Joy positively erupts from Nick, the biggest smile I’ve ever seen stretching his full lips as he sweeps me up in his powerful arms, pulling my body flush to his. I lean into the embrace, soaking up every bit of his warmth and basking in the welcoming, familiar scent of citrus and ginger. We stay like that for a long moment and then he’s cupping my chin, lifting it gently so I’m forced to meet his tender gaze. “I love you, Scarlett Evans.”
My heart swells, overflowing with more joy than I’ve ever known. “I love you, too, Nicholas Hart.”
I stretch up on my toes and brush my lips against his. It’s a featherlight kiss. Chaste. HR friendly.
And apparently completely inadequate.
Nick slips an arm around my waist and leans me backward, supporting my weight and deepening the kiss. His tongue skates along the seam of my mouth and I open instinctively, relishing the way he commands my body, every touch setting my skin ablaze.
A raucous applause goes up from the crowd, filled with more than a few loud whistles, and Oreo barks right along with them, making her approval known.
We probably look like one of those couples from the old black and white movies, but I’m in too deep to care. I’ve got the love of this incredible man and soon enough I’ll have my master’s degree and the job of my dreams. It won’t be easy. It’s going to take time and compromise for me and Nick to find our way, but we will find it—together.
Epilogue
Nick
One year later…
I’m seated at my desk, obsessively refreshing my email every minute on the minute. What can I say? Some habits die hard. Oreo is curled up in her bed, basking in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, completely oblivious to my disquiet. Any minute now, the Austin Chamber of Commerce is going to release their annual Best Places to Work list.
If Scarlett doesn’t hurry her sexy ass up, she’s going to miss it.
Where the hell is she, anyway?
I really should’ve given her an office closer to the executive suite, but she’d insisted that as Triada’s one and only Organizational Effectiveness Manager—a job title Miles settled on after considerable research—she belonged in Human Resources with her peers. We debated it at length during her contract negotiations, and to my immense frustration, no amount of persuasion on my part could change her mind. She’d been adamant about her employment terms.
No special treatment, no extra perks, and no sex in the office.
The little killjoy.
It had been one of my first and biggest compromises. Not that I mind. Having that big, sexy brain of hers on the Triada payroll has been invaluable. Not only has she helped us better define the culture we want to foster, she’s helped put processes and programs in place to achieve it.
If it weren’t for her efforts, Triada wouldn’t have a prayer of making the Best Places to Work list.
More importantly, my life would be a hell of a lot emptier without her in it.
Though she refuses to give up her apartment, Scarlett spends most nights at my place. We’ve built a comfortable life together, and I’m thankful for the balance she brings to my world. Hell, for the first time I actually know what’s hot on Netflix and can join in the watercooler talk, something I’d have thought impossible just a year ago.
I glance at the framed photo on my desk. The one that started it all. Scarlett and I in that damn photo booth. Warmth floods my chest at the memory, proof I really will do anything for the woman I love—including give up control.
The clock updates, showing 4:58.
I hit refresh on my email, nervous energy roiling in my stomach.
A new message pops up, but it’s not from the Austin COC. It’s from Scarlett. I click the email and when it opens, I’m staring at meeting notes.
What the hell?
Scarlett hasn’t been responsible for taking meeting notes since she graduated last spring and moved into her new position.
I read the first sentence, a smile curving my lips.
CEO/CFO Nick (aka Soft-Hart)
Requires a monthly replenishment order from Chewy…because Her Royal Highness, Princess Oreo, shall never be without a full selection of high-quality toys.
Cell phones prohibited on date night…says the man who’s embraced work-life balance wholeheartedly and sets the standard for the entire company.
