Page 23 of Auctioned to the Billionaire

“Is there more to this talk? Or was the proposal the big thing?”

He chuckles. “There’s more.”

I tilt my head back to look at him, raising a brow. “What else could you possibly have up your sleeve tonight?”

“Well…” He hesitates, suddenly looking sheepish.

“What is it?” I press, my curiosity piqued.

“I want you to move in with me,” he says, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I know we just got engaged, and it’s probably too soon to be asking for something like this, but I can’t stand the thought of you being anywhere else. I want you here, with me. Always.”

My lips part, but no sound comes out. My head is spinning, and I feel like I’m in some kind of romantic fever dream.

“Hugh…”

“Before you say anything,” he says, his hands tightening on my waist, “I need you to know that this isn’t just about convenience. It’s not about proximity. It’s aboutyou.You’re it for me, Letty. And I want to build a life with you—starting right now.”

His words hit me like a freight train, and suddenly, all the doubts I’ve been carrying—the fear that this is all happening too fast, that we’re rushing into something reckless—melt away.

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Okay?” he repeats, his brows lifting in surprise.

“Okay,” I say again, louder this time, a smile spreading across my face. “I’ll move in with you.”

The relief that washes over his features makes my chest ache.

“You mean it?”

“Yes,” I say, laughing as he pulls me into another bone-crushing hug. “But I’m warning you now—I have a lot of stuff. You might regret this once you see how many boxes it takes to move me.”

“I could never regret you,” he says, his voice low and full of promise.

My heart swells as I look up at him, and for the first time in years, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

“Letty Walters,” he murmurs, testing the name out, and my cheeks heat.

“Not yet,” I tease, though the thought makes my stomach flip in the best way.

“Soon,” he says firmly.

“Very soon,” I agree, and when he kisses me again, it feels like the beginning of forever.

TEN

Hugh

Five Years Later…

“Are we wrapping presents now?”Letty asks as she pokes her head into my office, her pale green eyes filled with excitement.

“Yeah, I’m ready. Let me just finish up this last email.”

“Hmm, if only you had an assistant to help with that,” she teases me, and I grin.

“I know, right? My current assistant has been busy these days with our little munchkins.”

“Well, she can always make some extra time to help out if you need it,” she offers as she tucks some of her blonde hair behind her ear, and I shake my head.

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