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  ass isn’t wearing a T-shirt, especially one from Triple D, unless it’s laundry day.”

  “I happen to like T-shirts,” Evan scoffs. “I make all my employees wear them.”

  “Whatever, Evan. Let’s do this.” Evie steps to my side, wrapping her arm around my back with her love and support. I wouldn’t be the man I have become without her love.

  Jason and Cameron, along with Evan, stand at our side as we move toward the podium. Cameron’s waving to a woman in the crowd, and she waves back with enthusiasm. It’s not the first time I’ve seen her around, and even though I won’t say it aloud, I think he’s in love. Poor bastard. He has no idea what’s in store for him, and I can’t wait to say, “I told you so.”

  As I look out at the crowd, I take stock of all that I have and have accomplished. A year ago, I thought I had everything, but I was missing the most important thing in life. Someone who loves me just as much as I love her.

  A man without love, even with all the money in the world, is a man with nothing.

  Epilogue

  Evan

  “Just put it in your mouth.”

  Kurt scrunches up his beautiful face in disgust. “I don’t want to,” he says through clenched teeth.

  “But it’s so silky and delicious.” I inch it toward his mouth, trying to tempt him. “And sweet.”

  “Evan.” Kurt pushes my hand away softly. “I can’t do it.” He shakes his head, but I don’t give up.

  “Come on. You have to do what I say.”

  Kurt’s eyes narrow as he crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Why?”

  “Because it’s Christmas and I said so.”

  Kurt and I have officially been a couple for a few months now, but getting to this point hasn’t been easy. I never thought I’d fall in love with anyone, especially a man who doesn’t like desserts and sweets. I’ve been able to look past his aversion to anything sweet because the man has a mouth like a Hoover vacuum.

  Kurt laughs softly, but he shakes his head again. “I’m very careful about what I put in my mouth.”

  I place my hand on his knee and give it a light squeeze. “Sweetie, you had no problem sticking my cock in your mouth on our first date.”

  He places his hand over mine and smiles. “Sweetie,” he repeats, teasing me like he often does. “I wanted to put your cock in my mouth, but this…”

  “Pretend it’s my dick. It’s just as sweet. I swear.” I inch the red velvet cupcake toward his mouth, but he sets his lips in a firm line like a little kid trying to avoid eating their vegetables.

  “What if I smeared it on my cock? Would you eat it then?” He doesn’t seem amused, so I do the only thing I can think of. I stand quickly and set the plate on the couch. I’m halfway through unzipping my pants and am about to drop them to the floor when there’s a knock.

  “I’m saved,” Kurt says, rising from the couch quickly and running toward the door like I’ve had him trapped in a prison.

  “Fuck,” I groan and refasten my pants.

  Evie, Jack, and Adeline have the world’s worst timing. They’re five minutes early, in fact. But it’s Christmas, and I can’t be upset with them. Kurt has been planning this day since Thanksgiving. The man, even with his aversion to sweets, loves Christmas and has fallen just as in love with my friends as he has with me.

  “Merry Christmas,” Jack and Evie exclaim as Kurt opens the door, and thankfully, I don’t have my cock hanging out.

  Adeline screeches and leaps into Kurt’s arms because she’s madly in love with him. She’s just a little thing, not quite a year, but she has her first little crush. It doesn’t hurt that he sneaks her all of the sweets he doesn’t want to eat. No one else is willing to share their dessert, but Kurt lavishes them on her along with a million kisses.

  Kurt hugs them, holding Adeline in one arm as she latches on to his neck like a little monkey. “Merry Christmas,” he says.

  I walk toward them and hold my arms out because I’m feeling a little left out. Evie is absolutely radiant like she’s always been since the day I met her, but it’s even more pronounced since she finally opened her heart to Jack.

  I figured she and I would be alone, growing old together with a gaggle of cats and dogs to keep us company. I knew she’d never love anyone besides Jack, and I never thought she’d let her guard down enough to allow him back into her life.

  “My girl, Merry Christmas.” I squeeze Evie tightly, missing her something fierce.

  “You’re looking good, handsome,” she whispers in my ear as Jack stands behind her.

  I release Evie and reach for Jack. “Come here, you big hunk of man.”

  He laughs, used to my humor, and hugs me back. Evie’s a lucky little bitch. “Merry Christmas, Evan.” He slaps my back when I don’t let go because I’m enjoying the feel of him.

  “You can let him go now,” Kurt says, looming over me.

  “Bet he’d put it in his mouth if I asked,” I reply as I let go of Jack.

  “Um.” Jack’s gaze sweeps between Kurt and me. “I don’t want to know.”

  Evie laughs and smacks Jack’s shoulder as she stares at me. “Are you still trying to get him to eat your cupcakes?”

  “Thank God,” Jack mutters and drags his hand down the side of his face.

  “Who wants presents?” Kurt asks, changing the subject.

  Adeline bounces in Kurt’s arms. Even at her young age, she knows the word because we’ve showered her with presents since the day she was born.

  As we sit on the couch, I can’t help but glance around and feel a sense of completeness.

  A few years ago, I never imagined this would be my life. Ridge Hollow has become my home, and Kurt, Jack, and Adeline have made Evie and me complete. We are a unit…all five, soon to be six, of us.

