Page 19 of Baiting His Bride

“That’s when.”

“Oh.”

She studies me, considering my answer. Her gaze narrows, as if she’s contemplating her response. Which isn’t a good sign. Surely, she’s about to announce to my face, and everyone within hearing distance, and really, the entire city of Chicago, that I’m crazy. That I shouldn’t have left my position with the only company I’ve ever known because she doesn’t feel the same. Doesn’t want to see what the two of us could be without our roles standing in the way.

I cringe, my grip tightening on hers as I wait for the public rejection I deserve for pressing her into a corner in front of an audience of spectators, most of whom she knows. For not giving her an easy, off-the-record way to turn me down flat.

But just as I open my mouth to ask, once more, if she’d like to go somewhere private, Mallory erases this distance between us and presses her lips to mine. I stagger back, caught off guard by the ambush, but catch myself.

Before my brain can work through what’s happening and what it means, my body reacts automatically. I release Mallory’s hands and wrap my arms around her. My fingers weaving through her hair as I deepen the kiss, because I’ve been craving her touch for months. And because she just declared herself mine.

After a long minute, the clicking of cameras and commotion surrounding us works its way through my consciousness. With one last peck, I draw back, still holding her close.

“That’s going to make the news, you know,” I murmur, as her eyelids flutter open.

“I sure hope so.”

A wave of confusion washes over me until the hint of a smile curls the corner of her lips. She’s up to something, and even if I don’t, she knows exactly what she’s doing. Because of course, this brilliant, beautiful woman does.

“Are you using me for publicity, Ms. Stone?”

“Quite the opposite,” she replies, dropping her voice as she wraps her arms around my neck to whisper in my ear, “I’m helping you.”

“I’m not arguing, but tell me how, exactly?”

“You’re now leading a non-profit that, I assume, could use some donations to support its good work, no?”

“Yes.”

“Consider this the start of some very good press you’ll be able to harness to benefit those you serve.”

I draw back again, my head shaking. From the minute I met Mallory, I was impressed, but this? This is next level.

“Any chance I could hire you away from AV Industries? I could use someone like you on my team.”

She scoffs but bites back a smile. “Not a chance in hell. You already know how I feel about conflicts of interest.”

“Is that what I’d be if you worked for me?”

“Yes, because boyfriend and boss aren’t a magnificent combination.”

I shake my head and dip my chin as a wide smile spreads across my face. I was dazzled from the instant I met Mallory and still can’t believe my luck that everything worked out. That this witty, observant, whip smart, competitive bombshell is no longer single. She’s mine.

Mallory | One Year Later

“Today’s edition, just like you asked for,” my assistant announces, breezing into my office with the extra copy of today’s newspaper I’ve been waiting for.

“Thank you,” I exclaim, jumping up and circling my desk.

“Care to tell me why you’re so interested in the hard copy today when usually a quick scan of the digital version suffices?”

I flip through the sections and pull out the Lifestyle one. There it is, on the front page, just as Henry promised.

“This,” I reply, all smiles as I scan the page. She swings around and reads the announcement over my shoulder.

Stone-Bennett Engagement

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Stone are delighted to announce the engagement of their daughter, Mallory Stone, to Carson Bennett, III, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Carson Bennett, Jr., and grandson of Carson Bennett, Sr., of Chicago.

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