Page 150 of Craving Their Omega

Tristan and Dominic have gotten better at talking to people over the last few months, and they seem to be doing all right without Xavier there to be charming. They have their own charm about them these days, and it’s funny to me to think that they’re rubbing off on each other.

Once people are seated with their food, the chairman of the board steps up to the podium and speaks. He talks about how he’s seen Vantage grow from three CEOs with disparate dreams and goals into a unified front, and every day it impresses him how focused and attentive Dominic, Tristan, and Xavier can be.

“And now, if our CEOs would be so kind as to grace us with a few words,” he says.

The room erupts into claps, and I cheer along with them as my men exchange glances and sigh. They all get up, heading to the podium.

Xavier speaks first, smiling at the room at large. “First of all, I want to thank you all for being here. I know food was a pretty big draw, but it means a lot to have you all here to celebratethis with us.” People chuckle at his joke, and I smile into my champagne flute. “When we started Vantage, we didn’t know how far we could take it. We were very different people, with very different ideas about how a company should be run. Those first few months were rocky.”

Dominic takes over, and I wonder if this was rehearsed or if they’re just speaking from the heart. “We easily could have crashed and burned because of our egos. Because we were inflexible.” Xavier coughs into his hand and Dominic rolls his eyes. “Because some of us were inflexible,” he amends. “But in learning to work together and put the needs of our clients ahead of our own egos, we found the best way to move forward. As a business and as a pack.”

“We owe a lot to those who have supported us,” Tristan adds in. “Our investors, our clients, our wife.” He smiles at me, and I grin back so hard my cheeks hurt. “Our families, who have been there with us even when we weren’t exactly sure what we were doing.” He references Xavier’s siblings, who are all gathered at a table, and his own parents, sitting with them. “Thank you,” he says, speaking directly to them. “For never giving up.”

I blink back tears at that because it means so much to him that his parents are here. Reaching out to them was scary, but they were so welcoming and so glad to hear from him that all the bad blood Tristan was imagining was just water under the bridge.

“There’s a lot more we could say,” Xavier continues. “But we know there’s only so much talking people can handle. So we’ll move on to the best part of the evening—dessert. Tonight’s offerings were baked and provided by Shortcake on Deacon Street, owned and operated by our wife Penelope. This isn’t a favoritism thing either. Her baking is just that good.”

There’s a rumble of amused laughter at that, and then the servers come out, bringing trays of the dessert I made for the occasion.

It was hard to know what would be best for something so fancy, so I went with a celebration cake. The whole thing ended up being six layers. My employees helped so much, baking dozens of tiny, intricate macarons to adorn the champagne flavored cake.

There are enough slices to go around, and everyone has something nice to say once they’re served. I pass out my business card to several of them, and they promise to contact me about birthday parties and anniversaries.

My men watch with pride, eating their slices happily.

“Why are you staring at me?” I ask them, grinning.

“Just watching you become even more of a big shot than we are,” Xavier quips. “Will you still bake for us when you’re rich and famous.”

“I’m already rich and famous,” I shoot back. “I married billionaires, don’t you know?”

The banter comes easily between us, everything comfortable and light.

Dominic raises an eyebrow at that, pretending to be hurt. “Is that all we are to you?”

“No, you’re also warm bodies in my bed,” I sass back, laughing.

He chuckles, and there’s heated adoration in his gaze as he looks at me. “I see someone woke up with a smart mouth today. I can’t wait to give that mouth something else to do when we get home,” he murmurs.

My heart skips a beat, and I suddenly can’t wait for this event to be over.

We stay through until the end though, as befitting the guests of honor and their wife. There are so many people to say goodbyeto and everyone wants to talk. I keep my polite smile on the whole time, but I am raring to leave.

When the last person is out the door, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Can we go now?” I ask them.

“Not so fast,” Tristan says, catching me around the middle. “All the guests are gone, and we paid the cleaning staff to wait until tomorrow to come deal with the mess.”

“Why?” I ask, frowning up at him.

“So we can have this place to ourselves.”

My breath hitches as I realize what that means. This beautiful space, and it’s all ours for the night.

Tristan lifts me up onto one of the tables, and I settle in. Xavier comes forward with a plate of cake and a wicked grin on his face. “I saved this,” he says.

“Because you want to eat it later?” I ask.

The men laugh. “No,” Dominic answers. “Because the very first time we watched you come for one of us was after hearing you moan at how delicious a treat you made was. And the only thing sweeter than your desserts is you.”

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