Page 104 of Silver Fox's Christmas Scandal
She melted into me immediately, her arms circling my neck as we stole these precious moments of privacy.
The taste of her, the feel of her body against mine, the way she fit so perfectly in my arms—it all reminded me why I was willing to risk everything for this woman.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked breathlessly when we broke apart.
"Are you?" I searched her face for any trace of doubt or fear but found only excitement and determination.
"Your love makes me ready, Luci." Her hands smoothed down my tie, straightening what our kisses had rumpled. "Go get 'em, tiger."
Her confidence bolstered my own resolve. I kissed her again one last time, then straightened my jacket and prepared to face the crowd.
The conference room had filled completely by the time I reached the small stage. Familiar faces looked up at me expectantly—employees who'd worked for Cross Capital foryears, board members who'd just voted to keep me in power, shareholders eager to hear about our future direction.
And scattered throughout, the people who mattered most—Elena happily snacking on Christmas cookies, Blake standing near the windows with his arms crossed, Tessa and Jamie positioned near the catering station, and Viktoria watching from the back with calculating eyes.
"Good evening, everyone." My voice carried easily across the room as conversations died away. "Thank you all for joining us for another successful year at Cross Capital."
I launched into the traditional overview of our quarterly performance, merger successes, and projections for the coming year.
But my heart raced as I approached the personal portion of my remarks.
"This year has tested us in ways we didn't anticipate," I continued, my gaze finding Elena's encouraging nod. "We've faced challenges that forced us to examine what really matters—in business and in life."
A murmur rippled through the audience. They could sense something different in my tone.
"Three days ago, our board of directors voted to maintain their confidence in my leadership of this company. I'm grateful for that support, especially from those who stood by me when the rumors and speculation threatened to overshadow our work."
I paused, letting my eyes sweep the room before finding Tessa's face in the crowd. She gave me the smallest nod, her expression radiating love and encouragement.
"But tonight, I want to address those rumors directly. For months, there has been speculation about my personal life, specifically about my relationship with one of our most talented team members." I stepped closer to the edge of the stage. "I'mhere to confirm that yes, I am in love with Tessa Wynn, our newest junior analyst. More than that, I'm hoping she'll soon become Tessa Wynn-Cross, as we're expecting our first child together."
The reaction was immediate and mixed. Some faces showed genuine surprise, others knowing smiles, and a few disapproving frowns.
But the energy in the room shifted, conversations buzzing as people processed this public confirmation of what many had suspected.
Viktoria's snort of disgust cut through the chatter. She pushed through the crowd toward the exit, her heels clicking angrily.
"Pathetic," she muttered loud enough for nearby guests to hear before storming out completely.
I didn't watch her leave. Instead, I stepped down from the stage and moved directly to Tessa, who stood frozen with surprise and joy written across her features.
"Tessa Wynn," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear as I slipped my arm around her waist. "The most brilliant analyst this company has ever seen, and the woman who's made me believe in second chances."
Jamie's voice rose above the crowd's murmur. "Kiss her!"
The chant spread quickly through the room, voices joining in until it became a thunderous demand.
I looked up to see we were standing directly beneath the mistletoe that someone had hung from the conference room's light fixture.
"Well," I murmured to Tessa, whose cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment and delight. "Seems we don't have a choice."
I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her thoroughly, pouring every ounce of love and commitment into the contact.
The room erupted in applause and cheers, but all I could focus on was the woman in my arms and the life we were building together.
When we finally broke apart, Daniel appeared with champagne glasses—sparkling cider for Tessa—and genuine warmth in his expression. "Congratulations to you both. The company's lucky to have you."
Jamie bounced over with tears in her eyes, pulling Tessa into a fierce hug. "I knew it! I absolutely knew there was more to that mentorship than you were letting on." I chuckled as they hugged and Jamie pulled away to busy herself with guests.
