Page 37 of The Bride's Billionaire

Tyler squeezed her hand. “If I have anything to say about it, yes. Details have yet to be discussed.”

Her heart thrilled inside. Could they salvage a romantic relationship out of all this? She waved as they stepped into the elevator and called out, “You’ll be the first to know.”

As the door shut, and they were alone, Tyler pulled her into his arms and looked down into her face. “The first? Cause I think your business partner might need to know before Mr. de Santos.” His eyes widened, and he searched her face. “What about it, Kayla Finley, can we make something of us? Continue where we started at the wedding-dress shop?”

She searched his kind eyes, the goodness in them she first admired sparkling stronger than usual. His earnest hope, the patience she saw there filled her with the same hopeful expectation. But all she said was, “I’m game.”

Then he held her close, cradling her in his arms, and lowered his lips to hers. At last, the feel of his mouth on hers again warmed, comforted, and set her heart alight. She responded in earnest, but they had only seconds until the door dinged and the elevator opened.

“Come on, you.” Tyler led them out into the lobby quickly and then out on the street, where he swung her back into his arms. “I wasn’t finished yet.” He kissed her again and again, until she wanted to do nothing ever again except press her mouth to his.

Epilogue

Two Years Later

Kayla and Tyler stood hand in hand on a pitch-black night, facing the ocean in Rio. They had come to check out their two newest bottling plants which were doing phenomenally well. Antar and Finley-Sperring had skyrocketed their earnings and were on a trajectory to continue to do so.

But Kayla shivered.

Tyler pulled her close. “It’s not cold.”

“I know.” They dipped their toes into the water. “Who knows what will be in that water with us.”

“Butwe’llboth be in there. Could be fun.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, let’s do this. Jump in. Swim some strokes, leave. Got it?”

“You might enjoy it.” He stepped nearer.

“Ugh, come on.” She tugged at him, and they entered together. Luckily, the water was nice, almost warm. Kayla looked down, trying to see her feet through the ink-black water.

“Don’t do that. Look at me.” He lifted her chin. “Tell me again about your brother.”

So she related how at last they’d found a medication that worked, after his wife had been in the hospital for six months the doctors trying everything. Melissa had been released this week, and she and Kayla’s brother had the marriage they once did.

They stepped deeper and were up to their waist. Tyler pulled her into his arms. “You’re sexy in the water at night.”

“Oh yeah?”

He nodded. “I’m an expert on your sexiness.”

“Will it always be this wonderful?”

“Of course. Four months of marriage is only just the beginning of our awesomeness. I love you Kayla Sperring.”

“I love you too.”

He lowered his lips to hers, and for a moment, she was lost to his love, his tender pressing and pulling, the warmth that filled her every time they were together. His grip tightened, lifting her up out of the water, and then dunking them both under, cold water rushing all around them. She screamed against his mouth, but he kept his mouth pressed to hers, and so she responded, sealing against the salt water. He brought her up quickly, laughing.

She swatted at him. “Oh, you are bad.”

“Well, we did it! Swim a couple strokes, and you’ve conquered your fear.”

So she did. And she knew with Tyler at her side, she could do anything.

He lifted her out of the water and carried her to the still warm sand. “I don’t think there’s anything we can’t do.”

“That’s just what I was thinking. You sang so well at our wedding. Sing me our song. Again.”

He chuckled. “Very funny.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know much…”

She laughed and finished, “But I know I love you.”

The end.

* * *

---