Scandalizing the CEO

Ainsley finally spoke to Edmond, Malcolm’s solicitor, and the man told her that Malcolm was too ill to be interviewed. Maurice was a little disappointed that they couldn’t get Malcolm, but the articles on the mothers were so interesting that he was happy with that.

“I need to do photo shoots with the men and their mums. But otherwise I think this is wrapped up,” she said to Maurice on the phone.

“I see you didn’t mention a relationship with Steven in the draft of the article I received.”

“We’re…this is difficult, Maurice, but I’m not sure we have a relationship.”

“Why not?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Everything in life is if you let it be. You found a way to get these articles done and kept from compromising your integrity. Why can’t you figure out how to keep your relationship with him?”

“How do you know it’s me?”

“I don’t,” Maurice said. “But you’ve been happier these last few weeks as we’ve secured the Devonshire women. I’d hate to see that end. Unless you were using him to get him to cooperate and then I might have to fire you.”

“Maurice, I would never do that. I love him, but I’m not sure he loves me. I’m afraid—”

“That’s all I needed to hear. I’m giving you to close of business today to resolve this issue.”

“It’s not an issue,” she said to her boss. “It’s my personal life and it’s not as easy to sort out as a magazine.”

“It’s easier. You just have to trust your heart.”

Maurice hung up and she wanted to scream. She was so afraid of letting Steven in, but she knew she had to do it; otherwise she would spend the rest of her life wondering what might have been.

Her phone rang.

“Ainsley Patterson.”

“It’s Freddie. Clear your calendar for this afternoon.”

“Why?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Freddie—”

“Don’t bother asking because I’m not saying a word,” he said.

“Fine. But I need to pick your brain about something.”

“Okay, I’ll be listening.”

Steven had planned for every detail; now he just needed her to show up. His hands were sweating as he waited for her. Then suddenly she appeared. She walked into the store the way she had that first time. She wore a figure-flattering Betsey Johnson dress and walked toward him.

She stopped as she saw him. And Steven knew it was time for him to do his part. He walked forward and drew her into his arms, kissing her deeply. She tentatively held his shoulders. He held her close to him because it had been too long since he’d held her. And he needed her.

He pulled away and looked down into those wide violet eyes and he felt his heart clench.

“I’m so sorry, Ainsley. I was afraid and I never wanted to feel the same vulnerability that I saw in your eyes. I love you so much and I hope that you still love me.”

He went down on one knee in front of her. “Please say that you haven’t given up on me and that you still love me.”

Tears made her beautiful eyes watery and she stood there looking down at him.

“Seriously? After all the tears I’ve cried, I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry over you again. But here I am.”

“Love,” he said, standing up. “I mean it. I’m not just spouting words. I love everything about you. Your curvy body, the way you smile at me in the morning. And I’m planning to spend the rest of our lives convincing you of that. I’d rather it be with you by my side but I’ll keep trying to convince you no matter how long it takes,” he said.

She took his hand, drew him to stand beside her, threw herself in his arms, wrapped her arms and legs around him and kissed him for all she was worth.

“I love you, Steven. I can’t live without you. I’m so glad you came to your senses.”

“Took me long enough,” he said.

“It felt like a damn lifetime,” she said.

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

“Yes, Steven, I will.”

He slipped the ring on her finger and knew he’d finally found the home he’d always been searching for in this sexy woman’s arms.

Epilogue

Ainsley and Steven spent the next few months living together and reassuring each other that they were meant to be together. When the articles ran in her magazine, she felt a sense of pride at the way the women came off. Malcolm Devonshire came off looking like a man who’d given up three successful women. And Ainsley felt sorry for Malcolm that he hadn’t realized what he was missing. The Fashion Quarterly articles on the Devonshire heirs and their mothers rocked the publishing world. Hearing the stories of the three women who’d given Malcolm Devonshire the publicity he’d needed to take the Everest Group to the next level had been publishing gold.