Epilogue
Three months Later
I stepped back and smiled. Okay… this? This was beautiful.
The late-afternoon sun glistened across the deep blue Pacific surrounding Eterna as staff moved around me, placing the final details exactly where I’d instructed.
Hundreds of candles flickered among white, cream, and champagne-colored roses arranged with meticulous precision. The entire upper deck looked romantic, elegant, and timeless.
Exactly what Titus had asked for.
I looked down at the rendering in my hand, still unable to believe he’d trusted me with all this.
Three weeks ago, he’d walked into my office and dropped into one of my chairs, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“I need an event,” he said.
I looked up from my laptop and rested my chin on my fist. “You’re in luck, handsome,” I said, giving him a flirty wink and arching my eyebrow at him. “Granting event-related wishes is kind of my thing.”
He arched an eyebrow at me. “Jesus,” he said, taking a breath. “I need to focus on this, and turning me on right now isn’t helping.”
“Oh, that’s definitely happening when we get home tonight,” I said.
“Did you want to return to the Palisades tonight?”
“I always want to escape this jungle and hide there, but I know we both have a heavy workweek. So, it’s best we stay downtown.”
“It’s why I have a helicopter, mi amor,” he advised.
“I could have sex with you right here on this desk, like we did last week after everyone went home.” I smiled. “I’d be just as happy as if you had me pinned against the wall of your bedroom while we watched the sunset over the ocean as we came together.”
I laughed when his expression went blank. Calculating. His eyes swept over the surface of my desk, most likely remembering when I was on all fours last week, gripping it as I came so damn hard I nearly left nail scratches in it.
I licked my lips, needing to refocus myself.
“What the hell did I come in here for?” he asked with a laugh.
“You need an event,” I said, leaning back and clicking the head of my pen as I slowly swiveled in my chair. “And I told you I was your event-planning fairy godmother.”
“Right,” he blinked. “I also need you to design it.”
“I do that as well,” I smiled, wanting so badly to leave this chair, climb onto his lap, and peel that damn suit off of him.
His mouth twitched. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He leaned forward, and my eyes dropped to him. “Exclusive guests.”
“Fantastic.”
“I can’t tell you who they are, though.”
“What? Why?” I laughed.
“Nondisclosure agreements.”
I stared at him. “Titus.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know you are, but you already know I sign those all the time.”
“Not in this case.”
I laughed again. “What are you talking about?”
He simply smiled. “I’m sorry about this, but I can’t tell you who is attending.”
“Why?”
“I signed agreements with them.”
I stared at him. “Are these government officials?”
“No.”
“Royalty?”
He laughed. “No.”
“Then who?”
He held his hands out. “I can’t tell you.”
God, this man. Despite his bold, powerful, and intimidating presence, it was his charming, fun and playful side that I loved most about him.
Of course, I would never tell him that. Once Titus got playful, there was almost no stopping him, and it almost always ended with sex… something we couldn’t have right now with everyone here.
So instead of playing along, I narrowed my eyes at him.
“I don’t like secrets,” I said.
“I know.”
“Then why are you smiling like you’re keeping a secret?”
“Because you’re adorable when you’re irritated. And it’s not technically a secret; it’s protecting privacy until the night of the event.”
I rolled my eyes, and he laughed.
“I want this event designed exactly as you would design something for yourself.”
“For myself?”
“Yes.”
“Which means?” I asked.
“Anything you want.”
I frowned. “Titus, that’s not how clients work. You know this.”
“I’m aware.”
“You need to give me some direction. I won’t even be working with a guest list.”
He nodded. “Very well, I have one rule.”
I folded my arms. “I’m listening.”
“It must have a timeless, romantic feel.”
I stared at him. “Romantic?”
“Timeless and romantic.”
I narrowed my eyes again. “You’re up to something.”
“The stock market is up to something, mi amor,” he teased. “I merely need this event planned and for you to take full control of it.”
“With no guest list and nothing but timeless romance as a guide to what you’re looking for in this, I will say that you’re putting an awful lot of faith in me.”
He leaned back. “I trust you.”
“And you’re comfortable with me making every decision?”
“I am.”
“What if you hate it?”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that.” I laughed.
He looked directly at me. “I do.” He smiled again. “So?”
I sighed.
“So?” he asked again. “Will you do it?”
I looked at him for another long moment, then smiled, “Fine.”
His grin appeared instantly.
“But if your mystery guests hate everything, that’s entirely your fault.”
He laughed. “Deal.”
