Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
She glanced in their direction, and Derek immediately caught her gaze and smiled, the pride in his expression unmistakable. As much as she wanted him by her side, he’d insisted that tonight was her night. He was letting her have this once-in-a-lifetime moment to revel in the accolades and enjoy the spotlight.
A few hours passed, and when the party started to wind down, Jessica made her way to Derek, who was still with Asher and his sister, Nikki. His eyes heated as he took in her subtly sexy cocktail dress, his gaze skimming down the length of her body all the way to her four-inch heels, then slowly back up again. He lingered on her cleavage, and when his eyes met hers, she had to suppress a shiver at the hunger and desire there.
His support over the past few weeks leading up to this night had been incredible. He’d been her rock and made her feel calm and centered, even though her life was currently chaotic. Her love for him had only grown with each day that passed.
She came up to his side, and he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close, his lips near her ear. “Have I told you lately how fucking amazing you are?”
She smiled and bit her lip. The man was always so full of compliments, something she’d never had in her life, and she loved receiving them from him. “I think it’s been at least twenty-four hours.”
“Well, you are amazing,” he reiterated in a low, husky voice meant for only her to hear. “And beautiful. And so damn sexy I’m dying to get you alone and have you all to myself.”
She could feel her cheeks warm.
Standing nearby, Ben frowned at them. “Would you two stop already? We’re in a public place, for crying out loud.”
“I’m well aware,” Derek said with a smirk. “Just letting your sister know how much I adore her.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Who the fuck are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
Derek laughed, and before the two of them could continue their ribbing, Nikki interrupted them.
“Derek . . . I just got a message from Winter Capwell.” Nikki stared down at the cellphone in her hand with a frown, referencing the woman who’d recently become a good friend to his sister. “She wants to meet with us to discuss something.”
“Me, too?” Derek’s dark brows furrowed in confusion. “She’s your friend. Why does she want to talk with me?” he asked his sister.
Nikki lifted her gaze to his, looking equally puzzled. “I don’t know, but she says it’s important, and it pertains to the both of us.”
“Weird, but okay,” he said with a shrug. “Just not this weekend, because I’m going to be busy with Jessica.” He squeezed her hand, making sure she knew she was his priority.
Nikki nodded, then typed a response on her phone. Jessica had no idea what was up with that, either, but figured she’d find out soon enough, right after Derek did.
The after-party ended, Jessica thanked everyone for coming as they left for the evening, then she and Derek headed back to his place in the city. It had only been a few weeks since they’d made their relationship official, but they were already splitting time between his apartment and her house, depending on where they needed or wanted to be. They were essentially living together, and she couldn’t be happier about the arrangement.
Once they arrived at his penthouse, Derek disappeared into the main bedroom, and she set her things down on the couch, then walked to the windows overlooking the city. She exhaled a deep breath, a smile on her face as she reflected on just how well the evening had gone.
A short while later, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her body flush to his. “So, which would you rather . . . have your honeymoon in Florence, Italy, or the Maldives?” he asked, his mouth brushing against her ear as he mentioned two of the places she’d told him she’d like to visit one day.
She turned in his arms, excited about the prospect of traveling with him, but not sure why he was asking about a honeymoon destination. “What are you talking about?”
“Our honeymoon,” he explained, and she realized she’d missed that part of the question. “After we get married.”
The past few weeks had been a whirlwind with Derek, and while they’d solidified their relationship and made a commitment, they hadn’t discussed marriage.
Now, as she stared into his serious eyes, she felt a little breathless. “Derek . . .”
He grinned down at her. “I suppose mentioning a honeymoon was a little presumptuous of me. I guess I shouldn’t skip the formality of asking you to marry me.”
A smile twitched at her lips. “No, you shouldn’t,” she agreed. She wanted the romantic proposal, not just the assumption that they would get engaged.