Page 129 of Wicked Dares
He grins wide. “I like that, Butterfly.”
He leans forward, and our lips meet for a different sort of kiss.
It’s the kiss of all kisses. The kind that says there’s more.
So much more.
No more counting down. No more contract.
No more end dates.
This is just the beginning.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
LEVI
Arthur sits across from me in one of the leather chairs in my office, slowly flipping through the final copy of the contract.
Behind him, the Manhattan skyline glows through the floor-to-ceiling windows settling into the background with the fading sun.
A few weeks ago, this meeting would’ve had me on edge.
Back then, every conversation with Arthur felt like walking through a minefield. One wrong answer, and he would’ve pulled the deal entirely.
Now?
God.
The tension in the room feels different.
It’s more like the kind where you’ve come to the end of a journey and you don’t want to say goodbye.
I can’t even believe I’m thinking that. But somewhere between his charity events and the long conversations on our vineyard walks, we stopped being businessman and client and became something closer to friends.
So much has happened over the last few weeks. So many changes between him and me.
And with Piper.
The thought of her makes me smile. We’ve been back for a few days, but I keep hearing her telling me she loves me. Every time I remember, it’s as fresh as if she’s standing before me.
I feel like a man who was handed the very best prize.
And the butterfly is flying to England with me.
Arthur adjusts his glasses and studies the final page of the document carefully before reaching for the pen beside him.
I still hold my breath anyway. Old habits die hard.
I’m so used to him switching gears when I least expect, I don’t think I can be too careful.
He flips the pages until he reaches the first signature box. It’s not until the sound of his heavy scrawl scratches across the paper fills my ears that I exhale.
Christ Almighty, he’s actually signing the contract. The long wait is finally over.
He signs the other pages, then closes the folder and slides the signed contract across the desk toward me.
The moment the edge touches my finger, Arthur leans back in his chair, exhales, and smiles.