And now, as I stood here staring at the final, flawless outcome, I knew for sure that I was a total badass. I’d pulled off an exclusive, world-class event without ever knowing what the hell it was actually for.
I glanced at my watch, knowing I needed to change into my gown to join this event as Titus’s girlfriend, as I’d promised him.
“Aria?” I said.
“Right here,” she answered in my earpiece.
“You have it from here. I’m changing and joining Titus for the rest of the night.”
“Got it. I did just fine at the last event, so you can rest easy knowing nothing will fall apart.”
“Yes, you did,” I said, smiling, and turned to walk toward the guest suites in this location of the yacht.
I stepped into one of Eterna’s guest suites on this level, where I’d put my things for easy access, and quietly shut the door behind me, the room immediately muffling the sounds of staff bustling around outside.
Exhaling, I welcomed the brief moment alone. I slipped off my heels and glanced around the room. Rich walnut cabinetry, cream-colored furnishings, and soft light cast from sconces mounted along the walls… just another luxury room on this floating palace.
My attention shifted to the garment bag hanging from the wardrobe.
Titus had made a habit of surprising me with a gown for every event we attended together, so finding clothing waiting for me wasn’t surprising anymore because, apparently, my life now consisted of beautiful dresses and impossible experiences.
I unzipped the bag, and a laugh escaped me. The man knew me entirely too well. The gown was champagne-colored silk that looked as smooth as butter. It was absolutely elegant without trying too hard.
I gently ran my fingers across the tiny opals lining the simple, feminine neckline. The rest of the gown flowed to the ground, embellished with embroidery that must’ve taken months to complete.
It matched the night I’d created for his yacht event perfectly. It was classic, romantic, and positively timeless. Exactly what I would’ve chosen for myself.
I carefully slipped into it and turned toward the mirror. I ran my hands down my sides, seeing the fabric settle perfectly against my skin.
How swiftly things had changed between Titus and me. Three months ago, I was terrified he might go to prison, and now, I was getting dressed aboard Eterna for another event.
Life was just weird like that. It was beautiful, too, but mostly weird.
A knock sounded.
“Come in,” I said, turning.
The door opened a crack, and one of the crew smiled politely. “Ms. Veléz? Mr. Hawk asked me to let you know the guests have begun arriving.”
I smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
After the door closed, I slipped my phone into my clutch, straightened my shoulders, and headed upstairs.
The moment I stepped onto the upper deck, I stopped and took in the hundreds of candles arranged perfectly throughout the area.
The glass hurricanes I’d personally selected glowed softly across the deck. White, cream, and champagne roses seemed to spill from arrangements everywhere.
Everything was perfect.
The sunset had painted the sky in shades of gold, peach, and soft lavender. It looked exactly as I’d envisioned.
I smiled. God, I loved my job, and I loved the fact that my job led me to this man.
Movement ahead of me caught my attention.
The guests. Finally, I was about to meet the people Titus had made sign NDAs, making them unknown to me until this moment.
The first guests actually made me laugh as they stepped into the area… Jake and Ashley Mitchell.
“Since when do we not get to drop in on this shindig by helicopter?” Jake asked with a smile.
“Since I had no idea who the guests were, and Titus said you all demanded to be brought in on the tender.”
“Tender my ass,” he laughed.
“You look beautiful,” Ash said.
I glanced down at her chocolate-colored gown. “My God, you look amazing, too,” I said. “I’m so happy to see you both.”
“Us too,” Ash said, following her husband across the deck.
I looked over and saw the next group of guests coming up the stairs.
This is interesting.
It was Avery and Jim, Natalia and Spencer, Colton and Wyatt, Amelia and her ready-to-pop belly, my friends Brooke and Sienna, Darcy and Sebastian, Bree and Alex…
Jesus, I watched as all our friends boarded and was completely confused. Why the hell couldn’t I know they were coming to this?
I smiled as I watched John and Mickie Aster walk in, with Jace and Andi Stone behind them. Collin and Elena followed. Yes. Every one of our friends was here, and for what?
I turned back toward the wheelhouse of the yacht when the string orchestra changed its music.
I looked up when I recognized the song, Bésame Mucho.
Our song.
Then he stepped into my line of sight and slowly descended the steps from the upper deck. Dear God, my heart forgot how to beat.
It was Titus, wearing a dark navy suit with an open collar. He looked more handsome than I could remember. It was this whole entrance thing he was known for as well, being the last to step into his or any event he attended.