Page 17 of The Billionaire's Gamble

He nods, his gaze unwavering. “I am. If that’s what it takes to be with you, then I’ll do it. You mean that much to me, Hannah.”

Tears pool in my eyes, threatening to spill over, but I blink them away. How on earth did I get so lucky? It's like the universe is trying to make up for the dreary life that I've led in the past twenty-two years, and I can't afford to take that chance for granted.

“I won't be going back home after graduation,” I declare suddenly. The decision is impulsive, but it feels right.

“You’re not?” Dean asks, surprise flickering in his eyes.

I shake my head. “No. I'm going to open a dance studio and maybe start a group of my own. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I think I'll really go for it,” I say, giggling excitedly. “I love it here, so I'll open a studio right here in Vegas. Plus, I can fly up to Seattle whenever I need, or video call my parents whenever they need my help.”

Just the thought of my own studio sets my heart racing. I have substantial savings from competition prizes and my monthly allowance; enough to get things off the ground.

“I think that’s amazing, Hannah,” Dean says, a wide grin spreading across his face. “I’ll support your dream, whatever it is. I can even be the first client in your studio.” He winks, making me laugh.

“You? Dancing?” I say, laughing at the image.

I stop laughing when I see Dean looking at me with an indecipherable expression. There's something about his eyes at that moment, a different kind of intensity, one that makes me want to drown in their blue depths forever. “W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just because,” he says, his expression softening. “You have a beautiful laugh, Honey. It's a sound I hope to hear forever.”

“Forever?” I tease, trying to lighten the moment but my voice trembles slightly. “Is that a proposal, Mr. Sterling?”

He smiles, his eyes twinkling. "Say yes, and I'll buy you the most expensive diamond ring to seal the deal." His tone is light but the intensity in his eyes remained unchanged.

It's hard to tell if it's all jokes or if he's serious but I play along, returning his smile. “Yes, Dean. I'll fly with you forever.”

Because at the end of the day, I'd marry him in an instant.

He raises my hand to his lips, placing a tender kiss on the back of my hand without taking his eyes off me. “I love you, my beautiful Hannah.”

My heart stops and starts to beat again but this time, for him. “I love you too, Dean.”

Epilogue

Seven years later

Dean

I glance at my wife who's sleeping peacefully beside me on the passenger seat, her long golden curls spilling adorably over her face.

More than a decade since our first meeting and she's still the most beautiful woman in the world.

She looks content in her sleep and as much as I'd rather be chatting with her, I let her be.Especially because I was the one who kept her up all night.

It's our seventh anniversary, I'd suggested we come back to the very cabin where we spent our first getaway together. She's been sleeping for most of the ride, so I have a lot of time to reflect on our lives together in the past seven years.

After Hannah went back to school, she called her parents to tell him about her plans to open the dance studio. They were surprisingly supportive and told her that they would hire someone to help them out at the grocery store. Elated, Hannah was able to finish out her final semester strong and graduated Summa Cum Laude from NY that spring. She immediately put that business degree to use and her dance studio just off the striphas been massively successful for the last six years. I couldn’t be any prouder.

I proposed to her properly on our one year dating anniversary, surprising her by flying in her parents, along with Gabby and Nora. Hannah broke down in tears as soon as she saw all of them, and cried even harder when she saw I wasn’t kidding about buying her the biggest, most expensive ring around.

And like she'd always dreamed, her dad walked her down the aisle. To me. She made the most beautiful bride, and I couldn't stop the tears that slid down my eyes as she said her vow to me. That's one day I'll hold dear for the rest of my life. Hannah said it was the happiest day of her life.

‘Well, there's been a thousand other ‘happiest’ days since then,’I think to myself with a silent chuckle. On the night of our honeymoon too, she'd said it was her happiest day and the day we found out we were pregnant with our first son, Darren, and when we held him in our hands for the first time. She also said it was her happiest day when Gabby got married after losing her first fiancée in a tragic accident and of course, the day we found out we'd be having our baby girl, Ariel… the list is endless.

Of course, we had obstacles along the way, moments that weren't so great, but we overcame them. Together. She makes my life complete and I'm the most fulfilled man on earth just by being her husband.

Lately, though, things have been a little tight. Hannah's dance group is set to compete in an international dance competition, on the biggest stage in Vegas, and so she's been working hard trying to come up with the perfect routine; that, and the fact that she's got her hands full with our kids. At five and two, they're at their most energetic and chaotic stage. Even though Hannah says she's fine and readily has a convincingly bright smile toback that up, I can tell she's tired most of the time. This is why I went to extra lengths to ensure we wouldn't be disturbed on our little vacation trip. The kids are with their grandparents and The Lily is in the capable hands of my administrative manager. Hannah also agreed spending time in the cabin might give her some inspiration, so she took a few days off work.

So now I just have to focus on getting my wife to let herself relax. She's so focused on taking care of everyone else around her that she forgets to take care of herself, and I'm determined to make sure she lets go a little.

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