Page 63 of Royal Shark
“She’s family,” he repeats. “I take care of my family, and I’m going to make you partner in the casino with me. It’s you, me, Emma, and Jackson, each with a say on the running of the casino, each receiving a portion of the profits.”
My jaw drops. “Did you buy out a portion of their share to include me?” That must’ve cost a lot.
“I would have, but they said it wasn’t necessary. They understand now how much work it is for us, and I’ve told them how much you bring to the table. They’re happy to remain in the background, occasionally performing, but otherwise silent investors.”
I blink. “It’s too much.”
His voice is warm honey, and I melt, my knees going weak. “It’s my wedding gift to you, love.”
I cannot believe this. Me, part owner of a casino? It’s beyond my wildest dreams. Of course it is, because it’s from Adrian Rourke, the man who surpasses all my wildest dreams.
“Do you accept?” he asks.
“Yes! Of course I accept! Thank you!” I hug him tight and then pull back to look up at him. “I’ll pay Chloe’s tuition from my casino earnings. This is just beyond…Adrian.” My voice cracks. “I want to give you an amazing wedding gift too. I’ll have to think of something really great.”
“You already did by agreeing to marry me and live here with me. It’s everything I’ve always wanted.”
“There must be something. What do you want in your wildest dreams?”
He strokes my hair back, his eyes intent on mine. “Cards on the table?”
“Absolutely.”
“I want a family with you, when you’re ready.”
I nod, my vision swimming with tears. “I want that too, but that’s a gift for both of us. What else do you want?”
He gives me a sexy smile and inclines his head toward the bedroom. “I have some ideas.”
“Anything.”
He growls in my ear in the deep voice that gives me hot shivers, “Not only are you a dream come true, you’re about to make every fantasy come true.”
Epilogue
Three months later…
Adrian
It’s official! Sara and I are married. We’re on our way to the ballroom for our wedding reception after taking a million pictures right after the ceremony. It’s a few days after Christmas. We didn’t want to wait long to marry after waiting so many years to connect again. We also wanted it at a time when we knew a lot of our family would have some time off to return to Villroy for the holidays.
She’s been a huge help to me at the casino right from the start, just as I knew she’d be. After a couple of months, we hired someone to open and do some routine checks before she and I work the late shift together, me mostly in my office, Sara mostly on the floor. We switch it up sometimes, but that’s how it works best. We’re both night owls. She’s better at managing people, and I’m better at numbers and big-picture strategy. It was probably the easiest and best decision I ever made. I mean, besides marrying her.
As we approach the ballroom, I’m anticipating a huge cheer and applause like at the palace chapel right after we said “I do” followed by a lot of social time. I need her just to myself for a moment longer. I pull her around the corner to a quiet hallway.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“Here,” I say before wrapping my arms around her and pressing my lips to hers.
She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me passionately. The fire ignites between us, and I’m suddenly dying for more. I pin her against the wall, pressing my body against hers.Yesss.I kiss a trail to her jaw, up to her ear, where I growl in the way that makes her hot and needy, “Upstairs.”
She gazes into my eyes. “I have a wedding gift for you.”
“You already framed the cards from our pact, and you honored our pact. That’s the best gift you could give me.” The framed cards are hanging on the wall just above our bed as a constant reminder that our love was meant to be. Our younger selves knew.
I kiss her again, demanding more. She melts against me in the way I love.
Several moments later, she tears her mouth away, breathing hard. “Ade, listen. I want to give you this before we go in, okay?”
