Page 68 of Cocky Tech God
His eyebrow lifted.
“Let’s find out.” Hansen pulled me away from the elevator and led me to my room. He knew exactly where it was. I didn’t plan on asking if he’d stalked me. Clearly, he had.
In the room, I opened my email app on my iPad. Sure enough, an email popped up from Morgan Financial Holdings. I opened it, my fingers shaking with anticipation. I read. I read again, blocking Hansen out. My heart fell.
I lost.
I looked up at him, my eyes blurry from tears falling freely from my eyes. “No…”
“Oh, baby.” He hugged me so hard I couldn’t breathe. “I was sure you’d get it.”
Breathe. I broke free from his hold, going to the view that had kept me grounded since I stepped foot on this island. The blue waves curled over into white foam. A ball grew in my throat. NuvaTech was now a prospect, so I had some reassurance—very small reassurance, but it was something. Still, it wasn’t enough. I needed to land a contract, signed and delivered. If not, I’d officially be a failure. I was a second away from that fate.
“Luci,” Hansen said, slow and steady. “You should read this other email.”
I grabbed my tablet from him. “What email?”
An email had arrived minutes before Morgan Financial Holdings’s announcement. WebsterTrade, a major online financial institution, had sent a message to me regarding my presentation.
We would like to implement your cutting-edge, innovative software for our cybersecurity needs. Please contact us at your earliest convenience to schedule an in-depth demo of all features and discuss pricing options.
I read the words again. And then a third time. Oh, my God. Another real prospect.
I looked up, meeting Hansen’s gaze.
He nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face.
I didn’t know what to say, how to express what I’d just felt. First, I’d thought it was over, and then I realized everything was just beginning for me. This fall, in business and love, was the best thing that had ever happened to me.
The tears fell, but they were of relief and happiness. He wiped them away.
“I told you your software was the best on the market. Didn’t I?” His voice was a whisper.
“You did.” A feeling of relief came over me that could put me into sleep for a week. I needed it so bad. I was wrecked. Emotionally and physically.
“I’m always going to be here for you, baby. I’m always going to be your biggest cheerleader because you are a literal badass. And you’re mine.”
“I’m yours, huh?” I grinned. Imagine, Hansen and me, the most noncommittal people on the planet, committing to each other.
“Hell yes, you’re mine. I’m in love with you, Lucia. But you already knew that. Maybe you’ll feel the same one day.”
The longer I stared at him, the more it was crystal clear. “How about today?”
“I think that will work.”
Hansen pulled me in for a kiss. The security of his arms around me proved there would never be a love breach between us.
We were iron-clad.
We were for life.
The end.
Hansen - A Year Later
I was in my Manhattan office, about to take a bite out of a steak sandwich when my cell phone buzzed with an incoming video call. There on the screen was the baddest, most amazing woman alive. My woman. My wife.
My heart swelled. Holy hell. I was every bit the whipped man all my friends accused me of being since Lucia and I came back from Grand Cayman last year. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.