“I do.” She blew out a relieved breath. “I can’t tell you how much I love that you’re an independent guy. You didn’t insist on coming with me to Beth’s, or acting like I hurt your feelings because I didn’t ask you to.”
“I wanted to be with you, believe me,” he said with feeling. “I want to be your partner, Nat. Not your doormat, your slave, or your boss.”
“Oh man. I am loving you more and more.”
He grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. We can take this as fast or slow as you want, but I’m tellin’ you now, I want all of you.”
“I said we could do all that kinky stuff at home. You know, oral, anal…”
He chuckled. “No, sugar. I mean, yeah, that. But I’m talking about us living together. Getting married.”
She started.
“Now, hold on. I’m not rushing you. We have all the time in the world. I figure by next month, we’ll have said our I Do’s.”
“Next month?” she said in a loud voice, then narrowed her gaze on his laughter. “You think that’s funny?”
“I surely do. I love you. I want you, forever. But next month’s pushin’ it, even for me.”
“But not your momma, I’ll bet.” She gloated at his sudden panic. “Yeah, Sue wants grandkids like yesterday. And she likes me.”
He shook his head. “No, she loves you. Which reminds me. The council loves you too. Ten to one says your job is waiting for you when you get back. Josh is sucking, big time. Everyone from Marly to Harper can’t stand him. So be prepared to go right back to work. Will it bother you to have folks whispering about you if you do?”
“They can kiss my ass. As long as you’re with me.”
He smiled, and she sighed at the beauty of his happiness. “That sounds about right, sugar. Now how about I give you that orgasm you’re due? Then we can talk about playing with that pretty little ass of yours? I have some ideas about fun we can have at the club, if you’re game. Jason was a mistake, but I have a few friends who would just love to play with you and me. Friends who know what discreet means.”
Her heart raced. “If I’m game? Honey, I’m board champion. Play on.”
Rex hadn’t lied. Back home in Augusta, her boss begged her to step back into her job. As far as the council was concerned, Nat’s private life remained private. The rumors Josh had circulated ended up creating a hostile work environment and getting him fired for harassment. The mayor remained surprisingly quiet about the whole thing.
Four days after being back on the job, her secretary Marly hugged her out of the blue. “I know I’ve said it a million times, but I’m so glad you’re back. That cretin ruined months’ worth of scheduling in just two weeks!”
Marly did love her calendars. “I’m glad to be back. Well, Marly, let’s fix things.”
Marly grinned and went back to patching up everything that Josh had broken.
Nat called Harper to bark a few orders at him, one of which was to remind Derrick Warren to get his ass to the office—on time—for their weekly Friday meeting the next day. She spent the rest of her Thursday squaring away the civic center details and only realized the end of the day had come when a shadow covered her desk.
“Hey, you…” She blinked up at Rex and smiled. “Rex.”
Her smile prompted his. “Excuse me, Ms. Wielder. But I believe we have a date.”
“A date?”
He plucked her out of her chair, grabbed her purse and handed it to her, then forced her out of the office.
“But I’m not—”
“Done? Yes, you are.” He nodded at Marly, who blushed like a school girl.
“Have a nice night, Nat. Mr. Samson.”
“Now, darlin’, I’ve told you to call me Rex. And don’t worry, we will.” He winked at her, and Marly tittered and waved.
This from the same woman who practically chewed nails whenever anyone got close to Nat without permission. The woman had a constant bone to pick with Derrick Warren because of his continuous tardiness, and Derrick could charm the scales off a snake.
Rex plugged her into the passenger seat of his car, then sped back to his condo. She let him lug her around like a ragdoll, anticipating the moment when she’d turn the tables and strap him down to the bed. Again.
And speaking of strap-on, it was time to put that new toy to good use. She’d been dying to feel what it was like to be the one doing the plowing.
He took her up the elevator in silence, not meeting her gaze. Curious.
Once at the door to their place—and how that still stunned and pleased her—he turned to her. “You have to keep me, no matter what.”
“I know.” She frowned. “Rex? Is everything okay?”
He pulled out a small felt box from his jacket pocket, and her throat swelled. She found it hard to breathe, let alone swallow.
“Nat, you’re everything to me. I love you more than I thought I could love anyone. Will you marry me?”
He opened the box, and a huge square-cut diamond winked at her, promising a future of happiness she’d never considered might be hers.
“I’ll always be yours to command,” he said in a low voice. “I’ll take care of you, as much as you take care of me. A partnership, Mistress.” He smiled.
She stared from him to the ring, knowing without a doubt what her answer would be. “You realize this is too soon.”
“Yep.”
“We’re barely living together.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You haven’t met my parents yet. And even I don’t like my dad all that much.”
“Right.”
“But wow, do I love you.” She leaned close to kiss him. “Will you let me give you a ring too? Maybe a collar you’ll wear just for me, in private?”
His eyes shone. “Oh, sugar. Anything for you.” He put the ring on her finger. “So is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
He kissed her and swung her in his arms, laughing. Soon he came to a stop and set her down. “One more thing.”
She felt dizzy. “What’s that?”
“Formula One or Indy?”
“You mean, do I like watching a car race around a track for no other reason than that men like to play with tools and tires?”
“And that’s my answer.” He sighed. “Well, at least you’re smart, sexy and good in bed. Three out of four ain’t bad.”
She tried to glare, but she couldn’t keep the joy from her face. “You—”
“Now don’t be mad.” He opened the door and pushed her through before she could ask what he was talking about.
“Surprise!” yelled a group of people, scaring the living daylights out of her.
Brian, Faith, the Warrens and their girlfriends, Harper and Freddy, and Beth and Julie waved and smiled. She saw Rex’s parents as well, and oh my gosh, her mother and brothers. Of her father, she saw no sign.
“I kind of set this up beforehand,” he said in her ear.
“I figured that.” She blinked, stunned and yet pleased at the celebration. She turned to him. “What if I’d said no?”
“Oh, this isn’t an engagement party. It’s a welcome back to work party. I know how to cover my bases.”
Her sister spied her ring and squealed, “Oh my God! Nat’s getting married!”
Everyone converged on her and Rex, who stood beaming. Nat laughed and hugged her family and her new friends. Freddy couldn’t stop smiling, nor could Harper. Nat’s family spoke with Rex’s parents. Her mother hugged her, only to be dragged away by Sue.
Nat found Rex an hour later in the hallway. “You know how I feel about surprises?”
“You hate them.” His smug smile turned her on, no question.
“And you know what’s going to happen when everyone goes home?” She spanked his ass and didn’t miss the bulge in his pants.