Page 1 of Before We Say I Do

Chapter One

Chicago Illinois

Two days before the wedding

The echo of sharp heels panged against the Italian tile floors as Regina Smalls, daughter of investor Robert Smalls III, exited the elevators at Valentine Security Firm.

“Excuse me, ma’am!”

Ignoring the receptionist, Regina strutted down the aisle, her stilettoes announcing her arrival with every step she took, hips swaying, on a mission.

“Ma’am!”

The receptionist ran around the desk in a dash, flustered to get to Regina before she could make it to her boss’s door.

It was her first week on the job, and the last thing she wanted was to get in trouble for letting someone back without contacting him first.

“Ma’am, please!”

Regina reached for the knob and opened the door, charmed that it was unlocked.

“There you are,” she purred, her feline eyes fluttering as they swept up the back of powerful thighs, concealed with Alexander McQueen pants over a taut ass. A white button-down shirt was neatly tucked, stretching up his muscular back over broad testosterone-filled shoulders.

He turned slowly, an eyebrow raised in question as he locked gazes with Regina, then spoke to the caller on his speakerphone conference call.

“That would be ideal. I’ll have Marissa set up the meeting so we can make it official.”

His baritone reverberated around the room, practically knocking Regina off her feet as his tone skittered down her skin.

“I’m looking forward to it,” the male caller responded. “Have a good day, sir.”

“You do the same.”

Kyle hit the button that ended the call, and his sharp eyes flipped back over at Regina and a winded Marissa, who rushed to speak up.

“Sir, I’m so sorry, she barged right in here without stopping; I had no idea she was going to come back here.”

“She’s right,” Regina said calmly. “Don’t fire her. I needed to talk to you, and I’m not accustomed to asking for anyone’s permission.”

Kyle’s gaze tightened as he glowered, but the silent reprimand only turned Regina on, her body growing hotter by the second he watched her.

“Sir, I can call security right now.”

“It’s okay, Marissa.” His gaze found his receptionist. “Set up the meeting with Mr. Culver, and if there is ever a next time you see Ms. Smalls making a beeline for my office, call security first.”

Marissa nodded frantically as Regina smirked.

“Yes, sir!”

Marissa left the room faster than her next breath escaped her, closing the door to give them some privacy.

“Mr. Valentine, you are as sharp and sexy as I thought you would be during the working day. And that sandalwood cologne I can smell from here. You know…” Regina strolled the length of Kyle’s corner office, strutting around his desk to stand before his massive frame. “That scent of yours has always been my undoing.” Her nipples hardened as her eyes rode the pillar of his throat, over his Adam’s apple to his luscious lips.

“Ms. Smalls. It’s the middle of the day. Don’t you have some business to attend to?”

“I do. Which is why I’m here.”

Robert Smalls III had been an investor in Valentine Security Firm. Earlier that year, when the security company first got off the ground, Regina and her father made it clear that they were interested in more than financial business endeavors. During a gala Kyle attended, Regina had all but come on to him standing right in front of her father, with his undeniable approval.

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