“With my girlfriend. I’m taking her to dinner to celebrate the success of her game acquisition.” My mouth bobs open and closed like a fish. It takes me way longer than it should to put all of the pieces together. He presses a finger to his lips. “Shhh! Don’t tell her. It’s a surprise.”
“You’re joking?” I say, unable to believe it. I just gave him the game two weeks ago. There are still a few bugs, a few fixes…
“I never joke about business.” He says. The elevator dings when we hit the sixth floor, my home for the last ninety days. I just stand there staring at him. “Isn’t this your floor?”
I nod my head and finally smile. “Wait…you have to tell me.” He gently places his hand on my back and guides me out of the elevator. By the time I turn around, the doors are already closing.
“Tonight.” He says. “Check the top drawer of your desk.”
The doors seal shut and both the elevator and Rex are on their way. I can’t believe this. Tech Magic is actually going to produce my game. Tears form in my eyes. This is unreal. I nearly high step all the way to my desk. Thank God no one’s here; I can’t wait to see what Rex has left me.
With shaking fingers I open my top drawer. There on top is a blue Tiffany’s box and an unmarked card. I rip the paper with more fury than I’ve ever opened anything before. A notecard that smells unbelievably like Rex Jamison scrawled with the words, “Tonight. Tavern on the Green. Seven o’clock.” I dig into the Tiffany’s box and find the most glorious ruby red necklace I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Immediately I put it on, but feel crazy about how expensive it is. Is it too flashy for the office?
I square my shoulders and figure who cares? I just scored an amazing deal with my dream company and I finally get to start seeing Rex again. Because now that my game has sold, I don’t have to work here. I can move on to my next project and sell that one…and the next one…and the next one.
And the whole time I can be with Rex. Tears stream from my eyes. And I realize right then and there that I can’t wait until tonight. I grab my purse. Unable to wait for the elevator, I take the fire exit stairs which is no easy task to run up four flights in three inch booties.
Out of breath, but full of vigor I throw open the door and rush inside. I rush past the reception desk and throw open Rex’s door. “Rex Jamison, I quit.”
“Excuse me?” he says.
“You heard me.” I say and take off my coat. “I don’t have to work here as a programmer. I can keep selling games and we can be together without any sort of pressure from anyone. Including the pressure you put on yourself.” I rush over and lay my hand on his cheek. “You deserve to be happy. And so do I. Look, I know it’s soon, but I love you Rex Jamison. I haven’t thought of anything but you—well, and my game—since the day we met.”
“Hope.” He says and presses his lips to mine. When he pulls away, his lips are stained with my M.A.C. Lipstick. “I love you too. And if this is what you want…”
“It is.”
“Then I want it too.”
He kisses me again, longer and harder this time. My leg wraps around his thick thighs, my knee digging into his plump ass. God he has a great ass! I’ve waited so long for this and my entire body is ready for him.
“I’ve missed this body.” He says, pressing his forehead against mine. I playfully push him away from me.
“Well, Mister Jamison.” I say, and saunter over to the door. I turn back to face him and kick it shut with my foot. “This body has missed you.” His hooded eyes grow dark as I make my way back over to him, falling into his arms. The door clicks shut behind us, as the first employees make their way into the office.
We don’t even try and stifle our moans. Instead, we let them out, both of us overjoyed to finally be an official couple.
Epilogue
Hope
ONE YEAR LATER
You don’t realize what it’s like to date a billionaire…well, until you date a billionaire. It was beyond easy to give up my apartment in Queens, though moving into Manhattan has been an adjustment. Rex’s apartment, and full staff, keep us up and running. Luckily, the twenty-eighth floor—penthouse level—is pretty soundproof.
“Over there, please.” I tell the workman wiggling the furniture into the freshly painted room. My diamond engagement ring sparkles in the afternoon light. Not only is my game the hottest new thing of the year, but my engagement to tech billionaire Rex Jamison is all over the New York Times announcement section. How did my life become so freaking amazing?
“That’s perfect.” I say to the man, taking in the look of the new room, which I’ve gone to great lengths to redecorate while Rex is at work. It’s sort of a surprise. My housekeeper, Anna, helps me put all of the final bits and bops into place so that everything looks perfect. When I glance at my watch I realize that he’ll be home any minute.
As the staff disperses, I run to the shower and take a quick rinse, spray myself with the most amazing perfume courtesy of my fiancé, and dress in a neutral linen jumpsuit. I can barely contain my excitement as the doorbell buzzes. It’s the food!
I lead the catering folks inside and have them set up the feast on the dining room server. The wind rustles in from the floor to ceiling window, blowing the curtains ever so slightly as I light the candles and put the champagne in a bucket of ice.
When Rex finally makes it home, I’m ready for him but my nerves are on high alert. I want everything to be perfect. From the look on his face after he sets down his bag, it appears I’ve succeeded.
“My love.” He walks over and plants a delicious kiss on my lips. “What’s all this?”
“A celebration.” I say, rubbing my hands up and down the sides of his tight torso.
He raises his eyebrows. “You finished the new game?”
“I did.”
“That’s wonderful!” He lifts me up and spins me around. My body tenses and I’m glad it only lasts a second. Once I’m on my feet, I take him by the hand. “And I treated myself to a little redecorating to celebrate.”
“Is that why you wouldn’t let me into your office the last week?”
My eyes sparkle as I smile. “Uh-huh.” I begin dragging him down the hall. “Come on, you want to see it?”
“I don’t think I have a choice.” He teases, and I slap him on the arm.
We make it to the door and I stand behind him, reaching from my tiptoes to cover his eyes. “Close’em.”
Rex sighs. “That spread in there looked so good. I’m starving…”
“Close’em, Mister.”
Once I feel his eyelids close beneath my palms I reach in front of him and open the door. “Okay…open!”
Rex opens his eyes and takes a step inside. For a long time, he doesn’t say anything at all. He just walks around the room, taking it all in and stops at the side of the crib. His head darts in my direction. “Hope, you’re…?” His face erupts into a smile and he covers his face with his hands. “I’m…going to be a father?”