Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 25039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
SPANK!
Oh, he just did!
He's spanked me three times in a row, and I can't recall the last time my bottom ever felt on fire like this! He didn't even hold back at all, and—-
Aaah!
I don't even have the chance to demand that he stop because he already has, with his hands grasping my waist as he swings me back up in a sitting position.
I don't even know if I feel indignant or amused.
I simply can't believe that really happened.
"Heaven?"
Indignant or amused? He loves me, he loves me not? I hate him, I hate him not?
I take a deep breath.
Indignant, I decide.
But when I finally turn my gaze to his—-
Oh.
It's that moment I see the heart-shaped engagement ring he's holding out in his hand.
"Will you make me the happiest man alive—-"
"You're so unfair," I cry out.
"By marrying me?"
"I'm supposed to get mad at you—-"
Hale laughs.
"But yes, oh yes, I'll marry you."
I'm still sniffing back tears when we finally leave his office hand in hand, but I end up blushing as well when I remember too late we no longer have the Sanctuary to ourselves.
Oh!
I would've stumbled and froze as I found myself face-to-face with my colleagues, but with Hale only curving an arm around my waist to pull me close, I don't even have a chance to explain or say hi.
He has us walking past them like his entire workforce isn't aware that he's hated me four years, and...is it just my imagination or did their faces really lose color upon seeing me?
I look at Hale uneasily as soon as the elevator doors close, and it's just the two of us again.
"Did you say anything to them?"
Hale checks his watch. "It probably went out a few minutes ago."
"What did?"
"A company-wide memo from the chairman of the board—-"
"Which is you," I point out.
"—-to serve as our official announcement of our engagement."
I can only laugh. Most couples either have their engagement notice posted in the papers or at least make it Instagram-official. But it's just so like Hale to inform everyone through company channels instead, and I honestly wouldn't want him any other way.
Hale's chopper is already running when we get to the helipad, and the pilot takes his lovely cap off in greeting as we approach him.
Hale helps me to my seat, but I end up looking at him in alarm when he doesn't join me on board.
"Give me ten minutes," he says. "I forgot something in my office."
I nod and think nothing about this.
Except...the minutes eventually turn into an hour, and I start feeling something's terribly wrong.
What's happening, God?
And almost on cue, the pilot switches the engine off before turning to me.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Gaines."
Why did he bother turning if he didn't care to meet my gaze?
"But I'll need you to get off the chopper and take you to H.R.."
What for?
"Could you tell me—-"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Gaines."
I don't understand, God.
The pilot gets off the chopper and offers his hand to help me out, but I find myself shaking my head in refusal.
"Ms. Gaines—-"
"Just tell me what's happening," I say unevenly. "I promise I won't cause any trouble. I just need you to tell me—-"
"If it means anything—-I'm sorry. But I'm only doing what I've been ordered to do."
My stomach starts churning. "W-Whose orders?" I see him hesitate, and I feel like throwing up.
"Please, sir."
The pilot is still unable to meet my gaze as he finally gives me the answer I dread.
"The boss. I'm just doing what Mr. Hale ordered me to do."
Hale
PANIC STRUCK AS SOON as he turned away from Heaven. It was like getting sucker-punched out of the blue, and by the time the door to the roof deck slammed shut behind Hale, the idea of marriage resembled a hangman's noose tied around his neck.
And with every second that passed, he could feel the rope tightening, bit by fucking bit.
He called his secretary, and Jenkins answered right away.
"I'm sorry, sir—-"
"You better have a damn good reason for stopping me from flying."
"A package has arrived in your office," Jenkins explained, "and it's something you'll want to take with you to Jackson Hole."
"A package?"
"Yes, sir. There are actually two of them, and I've left both in your office."
Hale stared at his phone in disbelief as the line went dead. Did his own secretary just hang up on him?
What the hell?
This was completely out of character for the older man, and he wondered grimly if Jenkins was suffering from some kind of midlife crisis. Or whatever it was called when one was in their early sixties but with both the physical and intellectual faculties of someone still in his prime.
Hale tried to focus on his thoughts on Heaven as he took the elevator back to his floor, but all his mind cared to remember was that today was the same day he had lost his parents.