Chapter 16

"C ome on baby," Rafe sighs as I hesitate on opening the car door.

It's been two weeks since our vacation, but I haven't let him tell anyone here that we're engaged. I was going to but every day that's passed by since then has simply made it that much more difficult to breathe.

I'm not scared of marrying Rafe. He is my Mr. Right and Maggie is my heart, but they've yet to find Harrison's body and admitting to the public that we're engaged is making me worry that the happiness I won't be able to contain will burst and I'll be left with nothing but whispers behind my back when it ends.

"Rafe…"

"No Ame, everyone here knows I adore you. They're speculating that we're together, completely together and I want to tell the world that we're getting married. I want you to stop wearing this ring," he says grasping my hand gently showing me my great-grandmother's ring, "and start wearing mine. You've never said a word about your relationship status, never said you were married or engaged so who cares what they'll think? I want my ring to be here every minute of the day."

"You know why I haven't brought us out yet. They haven't found his body…"

"And you think that it means what? That the second we announce our engagement he'll pop up in the shadows and try to destroy our happiness?" he asks, and a part of me still hates that he can read me so well.

"I'm scared Rafe," I admit as tears hit.

"I know you are baby," he says gently, cupping my face to wipe them away from the edges of my eyes. "I'm terrified that I'm going to lose you because he's still out there…but he's not. He can't be Ame."

"Then why haven't they found his body yet? They've been searching the river for weeks and they've come up empty."

"And what, baby? Because there's no body you're going to make us both miserable? What if they never find it Ame? Are we going to play this ‘we're not really together' game for the rest of our lives on the less than one percent chance he's still out there?"

"No, I just…"

"You're scared, I know, but us announcing our engagement isn't going to make the other shoe fall. You have to stop thinking like that baby. Please, for us, for Maggie, for our future together, walk into the building with me, your hand in mine, my ring on your finger," he says so gently, so sweetly, that I can't say no.

I slip my great-grandmother's ring off my finger and unclip the necklace where his rests, putting it on as I stare down into the beautiful diamond. The ring was huge, but yet, it was exactly right somehow. The cut and clarity of the stones were the highest grade possible and the total karat of it I didn't even know, but Rafe made it clear that it was more than a status symbol when he'd given it to me. He related each of the stones surrounding the center diamond to something about us, something about me that he loved, and the center stone was the infinite possibilities that our future held. I cried when he slid it onto my finger the first time and every time I remember what he said I tear up again. He's simply perfect and that also scares me. Nothing in this world is perfect but to me—for me—he is.

He came around to open the door for me, and I set my hand in his, letting him help me out of it, before we headed towards the back entrance for the building. On a normal day, we would come out into the lobby then take the elevator up to the top floor, but it wasn't as though we'd be hidden from everyone. The door opened into the middle of the lobby, and everyone was making their way into the office for the company meeting Rafe called regarding the latest news about Lemans and Diamonds.

I felt his hand tighten around mine just the slightest bit more when I paused momentarily seeing the heads turn towards us and stare. I took a deep breath and slid my chin up just the tiniest bit more as I stepped closer to Rafe letting us move through the lobby towards the main conference room. The rest of the executive board was already in it, and I saw the way they looked at us. As though all of their suspicions had finally been confirmed, and it hit me that I really didn't care what any of them thought.

Yet again, it'd never been about them, it'd always been about me, and my fear of my heart breaking if I gave into what was between us. Except with Rafe, if anything happened, it'd be well known around here and I couldn't have handled that.

"Everything okay?" Rafe asks quietly beside my ear as he leaned down a bit and I nod. "Really? You're not about to go running from the room or hyperventilate on me here?"

"No, I love you Rafe. All of the fears and worries…"

"They were all because of Chad and not understanding how or why he did what he did?" he guesses, and I nod again. "So if I were to kiss you right now…"

I didn't bother responding with words as I lifted my chin and settled my lips on his, loving the feeling of him against me. He slid a hand around my waist and deepened the kiss until I no longer wanted to be at work, but at home with him. That was when I knew we needed to end it and I reluctantly pulled back opening my eyes to find the same feelings reflected back from his, along with the happiness that I'd let go and did it.

"I love you, baby," he says softly brushing the hair back behind my ear and I smile knowing how much he really did.

"I love you too Rafe," I reply as we took a step apart.

That's when I realized that the entire room had gone quiet, and all eyes were on us.

Rafe noticed it too and wrapped his hand around mine, as though he were afraid, I'd take off because of it, but I wasn't going to, not after everything it'd taken to get us to where we were. He walked towards the center of the room, where the podium was set up at and I had no idea what he was about to do or say.

"Good morning everyone, it looks like we're all here so let's get right to it, but first…for those of you who aren't aware who the woman beside me is, I'd like to formally introduce you to Amelia Thorpe. She's the reason why we are the owners of not only Lemans but as of seven o'clock this morning every single one of Diamonds' subsidiaries."

That brought a slight tinge to my cheeks because it's not true, well not entirely true. Sure, I gave them the opening for Lemans but that's it.

"But that's not the only reason she's standing beside me this morning," Rafe continues after a bit of cheers and applause, the loudest from the staff who'd worked on the buyout that were all relieved it was finally done. "Far more important to me than simply taking over Diamonds is the next announcement; Amelia and I are engaged."

I knew it was bound to come out, but I hadn't expected him to do it so bluntly and it brought second and third looks from the room my way. Part of me still worried that they'd hold resentment or something similar but instead they were simply reassessing me and most of them seemed far more understanding than anything else.

