Barbara Dunlop - Beauty And The Billionaire

He smiled down at her. “I’ve also gotten used to waking up with you wrapped in my arms.”

Sinclair sobered. That was the part she thought she’d miss most-Hunter first thing in the morning, unshaven, unguarded, and always ready for romance.

“An office affair still isn’t going to work,” he went on.

She nodded and sighed. “I know.” They’d talked about all the reasons why. And they were right about them.

“It would make us crazy to keep the secret. Plus, we’d eventually get caught.”

Sinclair followed the steps as Hunter led her through the dance. He wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know.

“So, I was thinking,” he said. “We should get married.”

Sinclair stopped dead.

He leaned down. “Sinclair?”

She didn’t answer. Was that her fevered imagination, or did he just…

“Better start dancing,” he advised. “People are beginning to stare.”

She forced her feet to move. “Did you just…”

“Propose?”

She nodded.

“Yes,” he growled low. “I’m proposing that you and I get married, so we can spend every minute together, and nobody in the office will be able to say a damn thing about it.”

Her brain still hadn’t made sense of what he was saying. “Is this one of those reckless, impulsive things of yours?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I’ve been considering this for at least an hour.”

Despite the serious conversation, his tone made her chuckle.

“Okay, probably twenty-four hours,” he said. “Ever since leaving you became a reality.”

Sinclair blinked back tears of emotion.

“Or maybe it’s been ten days, ever since I walked into that boardroom. Or,” he paused. “Maybe since the first second I laid eyes on you.” He wrapped her in a hug that didn’t resemble any of the waltz moves she’d learned.

“It feels like I’ve loved you forever,” he said.

“I love you, too.” Her voice was muffled against his chest.

He drew back. “Is that a yes?”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am one-hundred-percent positive. I blew off the London deal for this.”

“You’re not going to London later?”

“Actually, I’m never leaving you again.” He kissed her mouth, and she caught Roger’s astonished expression as he danced by.

“Uh oh,” she said.

“Well, we can separate occasionally. You know, during the day. But not overnight. I’m not-”

“Roger just saw you kiss me.”

“Who cares?”

“He thinks I’m your floozy now.”

“Don’t worry about Roger. I caught him kissing Chantal behind the pillar when I walked in.”

Sinclair was shocked. “Roger and Chantal?”

Hunter nodded.

It actually made sense. It explained a whole lot of things. But, strangely, Sinclair didn’t care.

She shrugged.

Hunter sobered, looking deeply into her eyes. “You, me, us, your job. You know none of it has anything to do with the other, right?”

Sinclair glanced at Roger a few dance couples away, straining his neck for a view of her and Hunter. “Roger doesn’t.”

In response Hunter kissed her again, longer this time.

Roger’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“Wait till he gets a look at the rock on your finger.”

“You have a rock?”

“Actually, no. I have nothing at the moment.”

“Reckless and impulsive.”

“Not at all. This is good planning.” He took her hand in his, rubbing the knuckle of her ring finger. “We can glam this up as much as you want. But I was thinking something custom-made, to match you bracelet.”

Sinclair held up her wrist. “I do seem to have developed a fondness for the fish.”

Hunter fingered the delicate gold and jewels. “I always assumed I was the diamond one, and you were the ruby.”

“I never thought about it,” said Sinclair.

“Liar.”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Well, whatever we do, it better be fast.”

“Good idea. Since that last kiss totally trashed my reputation with my coworkers.”

Hunter glanced Roger’s way. “He looks at you like that one more time, I’m making him president of the Osland button factory in Siberia.”

“You don’t have a button factory in Siberia.”

“I’ll buy one. It’ll be worth it.”

Sinclair’s phone buzzed in her little purse.

“That’ll be Kristy,” said Hunter, nodding toward the faint sound.

“How do you know that?”

“Because she knows I’m here. I bet it’s killed her to wait this long.”

“You told her…”

“That I loved you? Yeah. I’ll be telling everybody soon.”

Sinclair snapped the clasp on her purse and retrieved the phone, putting it to her ear.

“Is he there?” Kristy stage-whispered.

“Who?” asked Sinclair innocently.

“You know who. What’s going on? Tell me everything?”

“We’re dancing.”

“And?”

“And, I think we’re getting married.”

“You know we’re getting married,” Hunter called into the phone.

Kristy squealed so loud Sinclair had to pull it away from her ear.

“When? Where?” asked Kristy.

“Hunter seems to be in a hurry. Could you maybe give us the name of that place you and Jack used in Las Vegas?”

Hunter scooped the phone. “Negative on Vegas,” he told Kristy. “I’ve reformed my impulsive ways. We’re doing some methodical planning on this one.” He glanced softly down at Sinclair. “I want it to be perfect.”

Then he handed the phone back.

“I’m designing the dress,” said Kristy.

“You bet you are,” Sinclair agreed, watching the heat build in Hunter’s eyes. “I better go now.”

“Okay. But I’m flying out there as soon as possible.”

“Just as long as you don’t come tonight,” said Sinclair, hanging up the phone over Kristy’s laughter.

“Good tip,” said Hunter.

“Excuse me, Sinclair,” Roger interrupted, his mouth in a frown and a determined look in his eyes. “Can I speak with you-”

Hunter jumped in. “You might want to know-”

“This will only take a moment,” said Roger.

“Really?” asked Hunter, brow going up.

Roger nodded.

Hunter anchored Sinclair to his side. “Sinclair has just accepted my marriage proposal.”

Roger blinked in confusion, clearly the words were not computing.

“And I’d like to talk to you about a job opportunity for you,” said Hunter. “My office? Tomorrow? Sometime in the afternoon.”

Roger’s brow furrowed. “I don’t…You’re getting married?”

Hunter nodded slowly.

Roger took a step back. “Oh…” Another step. “Well…” A third. “In that case…” He disappeared into the crowd.

“Funny that he didn’t congratulate us,” said Sinclair.

“He can send a card from Siberia.” Hunter smoothly drew her into his arms and picked up the dance.

“Is Chantal going with him?”

“It would only be fair. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?”

“Who, indeed?” asked Sinclair, snuggling close to his broad chest. “And now you and I get to live happily ever after.” She sighed.

“Just me, you and the twins.”

“You believe the gypsy?”

Hunter nodded. “It has to be true. Jack’s probably out there right now losing the family fortune. I just found out the Castlebay Spa in Hawaii has a golf course. And with your red hair, twins would make it a clean sweep.”

She laughed with joy over everything.

“I love you very much,” Hunter whispered.

“And I love you,” she whispered in return. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

He hugged her tightly. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart.”