Built Strong (Middleton Hotels 3)

“Well, actually, Jake’s got a big mouth, but his isn’t the one I’m interested in.” I slammed my lips against hers, kissing her for the hundredth time since we met. I couldn’t believe that I’d gone from hello to madly in love with a beautiful stranger in less than a day, but that was the Middleton way.

Chapter 10

Julian

I stared at her through the crowded room. It was her first staff meeting at Middleton Corp. in our Dallas office. She sat at the end of the table and I was so proud of her. We were getting married tomorrow, but we wanted to introduce her to the staff before then. Since we never had our own in-house design team, she was going to lead the way.

“Welcome everyone,” I addressed the crowd. “Thank you all for coming today. We’ve decided that adding a new department to the Middleton Hotels would be a smart move. As many of you are aware, I will be getting married tomorrow to that beautiful woman over there. Please stand, Morgan.”

All eyes moved to her, and her face turned a sweet shade of pink. “I met that beauty while looking for an interior designer for our new hotels up in Reese. I fell for her on the spot and loved her designs, so why not snag both her and her work?” The room erupted in chuckles while Morgan rolled her eyes. “We will be hiring from within, if you wish to join her team, but it will be a small one. Applications and such will be available in two weeks when we return from our honeymoon.” I couldn’t stop smiling as I focused my eyes on her. She was standing proudly and with a level of sophistication that belied her age.

Joseph took over for me when I paused a bit too long. “Don’t mind him, he’s got the Middleton syndrome. I had that three months ago.”

“Had?” Rachael, his wife, asked with a scowl.

“I meant-”

“Uh-oh, someone’s in trouble,” Jacob teased. “So as they were saying, there will be some changes that will be miniscule in the long run, but we thought as you are all a part of the Middleton Hotels family that you should all be aware. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day and have a good one. You’re all free to go back to work.” They all started to get up when he added, “And as a gift to all of you, tomorrow the offices will be closed as we celebrate another wedding. Enjoy.” The crowd clapped and cheered, many stopping to welcome Morgan before walking out the door.

I approached her but waited until everyone left before pulling her into my arms. “Hi, beautiful,” I said. “You handled yourself very well. I know it’s a bit nerve wracking.”

“Thank you, I’m still shaking.” I grabbed her hands and they were a bit shaky still.

“You’ve got this,” Jake said.

“Thanks, Jacob,” she said, smiling at him. A twinge of jealousy hit me, but I knew better than that.

“You and the girls are doing the finishing touches for the wedding this afternoon. Will I get to see you before tomorrow?”

“Nope,” she replied, shaking her head.

“Then, boys, please excuse us. I need to have a private talk with our new hire,” I said with a wink.

She slapped my chest with a mock look of horror. “You perverted, old man. I’m going to report you to HR,” she teased.

“Let’s see if we can come to an agreement that keeps them out of this,” I whispered in her ear.

“I saw you have a very nice sofa in your office to discuss the matter on,” she whispered back, making me hard as fucking hell.

“Time to test the soundproofing in there,” I muttered to my brothers, who laughed their asses off because both of their wives had visited their offices several times before.

Chapter 11

Morgan

We were married at his parents’ estate with the help of his mother, Harley, Rachael, and Megan. Despite his threats to her, Megan was more than welcome in our world. He offered for her to join us at the company, but with the earnings from the deal with them she was able to hire more people and stay in Oregon. Her services would be needed in the area and something told me that there was more to her and Buddy than she was letting on. He also came to the wedding and his eyes were only trained to her. Everything was put together nicely with the colors I had always loved, a subtle silver and lavender spread around the tables. It was something you’d see in a bridal magazine, and photos were taken to illustrate Strong Designs’ talents.

I had to speak with my sister before Julian pulled me in for our first dance. She was talking to Joseph and Rachael when I walked up to her. I gave them all a smile. “Meg, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Sure.” I took her hand and led her into the pool house.

“What’s up?” she asked, but I didn’t speak. I hugged her close to me. I knew it wasn’t goodbye, but I was going to miss my best friend.

“I’m going to miss you, too, Morgan,” she chuckled.

“Thank you for everything. I’m so happy. I know that you had your reservations at the beginning, but I love him and know the man is a tad bit obsessed with me.”

“Ha. That’s putting it mildly. I’m sure he is on the hunt to find his missing bride,” she remarked, looking out the side window. “Yep, there he is, looking like a mad man. It’s cute.”