Cameron's Contract (18 page)

“Oh my God.”

I smiled. “We’ll make it work.”

“Will I get an office?”

“If you like.”

“Near yours?”

“Most definitely.”

I steered us around a tight curve and she leaned into the turn.

“I’ll get to see you during the day,” she said. “My dream job.”

Glancing over, I was reassured she truly looked forward to this and I was comforted with the thought she’d be close. What I wanted more than anything was for her to be happy. “Don’t ever give up on your dream, Mia.”

“Scarlet told me that with you the world is my oyster.”

I took her hand. “You don’t need me for that to be true.”

Her frown line deepened and something told me she was thinking of us, our future, and where that might lead her. We’d both been faced with such profound changes lately and in many ways we were still reeling.

My once reluctance to take up the challenge of running Cole Tea gripped me with the fierceness of a maddening fugue. I had surrendered to my future, and with Mia by my side I knew anything was possible. Taking the business to the next level filled me with the kind of passion I never realized I was capable of.

“I’m happy you’re coming with me,” I said. “I don’t take it for granted.”

“Silly.” She reached out and her hand rested on my thigh. “Where are we going today?”

I chuckled. “Life is a journey. Enjoy it.”

She settled back and sighed contentedly. Seeing her relaxed and feeling safe warmed my heart and brought the peace I yearned for.

Arriving at our destination, I pulled off the road.

She shifted in her seat, sensing we’d arrived, her excitement tangible.

After parking, I took a moment to savor this, making sure I remembered every single second of being here with her.

I strolled around to her side and held the door open.

A seagull flew over us and I watched Mia’s expression, her fingertips trailing over the edge of the velvet blindfold. She breathed in the fresh air.

I knew she’d guess our location from the yachts shifting on their mores and the lapping water.

A couple of pedestrians strolled past us and reacted when they saw Mia’s blindfold. Two kids on bikes whizzed by.

Taking Mia by the hand, I guided her toward the harbor and we made our way along the wharf.

“Ha! I know where we are.”

“Silence, Ms. Lauren.”

My life had changed irrevocably the moment I’d met her. Her sweetness, her love had been what I’d needed all along. Before her I’d spent my days dedicated to making those around me happy, and some part of me had doubted I deserved that same contentment.

She was the greatest reward, but I knew we couldn’t continue like this. Change lingered in the air. And I welcomed it, craved it.  

There, secured at the end, was my 57m Remington RIO luxury yacht, once named La Ricochet. This boat, along with the rest of my life, was going to be transported to our new home in the Hamptons. A quick helicopter ride from Cole Tower.  

And there it would stay, right up until the moment the Cole skyscraper was completed in Los Angeles, and we’d be able to move back.

For now, we’d be calling New York home.

Mia leaned against me and nuzzled into my chest. She fit so perfectly there. This meeting of minds and hearts was more then I’d ever imagined possible.  

“Ready, Mia?”

She nodded.

I eased off her blindfold and tucked it into my pocket.

She squealed. “Are we going out on it?”

I grinned at her. “Mia…look at the name.”

“The name?”

I gestured toward the starboard—

It was then she saw the boat’s new moniker.  

The Mrs.

Her hands cupped her mouth.

Kneeling before her, I brought out the small black box. “Mia Lauren.” I lifted its lid. “Will you marry me?”

A breeze caught her hair, brushing it over her face.

It made her giggle.

I beamed up at her. “Now’s a good time to answer.”  

“Yes, of course. Yes, yes, yes, oh Cameron,
yes.
”

I slid the ring onto her finger.

Her eyes widened in wonder at the elegant Asscher cut diamond.

She fell into my arms and I lifted her, laughing and spinning her around, feeling freer then I ever had and marveling that I’d found her.

I carried her along the dock, up the short steps, and onto the yacht.

Up and onto the upper deck.

The captain navigated
The Mrs.
out of the harbor and guided us out along the coast. The water, still like glass, reflecting the moon as we cut through. The boat left its transient mark.

Mia and I ate dinner and spent the rest of the evening dancing to R&B and jazz and endlessly talking. She might have talked more than me, but I loved every second of it.

Snuggled together, we leaned on the balustrade and savored the setting sun.  

Our future looked something like that sunset, profoundly stunning, an array of scattered colors, a ray path of brilliant light in all its oranges and reds, melting on the horizon.

I believed this was really what Carl Jung meant about how nature thinks—that no matter how much pain we endure in life, if we wait long enough, eventually we’ll find our way back to a place where we’re no longer running and can find our center again. 

Find ourselves.

A moment to just be.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Fewings is the award-winning author of the Enthrall Sessions.

Vanessa is also the author of The Stone Masters Vampire Series, a paranormal saga.

Her romantic comedy, Piper Day’s Ultimate Guide to Avoiding George Clooney, has already garnered a buzz of excitement from readers around the world. Prior to publishing, Vanessa worked as a registered nurse and midwife. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and has lived in Germany, Hong Kong, and Cyprus.

Born and raised in England, Vanessa now proudly calls herself an American and resides in California with her husband.

Other books in the series:

Enthrall

Enthrall Her

Enthrall Him

Novellas

Cameron’s Control

Cameron’s Contract

Richard’s Reign