Epilogue
Two months later
Max's apartment
Toronto, Canada
Max woke with the feeling he was being suffocated. As usual, Violet had climbed on board while he'd been asleep. He smiled into the darkness. No matter which position they started the night in, this was always how they ended up.
He ran his hands down the silken skin of her back to curve around her perfectly formed rear. Bliss. In fact, life was pretty much perfect, although, he'd never use that word around Violet. She'd banned it after Wedding Island.
His articles on Damien and his politician partner had been syndicated in newspapers throughout Canada and the US.
Everyone knew exactly who Damien Poole was now.
Sure, he would have liked for him to spend the rest of his life shamed, dethroned, and locked up tight, but destroying his legacy was a good second best. Watching the investigation into his partner was quite satisfying too.
Although, in typical politician fashion, he was spinning a tale of his innocence at every turn.
Unfortunately for him, evidence was mounting. The man was going down.
Max smiled with satisfaction.
Violet moaned in complaint. "You're thinking about them again," she said, her voice filled with sleep. "You've got a death grip on my arse and you're smiling."
"Sorry." He relaxed his grip and soothed her skin with careful strokes.
She snuggled closer and nuzzled his throat.
"You got in late last night," he said, breathing her deep.
One of the biggest changes Violet had made to his apartment was that it was now filled with her scent. It was everywhere. And it was wonderful. Apart from that, she hadn't done much to make herself at home. Violet didn't have a lot of belongings. She left her mark in other ways.
He glanced at the ring on his left hand. He'd had it resized, so it'd never fall off again. That sucker was staying with him, even in death.
"Stupid corporate espionage job," she said lazily, threading her fingers through his hair. No matter how much it irritated him, he resisted the urge to cut it because Violet loved the length.
"I can't believe you guys are taking jobs when you don't even have an office yet."
"Your fault," she complained. "All the publicity has people falling over themselves to hire us."
"They want the best."
She snorted. "They're dazzled by the fame of the Benson Security name. It's pathetic."
He traced the curve of her shoulder. "You know," he said. "You still haven't told me you love me."
"What makes you think I do?" she challenged.
"Well, your mum for a start. She told me what the flowers meant, the ones you chose for our wedding."
She stilled against him. "They meant nothing," she lied.
"Orange roses for fascination, Gladiolas for protection from death, pink Camellias for longing, and Baby's Breath for everlasting love.
I could go on, but I forget the rest. I have it written down somewhere.
Even back then, right at the beginning, you were crazy about me.
When are you going to admit it? When are you going to tell me you love me? "
She stirred, leaning up to look at him. "I'm holding the words hostage," she said.
Max smiled. This he had to hear. "Is that right?"
"Yeah." She frowned. "You make it through a year without running off into danger like a freaking lemming and I'll say the words."
He rolled his eyes. "You make one mistake…"
"Mistake?" Fast as lightning, she grabbed his hands and pinned them over his head. "You trapped me in a toilet and then blithely walked into the enemy's fortified estate. Talk about dumb."
He moved his hips, making sure she was aware of his hard length against her stomach. "I keep telling you, I thought he was gone."
She leaned down and bit his chest. It stung. "Ow!"
"That's for leaving without your bodyguard." It wasn't the first time he'd received the same small punishment.
"You have to forgive me at some point," he told her.
She shook her head, sweeping her silken hair over his skin and making him shiver. "No, I don't."
"Come on, Vi," he teased, lowering his voice to the sensual drawl she found irresistible. She had her combat skills, and he had his. "I didn't realize how dangerous and capable you were when I left you that night."
"I told you I was good at my job," she said, like that should have been enough.
He wisely didn't point out that she didn't look like someone who could take apart an army single-handedly.
There was capable, and then there was Violet.
She was in a category all of her own. Sometimes, he thought the world was lucky she had control of her temper, because if she didn't, if she became enraged… they would all burn.
As it was, she kept her fire solely for him.
"I learned my lesson." He lifted his hips, and she sucked in a breath. "I will never doubt your skills again. Cross my heart."
"I wish I could believe you." She lowered her face to his throat and nipped the skin before soothing the assault with her tongue.
He groaned with need. She was making him crazy. Again.
"What can I do to convince you?" he said.
She sat back up, thinking about it. "Remember the deal we had at the resort?"
He stilled. "Where you were in charge of protection and I was in charge of the physical aspect of our relationship?"
"That's the one. Well, I think I should be in charge of all of it—the protection and the physical stuff—until I'm sure you can be trusted with any of it."
His breathing sped up. "Really? You’re sure you're ready to take over the physical stuff?"
She nodded somberly. "Definitely." She wriggled her hips, making him moan. "And it would help appease me if you were to follow all of my instructions to the letter. It's the only way I can be sure you won't do something stupid."
She rubbed her breasts against his chest.
It became harder to talk. To think. "What kind of instructions are we talking about?"
She leaned in and whispered in his ear before nipping the lobe.
Damn.
So hot.
His girl on fire.
His Violet.
He swallowed hard as she licked her way down his throat.
"I think," he gritted out, "I can accept your terms."
She angled her face, resting her chin on his chest, and looked up at him. "Then say the words. Tell me you agree."
He gave her what she wanted. "I love you," he told her.
With a knowing smile, Violet resumed her kisses, heading south.