ass love affair,” he winked, “I’m on board.
We all are. We think it will be a great service to offer our clients at Steele Shadows as well. ”
I turned and fell into Phoenix, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
I released and ran over to June. Tears streamed down my face.
She cupped my cheeks. “Congratulations on owning your own business, my dear.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
I wiped my tears and turned to the group around me, the team of former military veterans who’d helped make my dream come true.
“This center will be focused on treating PTSD, and will be free to all service men and women, and first responders.”
I looked at Phoenix. He dipped his chin—thank you.
I dipped my own—I love you.
“Let me show you around your new digs.” He said.
The crowd dissipated as he led me into the barn.
It was stunning, something right out of architectural digest, with soaring ceilings and rustic chandeliers hanging from log beams. Everything was polished, dark wood.
Black iron gates housed a dozen stalls. Past that, a sitting room with lush chairs and couches positioned around a coffee table over a beautiful paisley rug.
June’s photographs lined the walls. I immediately envisioned well-to-do men smoking cigars and sipping Brandy there…
or perhaps the Steele brothers with a deck of cards and a handle of whiskey.
Beyond that were two offices, a fully-stocked equipment room, and at the end, a small kitchen.
There was an indoor riding ring and several outdoor paddocks in the back.
It was beyond my wildest dreams.
Little did I know what was yet to come.
We stepped into the indoor ring. Phoenix clicked his tongue, pulling my attention to Spirit, making her way across the dirt floor. I smiled as I met her beautiful black eyes, and I can’t explain why, but goosebumps prickled my skin as she walked toward me.
She wore a sparkling golden bow.
I looked at Phoenix, the sudden intensity in his eyes sending my heart pumping double time.
Spirit stopped at my feet and nudged my shoulder.
My gaze shifted to the white envelope dangling from the bridle, then to Phoenix.
He nodded—open it.
I unclipped the envelope, opened the flap, and pulled out two airplane tickets. Destination: Positano, Italy.
I gasped.
“Let’s start unearthing those roots of yours,” he said.
“Phoenix, you didn’t…” I flipped the tickets over in my hands. “They’re one way tickets.”
He smiled. “How does spending the next few months sound? Thought we could escape for a bit before your business officially kicks off.”
“That sounds like heaven.”
Spirit nudged me again, but this time, angled her head to show a small box secured to the bow.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Open it,” Phoenix said softly.
My hands trembled as I pulled the little blue box from the bow.
Tiffany.
Inside, a four carat ruby enclosed in a circle of diamonds.
A rose.
I gasped. Tears filled my eyes. I turned to Phoenix, now on his knees.
“Marry me,” he said, eyes glistening and voice cracking. “Marry me, Rose. My Rose Flower. Marry me.”
I fell to my knees, grabbed his face.
“Yes. Yes, Phoenix. Yes.”
A tear slid down his cheek as he slipped the ring onto my finger. A perfect fit.
Cheers erupted behind us.
I turned to see his brothers, his closest friends, my dear June, and began sobbing.
My new family.