Scandalizing the CEO (14 page)

“How do you know it’s me?”

“I don’t,” Maurice said. “But you’ve been happier these last few weeks as we’ve secured the Devonshire women. I’d hate to see that end. Unless you were using him to get him to cooperate and then I might have to fire you.”

“Maurice, I would never do that. I love him, but I’m not sure he loves me. I’m afraid—”

“That’s all I needed to hear. I’m giving you to close of business today to resolve this issue.”

“It’s not an issue,” she said to her boss. “It’s my personal life and it’s not as easy to sort out as a magazine.”

“It’s easier. You just have to trust your heart.”

Maurice hung up and she wanted to scream. She was so afraid of letting Steven in, but she knew she had to do it; otherwise she would spend the rest of her life wondering what might have been.

Her phone rang.

“Ainsley Patterson.”

“It’s Freddie. Clear your calendar for this afternoon.”

“Why?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Freddie—”

“Don’t bother asking because I’m not saying a word,” he said.

“Fine. But I need to pick your brain about something.”

“Okay, I’ll be listening.”

Steven had planned for every detail; now he just needed her to show up. His hands were sweating as he waited for her. Then suddenly she appeared. She walked into the store the way she had that first time. She wore a figure-flattering Betsey Johnson dress and walked toward him.

She stopped as she saw him. And Steven knew it was time for him to do his part. He walked forward and drew her into his arms, kissing her deeply. She tentatively held his shoulders. He held her close to him because it had been too long since he’d held her. And he needed her.

He pulled away and looked down into those wide violet eyes and he felt his heart clench.

“I’m so sorry, Ainsley. I was afraid and I never wanted to feel the same vulnerability that I saw in your eyes. I love you so much and I hope that you still love me.”

He went down on one knee in front of her. “Please
say that you haven’t given up on me and that you still love me.”

Tears made her beautiful eyes watery and she stood there looking down at him.

“Seriously? After all the tears I’ve cried, I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry over you again. But here I am.”

“Love,” he said, standing up. “I mean it. I’m not just spouting words. I love everything about you. Your curvy body, the way you smile at me in the morning. And I’m planning to spend the rest of our lives convincing you of that. I’d rather it be with you by my side but I’ll keep trying to convince you no matter how long it takes,” he said.

She took his hand, drew him to stand beside her, threw herself in his arms, wrapped her arms and legs around him and kissed him for all she was worth.

“I love you, Steven. I can’t live without you. I’m so glad you came to your senses.”

“Took me long enough,” he said.

“It felt like a damn lifetime,” she said.

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

“Yes, Steven, I will.”

He slipped the ring on her finger and knew he’d finally found the home he’d always been searching for in this sexy woman’s arms.

A
insley and Steven spent the next few months living together and reassuring each other that they were meant to be together. When the articles ran in her magazine, she felt a sense of pride at the way the women came off. Malcolm Devonshire came off looking like a man who’d given up three successful women. And Ainsley felt sorry for Malcolm that he hadn’t realized what he was missing. The
Fashion Quarterly
articles on the Devonshire heirs and their mothers rocked the publishing world. Hearing the stories of the three women who’d given Malcolm Devonshire the publicity he’d needed to take the Everest Group to the next level had been publishing gold.

A few of the gossip Web sites had made a big deal of her relationship with Steven, but that had blown over and
her boss, Maurice, didn’t think it was anything to worry about.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married today,” Freddie said.

“Me, either,” she said.

Freddie came over and adjusted her veil. “I’m glad you finally found love.”

She smiled at him. “I think it found me. What do you think?”

“Gorgeous, darling. I think that Maurice is going to regret not covering this event.”

“I think he’s done enough butting into my personal life,” she said, remembering how her boss had pushed her to go after a life outside of work.

“Almost ready?”

“Yes. Is my dad?”

“He’s outside and your mum is nervous. She said she never thought she’d see this day,” Freddie said with a laugh.

She glanced out the window of the waiting room to where the wedding was taking place. The lovely rooftop garden overlooked Berne. It was decked out in flowers and twinkle lights.

“She’s said the same thing to me several times,” Ainsley said. “Is Steven here?”

“Of course he is,” Freddie said. “I’m going out to reassure him now.”

Freddie left and Ainsley sat back down on the padded bench. She’d never dreamed of a fairy-tale wedding but Steven wanted one. He wanted everything to be perfect for their special day and since his mother couldn’t leave Berne and her work, they were getting married there.

He’d flown her parents to Switzerland and Freddie and
Cathy were going to be her attendants. His half brothers had attended and were standing up with him.

He’d changed from the man who was nothing but an island to a man who was surrounded by family and friends. They’d made their own family or at least the beginning of one. They were both workaholics and loved their jobs, so they’d decided not to have kids.

Neither of them had planned for children so it wasn’t something they felt they’d missed. And Steven said loving her was something he was still trying to get comfortable with.

She had everything she’d never thought she’d have. When Lynn came out of the lab escorted by her fiancé, Roman, the wedding began. She’d met Lynn a few times and liked the woman. As well as her twin sister, Lucy. Both women loved Steven and though he’d always felt isolated, they’d always been there for him.

Her parents came in and hugged her.

“Your dress is exquisite,” her mum said.

Ainsley had spent hours in Milan having the dress made. It was tight at the waist, low cut at the top, and fell in a straight line to the floor. There was a small train at the back of the dress.

She’d chosen a short, sassy-looking veil to wear over her glossy black hair.

“Thanks,” Ainsley said. Her parents hugged her again and then went to sit down.

The wedding march started and instead of walking down the aisle with her father, she walked down by herself. Steven was waiting for her and kissed her as soon as she got to the altar. The minister went quickly through the vows and soon it was time for their first kiss as husband and wife.

It was long and sweet and everything that she had known it would be.

“I love you, Mrs. Devonshire.”

“I love you, too, Mr. Devonshire.”