  No longer is it Evie and me against the world. We are officially a family.

  The End…

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  ACQUISITION READ NOW

  I look over her shoulder as I take the aspirin from her palm, but I can’t get a clear view of the reception area. “How are the Cozza people doing?”

  She smiles, watching me swallow the pills before taking the glass back from me. “Annoyed.”

  I laugh.

  Perfect.

  “One guy is pacing around like a rabid animal.” She giggles softly, covering her mouth to stop the sound from reaching their ears.

  “Even better.” I grin.

  As I walk toward the reception area with Cassie on my heels, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. I know I can handle Cozza, and with the backing of the board and shareholders, there’s no way they’ll be successful in their takeover bid.

  Four men are sitting, and the one that Cassie described as “rabid” still paces but his back is to me. “Gentlemen.” I keep my face devoid of emotion.

  Even though this feels personal, I know it isn’t. They may have been trying to take Interstellar, but it isn’t mine. Either way, I’ll do anything I can to stop them.

  The pacer stops, turning to face me as the other men stand.

  Standing before me in a perfectly pressed black suit with dark gray pinstripes, a crisp white dress shirt, and a silky red tie is none other than the smooth-talking, panty-dropping charmer from last night.

  Lou.

  The Lou who was between my legs less than ten hours ago, giving me more orgas
ms than I’ve had in years.

  I gape, unable to hide my shock.

  What the hell? Nothing makes sense.

  His face matches mine, confusion in his eyes as he takes in the sight of me. “Elizabeth?”

  His head tilts, his hair flopping a bit in the most delicious way, before he takes a step forward in impeccable black leather shoes.

  I snap my mouth shut. “Lou?”

  What’s he doing here? Oh God. This can’t be happening.

  “Who?” Cassie whispers at my side. “That’s Mr. Forte. His name isn’t Lou. It’s Antonio.” She points at him, but it still hasn’t clicked.

  The people in the waiting room are gawking at us.

  I blink twice, wondering if he is a mirage. There’s no denying that the man standing in front of me is the same man I had sex with more than once last night. We stare at each other, both considering the ramifications of the situation.

  Oh, shit.

  I lied about my name, but I never imagined he could be the enemy. Why in the world would he lie about his name?

  My palms begin to sweat, and my heart starts to pick up speed as the reality of the situation hits me. Maybe he played me. I was just another pawn in the Cozza game. I rarely believe anything is coincidence.

  I take a step forward, my eyes narrowing at him. “Did you know?”

  He shakes his head and gawks at me. “No.”

  A gentleman coughs and steps in front of Mr. Forte. “I don’t know what’s going on here, Ms. Bradley, but we’re here to discuss the future of Cozza and Interstellar. I’m Mr. Alesci, the president of Cozza’s legal division.” He holds out his hand, but I don’t meet his eyes as I shake. I’m unable to take mine off Antonio.

  I’m still in a trance, maybe in shock, about the entire Lou situation. I shake Mr. Alesci’s hand and keep my eyes pinned to Mr. Forte. “Excuse me,” I say, glancing at Mr. Alesci for a moment before bringing my eyes back to the sky-blue ones boring into me. “Mr. Forte, may I speak to you in private please?”

  “I don’t think—” Mr. Alesci starts to say before Mr. Forte places his hand on his shoulder and gives it a rough squeeze.

  “Yes, Ms. Bradley.” Mr. Alesci glares at Antonio but is quickly dismissed. “We’ll be fine, Jim.”

  Turning my back to him, I let every facial expression I wanted to make before break loose. What in the fuck just happened? How in the world could this be happening to me? What are the odds of the one person I sleep with in longer than I’d like to admit would actually be the one person I’m supposed to hate the most?

  There’s a real possibility that he played me. It’s entirely possible that he knew exactly who I was when he sidled up next to me at the bar. Just because I didn’t know who he was doesn’t mean he didn’t know who I was last night.

  Antonio follows closely as we walk into my office. Using one hand, I close the door quietly, trying to avoid any more suspicion. “You knew who I was, didn’t you?” My nostrils flare, and I know I’m the one who looks like a rabid animal now.

  “I didn’t.” He takes a step toward me.

  I hold up my hand, stopping him. If he comes any closer, I’ll likely have a meltdown. “Stop.”

  “I swear I didn’t know!”

  The long night hasn’t made him look any worse for wear. He looks more handsome than he did last night, while I, on the other hand, am not at my best. I cross my arms over my chest and stare him down. “How could you?”

  “I didn’t know. I swear. Why did you lie about your name?”

  My teeth are clenched so tightly that they scrape against each other, making a horrible noise and making my headache worse. “Why did you lie about yours?”

  He lets out a loud sigh and moves toward me, but I take a step back and bump into the door. He runs his fingers through his perfectly styled hair and inhales. “I don’t need someone looking me up online and thinking they hit the jackpot. I never give my real name to anyone unless I know them well.”

  Unconsciously, my head tilts and my eyes narrow. “So, every woman you’ve slept with thinks you’re Lou?”

  “No.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Some think I’m Fabio, Angelo, Salvatore, Giovanni—” he says with a small laugh.

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