She pauses and glares at me, her face is strained with stress. "I need this to be perfect." She grumbles. "I've done nothing like this before."
She tries to rush off and I grab her arm, pulling her back. "You don't know how beautiful you are - do you? Because you have looked like the most beautiful woman on this entire planet in every single one of those dresses that you have tried on this evening. Now, take a deep breath, kiss me, and tell me how I can help you?"
She takes a deep breath, then stands on her tiptoes and melts against me as I press my lips into hers. She kisses me for a long time and when she leans away, she is smiling. "I think that is exactly what I needed. A kiss." She giggles.
"I'll go let Clarissa know we are leaving then."
"Yes, I'll grab my clutch and my coat."
Downstairs I hold the door open for her as she climbs into the back of the limo, and then I slide in behind her.
She is nervous, filled with anticipation, but she looks excited too.
"I can't believe we are launching a casino together."
I take her hand and hold it in my lap. "Black Rose Casino is going to be my favorite project - because I get to do it with you."
Outside of Black Rose, the media crowd the entrance, all desperate for a comment or a picture. As we step out of the limo, cameras flash, blinding us while photographers go wild. We walk up the stairs to the entrance, and they hurl questions at us, not even waiting for answers — we have no comment.
I wrap my arm protectively around Frankie as we walk, and my security pushes those who get too close away. Inside the casino only a select few members of the press were personally invited to document the opening -- ones we pay, and trust. This way we control the narrative.
The casino is packed to the rafters, and the renovations, new decor, and revamp make it unrecognizable from what it was before. Her father's legacy has been erased.
Frankie chose a very seductive red and black palette, with black velvet sofas and luxurious red chandeliers adorning the space.
It looks devilishly beautiful and mysterious at the same time.
To celebrate the full circle our lives have come, we thought it would be an interesting twist to launch the casino with a masked ball.
Frankie slips a black velvet mask over her eyes, and I pull mine down.
She grins at me, and winks. "If I see you at the bar later; I might pretend I don't know you." She whispers, leaning close.
I run my hand down her back and gently squeeze her ass.
"But this time I won't let you get away from me afterward," I whisper against her ear.
The launch party is perfect. Everything goes off without a single hitch, and Frankie proves herself to be an exceptional businesswoman, talking to her new associates with ease and grace. She might hate her father, but she learned from him what it takes to be a boss.
She is the most eye-catching and beautiful woman in the room, and I am proud to have her at my side the entire night.
When I lead her onto the dance floor, both a little tipsy from the champagne, I pull her close against my body and lean down to whisper in her ear.
"Frankie, you and I belong together."
She looks up at me with bright eyes, filled with love. "I know we do."
"Will you spend the rest of your life with me? I can't imagine a day without you. I love you more than anything. I want you to be mine, forever."
She tilts her head, those gorgeous eyes framed by her velvet mask.
I grin. "Little fox, will you marry me?"
She throws her arms around my neck and leaps up against me. I catch her, holding her close as she nuzzles into my neck. "Yes. Yes. Yes. A thousand times. Yes." She says, laughing and kissing my neck.
I let her slide back down to the floor. I am grinning like a fool in love. I have never been happier in my life.
She steps away from me and takes my hand, the cheeky grin on her face is provocative and suggestive.