BILLIONAIRE: Protected (A Dark Billionaire Romance) (12 page)

              “Working with Liam Manning has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I don't think his background has caused any setbacks for us. In fact, I think him being who he is has only helped me,” I said, looking up at Liam in the crowd.

“I don't think I could be without him for this project. I probably would have given up if it weren't for his help. He has turned this company into everything that it is. We have done it together, really. We're a good team. We're capable of great things. And I think Foodonate will only benefit from our teamwork. That is all the time I have today. Thank you all.”

              I waved at the audience and they stood and clapped. Somehow, that did not seem very important. My eyes met Liam's and he gave me a nod of approval. He knew that my words were not only regarding the business. He knew that I wanted to make things right between us.

Liam found me after the press release and pulled me into a warm, tight embrace. Despite all of the businessmen and businesswomen surrounding us, we wanted to show our affection for one another and nothing was going to stop us.

He pressed his lips to mine and, strangely, none of the onlookers seemed to care. They were more interested shaking hands and discussing the press release. It seemed funny how we had worked so hard to keep our forbidden romance a secret, only to discover that it was not as frowned upon as we had thought.

              “You did great out there,” he murmured against my lips.

              “Thank you. I meant every word, you know,” I said, softly.

              “You know those things I said—”

              “I know. You didn't mean them,” I interjected.

              He shook his head.

              “No, I need to explain,” he pressed.

“Ally, I was just scared. I was scared of what might happen if things didn't work out. I was scared of what might happen if people started talking and didn't think we were being transparent enough.

I was scared of what might happen if the company didn't take off. I was running from you because I was afraid of what might happen to my career and my money, but being without you the past week has just made me realize that those things don't matter. Luxuries are great, but I would rather spend the rest of my days living in a box and eating from a dumpster than live without you. I'm sorry that it took all of this for me to see that. I should have been better for you. You deserved better from me. I just—”

              “Shh,” I interjected, pressing my index finger to his lips. “Luckily you don't have to eat from a dumpster. Foodonate will feed you.”

              I chuckled and he smiled.

              “So you forgive me?” he asked.

              I chewed on my lip and narrowed my eyes.

              “There's just
one
more thing,” I murmured. “Can you say you love me yet?”

              He grinned and embraced me as tightly as he could.

              “Aaliyah Barr, if I said I have ever loved anything as much as I love you, I would be the biggest damn liar in the business world, and that's saying a lot,” he confessed.

              I pressed my lips to his for a long, passionate moment before pulling away and staring into his beautiful, cerulean eyes.

              “That's all I wanted to hear,” I said, softly.

              “Let's go home,” he replied. “
Our
home.”

              I smiled and laced his hand in mine.

              “Let's go home.

*****                                                                     

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