Page 89 of Hell Hath No Fury
"Um… " I trail off.
"Yes?" Derrick probes.
"We know with one-hundred-percent certainty?" I question.
He nods. "That's right. There's no denying we belong together. I mean, after spending time together, you have to admit taking the next step forward is better than trying to deny what we both know."
"And what's that?" someone asks, I think it's Barry from Advertising.
"That we're perfect for one another."
Shannon snaps her gum. "They're totally in love with each other but both of them were idiots and denied it. Derrick gave in, but Audra, my bestie, keeps trying to run. I hate to tell you, babe, Derrick's already caught you."
I gape. They're announcing this in front of more than just the HR department. More employees have filed in, the room nearly full.
Derrick turns to look at me, his gaze locking onto mine, daring me to look away. I couldn't if I wanted to. "It's true, Audra, and if you'd let me finish knocking your walls down, you'll admit it, too. I've loved you for a while, and I know you love me, too."
"How would you know that?" I ask softly.
"There's no way you'd have spent the weekend with me if you didn't. One night, yes. But not the weekend. Not the way we did," he finishes.
There are sexy whistles and cat calls.
I let out a nervous laugh. "Nothing like putting me on the spot."
He smiles softly, reaching up to touch my cheek with his index finger. "It's the only way to crush that wall to dust."
I nod, agreeing. "You're right. It's hard to let those walls down, but you've torn them down—all the way now. They're nothing but sand." I pause. "You really love me?"
"I told you. I've been waiting." I remember. "I do. I love you, Audra."
There are swoony noises filling the room.
Tears fill my eyes. "I never thought of myself as love-worthy." I take a steadying breath. "I love you. I love you, Derrick."
His smile lights up the entire room. There are cheers and clapping as Derrick pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me, and kisses the shit out of me, right there, in the middle of DP Enterprises.
"You better sign that Consensual Relationship Agreement asap," Mark teases.
"Especially with that tongue action and those wandering hands," Jamie adds.
I smile. "They're going to pay for that."
"Damn right they are. We'll find a way."
"Together," I agree.
"If there are no objections to this relationship—not that it would matter if there were—," Alex begins, "we better get those documents signed and back to work. This company isn't going to run itself."
"Chop chop!" Mark shouts. "Raises will be reflected for the current pay period forward.
More cheers.
"I think they're more excited about the raises," I tell Derrick, my arms around his neck, his still around my waist, as I look up into his gorgeous face.
"You scared the shit out of them. They thought they were getting canned," Mark interrupts.
I snicker. "Maybe Henry shouldn't have eavesdropped, then."
