“You were right about Carl. I can’t believe I fell for his good boy act.”
“That’s all it has ever been, an act.”
She shook her head. “It just sucks that’s all. I helped him thinking he needed a break, and I was the one that ended up the loser.” She placed a hand on her head, feeling a dull ache begin to start. “I don’t suppose you’re looking for another assistant?”
“Yep. I’ve not even arranged for a temporary one.”
“You’ve been doing all of this by yourself?” she asked, amazed that he even knew how.
“Of course. It helped that I had a pretty awesome PA that I love more than anything. She was amazing, and made sure that I wouldn’t be alone.”
Nora smiled at him. It warmed her from the inside out whenever he told her that he loved her.
You’ve not said anything to him.
Staring down at the floor, her heart was pounding. Finally, she glanced up. “I want you to know that … I do love you. I know I’ve not really said it, and all. I’ve been kind of scared of giving in. I guess I’ve been really nervous.” Tears filled her eyes. Damn hormones. “I didn’t want you to not know that I do have feelings for you, and I’m not as cold and as unfeeling as I sometimes come across.”
Rex closed the distance between them, cupped her face, tilted her head back, and slammed his lips down on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in close.
He released her face to grab her hips.
Melting against him, Nora felt like the past few weeks had faded into nothing. The only man she ever wanted was Rex. Even with his asshole ways and domineering behavior, he belonged to her, and she got that now.
Pulling away from the kiss, she rested her head against his. “I can only ask you one thing, Rex.”
“What is it?” he asked. “Tell me what you want and I will do everything I can to give it to you.” His breath fanned her face, making her smile.
“Don’t hurt me.”
“I never would, baby.”
“Don’t break my heart.”
“It won’t happen. I’m going to take care of you for the rest of our lives.” He gripped her chin, tilting her head back. “I mean every single word I say. I love you, Nora. I’ve loved you for a long time, and I didn’t even know it. I hope you can forgive me for being such a horrible asshole.”
She chuckled. “I’m used to your asshole behavior.”
“Just one second,” he said, moving toward his desk. Seconds later he was back in front of her. He held a velvet box in his hands, and the sight made her heart start to pound.
“What is this?”
“A future I was hoping you’d want to be part of.”
“What do you mean?”
“I love you, Nora. I want to be a husband to you, and I want to be the perfect father. I can’t promise I won’t be an asshole. I’m forty-eight years old. It’s next to impossible for me not to be an asshole. I’m kind of set in my ways, but with you, I want to change.”
The tears that had filled her eyes started to tumble down her face.
“Marry me, Nora.”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips against his, chuckling. “I hope you’re ready for this,” she said, breaking from the kiss that he had landed on her lips.
“What do you mean?”
“I want a big family, Rex. A huge one. Lots of kids, pets, you name it.”
“Where have you been all my life? That’s exactly what I want.”
She giggled, and he held her hand, sliding the ring on her finger. Nora knew deep in her heart that this was going to work. She didn’t know why she knew or even how, only that she believed so much in the two of them.
****
One month later
Rex had sat through exams of all kinds but never had he been so nervous as waiting beside Nora as the doctor pressed that scanner thing to her stomach. The moment he heard his baby’s heartbeat, he fell in love. There was nothing to describe how damn protective he became.
Nora held onto his hands, squeezing to the point of pain.
“There you go. I can tell you hear that. Your baby has a very healthy heartbeat,” the doctor said.