Page 114 of Enticing the Fixer

“Kinsley Monroe, I love you, and I can’t wait to raise a family with you. I promise that I’ll take care of you and the baby and give you the life you deserve.” I pop open the lid of the box with the thumb of my free hand. “Will you marry me?”

The engagement ring is nestled in the black box with a white pillowed interior. The company’s name is printed in gold along the inside of the lid, but that’s not what she can’t keep her eyes away from. The 3-karat square diamond set amongst a pave accent ring glistening in the glow of the candles demands her attention like a pregnant ex-girlfriend crashing a family dinner.

“I don’t know what to say.” She blinks. “I love you, and I’d be honored to be your wife. But you don’t have to give me expensive gifts or jewels.”

“Yes, I do.” I slip the ring on her finger, and she clutches her throat with her free hand while staring at the diamond.

“It’s stunning. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It will be nothing but the best for you.”

She leans forward and cups my face. “I was going to ask you to marry me because the stairwell wasn’t as romantic as this.”

“I know.” One corner of my mouth raises.

In seconds, we’re back where we started. Only this time, she convinces me to take off my clothes and stay awhile. Like she’s getting rid of me.

Chapter Sixty-Three

The Next Day

Kinsley

“Thank you.” My heels click on the floor as I rush across the room to Valeria’s desk. I don’t care if she’s a hugger or not. If she wouldn’t have suspected something sinister had happened to my father, his killer wouldn’t be in jail, waiting for arraignment, and I wouldn’t have met Leo.

Well, I guess I probably would have met Leo. One of his best friends works at Callahan’s, and I would have still needed a good dicking to get over my crabby mood. So that would have all worked out in the end.

When I approach her, her face morphs into a warm greeting replacing the anxious one she’d worn when she’d stepped up to the doorway. “You’re welcome.”

I set my briefcase on the floor and wrap my arms around her. We stand there, taking in the enormity of the last few months.

“I’m sorry about your father.”

“Yeah.” I rub her back and step out of her embrace. “Me, too. It was pure evilness on Carla’s part.”

“Yes.” She laces her arms over her chest. “Yes, it was. Your father was an amazing man.” Her gaze darts to the ground. “I’m assuming Leo told you that your father and I were seeing each other.”

“Yes, he did.” I walk back to my desk. “I’m not saying I would have jumped up and down in excitement if he would have broken the news to me, but I’d like to think I wouldn’t have been a bitch.” My father was charming, and Valeria is a wonderful woman. Even if she’s my age. I study her. Is she even my age? “Was he happy?”

“Yes.” She nods. “Yes, he was happy.”

“Good.” I clap my hands together and rub them. “That’s all that matters. I have something for you.”

She clears her throat, and a pink stain covers her cheeks. “I should–”

“No.” I raise my hand, palm facing outward, and ward her off. “I want to give you this before the board meeting.”

“Okay.” She turns toward her desk. “Do I need my notebook? It’s on my desk.”

“No.” I lay my briefcase on her desk and retrieve a stack of papers. “Leo purchased Curtis and Preston’s shares and gave them to me. I want to give you a quarter of those shares.” To take some of the seriousness off the day, I smirk. “I need a new board member. Or three.”

“Oh, my gosh.” Her mouth drops open as she snatches the pages from my hand. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.” She scours the typewritten pages.

“You are an excellent assistant, and my dad loved you.”

“I need to tell you something.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Okay.” Why does it feel like I won’t like whatever she says? Was she cheating on him? Had she broken up with him? Was she not dating him, and I gave her shares for no reason?

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