Page 22 of The Boss’s Obsession
She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Ronan, you can’t just do that.”
“I’m the boss. I can do whatever I want.”
“But why? Why are you going to these lengths? Maybe I suck at marketing,” she prompted. “You never bend on your principles and you only employ the best. I was already the exception to those rules when you took me in.”
“You were never the exception. You’ve always been brilliant at being my assistant, and I’m willing to bet you’ve always been brilliant at everything you set your mind to. Sienna, you’re just like me, whether you realize that yet or not. You’re tenacious and full of grit, and you get things done. You’re brilliant at whatever you do, and I respect the hell out of that. If a marketing position isn’t enough to make you stay, then what about half the company?” The words rushed from my lips before I could stop them. The only thing that mattered was making this woman mine.
My words took a long moment to register.
“What the hell does that mean?” Her tone was demanding, a challenge.
“It means you could do anything, for and with anyone, whenever you wanted to… the world is open to you, laid out before you… but if you choose me, like I desperately want you to, everything I have is yours. I don’t want a casual fling with my sexy young assistant, Sienna. I want to marry the first and only woman who can keep up with me, who impresses me, who challenges me. I want to marry the only woman I’ve slept through the night beside, and even been late for work because of. I am not an easy man, I know it, and I don’t make any excuses for it. But you fit me, Sienna. If you choose me, I’ll support you in anything you want to do, however, you want to do it, as long as we both shall live.”
My words rushed from me, the most daring, insane, and romantic thing I’d ever said. I wasn’t a hearts and flowers kind of man. I didn’t always get the subtle nuances in relationships that other people seemed to treasure. The world was cut and dried for me. Now, it seemed obvious that there was my life before this woman, and my life after, and there was only one that I wanted. I needed her to give me that chance to give her everything.
Her mouth had dropped open with surprise, and I stepped in, taking advantage of her momentary shock to cup her face and press a kiss to her lips.
“Nothing I said last night has changed. I want you. I want to marry you. You’re the one for me, and no one else will do. Be mine, and I’ll move the world to give you whatever you want.” My soft murmur sent her eyes fluttering shut. She swayed against my chest. “Please.” I’d never pleaded for anything in my life, but now, I’d get down on my knees and beg if that’s what she wanted.
“You’ll really give me anything I want?” Her tone of wonder gave me hope.
I nodded. “Anything.”
“I want to work here. I don’t want to work at Turner Tech.”
Her words were like iced water dousing me over the head.
She opened her eyes and met mine. I saw the grim determination in her gaze. “I don’t want to be the woman who got her job by sleeping with the boss. I want a life other than work, and I don’t want Turner Tech to come between us.”
A maelstrom of emotions whirled in my chest, snapping, and biting at my heart.
“What are you saying?” I asked, my voice raw.
“I’m saying I’ll date you, Ronan Turner, but I don’t want to work for you ever again.”
A laugh left my lips at her words. Hope sprouted in my chest. I was crestfallen that I couldn’t see her at work every day, and yet, that steel spine of hers, and the way she challenged me only made me want her more. She was her own woman, and I respected the hell out of her guts and determination.
“Is this a negotiation, Sienna?” I murmured, stepping closer, my hands still cupping her face. Excitement beat in my veins now that she’d agreed to our relationship. I was one step closer to my goal.
“I guess so. That’s my offer, take it or leave it.”
“I never agree with the opening pitch, as you know,” I said smoothly. One of my hands moved to her chin and I cupped her face, while my other hand went enveloped her palm. Threading my fingers through hers, I beamed down at her.
“My counter is this – work where you want, blow the business world away on your own terms, but we don’t date.”
Confusion scrunched her eyebrows together.
“We get married. I’ll accept nothing less,” I told her firmly. “Take it or leave it.” I echoed her earlier taunt.
She laughed, the sound winding around my awkward heart, now, beating only for her, and pulled tight.
She brought her hand up to touch my cheek, tracing the grin that was etched there, seeming to understand how the rarely used muscles ached. “I’ll take it.”
Epilogue
5 YEARS LATER
Ronan