"We will be holding a company picnic this summer for our work family and their families to enjoy the rewards of all your hard work to make this happen, and we hope to see all of you there. It will be the first time we'll be able to attend as a family and will be shortly after we return from our honeymoon," Rafe adds, and I smile more because the fact that Rafe wants us to go on a two-week honeymoon with Maggie was incredible. He'd promised that it would be everything I ever dreamt of or wanted, and I fully believe him because I know he'll never stop trying to make me happy.

I can't say that's a bad thing though and with everything I've put him through with my fears, I'll never take it for granted. I'm just glad that he forgave me for trying to push him away after what Harrison tried to make me believe.

I'm really glad that he forgave me for worrying Maggie. I hate that I hurt her in any of this. She doesn't completely understand what went on, but she knows I wasn't trying to be mean. That I'd honestly thought they would be better without me in their lives.

It's clear that's not the case and as the weeks slip by, I do my best to focus on work and the wedding, rather than the fact that Harrison's body still hasn't been found.

One of the biggest decisions we needed to make was whether to have the wedding in New York or back in Missouri. I was torn because honestly, I kind of wanted both. Rafe knew it and so we're having an engagement party in New York while the actual wedding itself will be at one of the amazing wineries not too far from my hometown.

The crowd at the engagement party draws some curious glances because I invited a few of the girls from the club as well as Vivian and Maura. They don't fit in with the crowd from the office and especially not with some of the mothers from Maggie's school that I've gotten to know. All three groups make up who I am though, and Rafe certainly didn't begin to argue inviting any of them.

"So you're the one that stole my best girl," Maura says when I introduce Rafe to her and Vivian, giving me a wink as he clears his throat a bit. "You better take care of her because if not, we'll come find you."

"Terrifying prospect isn't it, babe?" I tease as he pulls me closer. "I can just see you running for your life as a handful of waitresses and dancers chase after you."

"Horrendous idea for certain," he agrees, dropping a kiss onto my lips that makes me smile from deep within as his friend and soon-to-be best man Preston arrives.

"Amelia, you look gorgeous as ever," Preston says pulling a dark look from Rafe I love. "Still rabid when it comes to other men paying you attention is he?"

"Yup," I muse as he turns towards Maura and Vivian, and his brow lifts in surprise.

"Hello stranger," Vivian states, and I hold back a grin as the tips of Preston's ears turn red. "Did you move back to town?"

"No, just here for Rafe's engagement party. I'm best man," Preston replies, and my eyes bounce between them as Rafe's brow lifts a hint towards his friend.

"You all know each other?" I ask him then the women who both glance his way waiting for him to answer. "Open or member?" I add towards Preston, and Rafe lets out a little snort when his ears redden further while his brow lifts curiously at me. "I can't wait to tell Sam about this one when we get to St. Louis."

"Tell her about what, baby?" Rafe asks, his eyes confused for once making me laugh.

"That she better warn the girls to steer clear of the best man or he might not want to leave town," I muse pulling a deep chuckle from him that makes Preston look between us in surprise. We met at Christmas when he was in town to see family, but Rafe never mentioned my old job.

"True, but at least you don't have to worry if he tries to drag me out to a strip club that I'll do something stupid," Rafe muses and I reach up, giving him a soft kiss.

"Not when I already took you to one," I state, and I honestly wish someone had gotten a photo of Preston's face hearing that tidbit.

"One of the best pizzas I've had for certain, although I much preferred watching you sashay around the floor in that tight little skirt than any of the show on the stage."

"I'm sorry…what?" Preston says, his brow nearly meeting his hairline and I take pity on him, giving him a teeny abbreviated version of my prior job. "You worked…you're marrying…"

"A former waitress, yes, and you wouldn't ever have guessed it if it weren't for your apparent patronage of a certain club here in town," Rafe states, his tone daring his friend to say anything negative against it.

"Hey, no shame coming from me, man. I just never though you'd manage to land a girl who was far more openminded than you are about the places," Preston returns, and I snuggle into Rafe's hold, enjoying the dark look he shot his friend.

"Amelia's unique, she's wrapped in layers, and I adore each one, especially that she always stuck to her morals and only ever waitressed, but she also never looked down on the girls that needed to or wanted to dance. She's special and I thankfully found her before anyone else did."

"No one else ever stuck around long enough to get through all those layers," I muse smiling up at him. "They'd have let me keep on running."

"That's because they never loved you the way you deserve to be loved, Ame. One look at you and all I wanted was to lay you out on the conference room table and make you mine."

"Not all, you wanted Lemans as well, didn't you? And to know whether the ring I wore was an engagement or wedding ring," I return making Preston chuckle at the way Rafe's mouth twitched.

"Minx," he whispers before giving me a long, slow kiss that brought about a lot of ribbing from our guests, but I don't mind in the least.

The party is amazing, and I can't stop smiling when we get home, finding Maggie asleep already. Lorie brought her to the party for the dinner and then brought her home for bed so she wouldn't be overtired for the weekend. We're doing our final fits for our dresses tomorrow, the wedding's only two weeks away, and I want everything to go perfectly for it. He only gave me two months to plan it, but thanks to money, everyone was available when needed.

Rafe pulls me back into his arms when I come out of the bedroom wearing a little babydoll nightie I got at one of my bridal showers. The girls from the club in St. Louis threw me one when we were out there two weeks ago to check on Lemans, while the ladies in the office here threw me one last week.

It's a soft pink that makes my blue eyes pop and I feel amazing in it. I think one of the ladies at the office gave me it, but I'd have to check the list that was made to be sure. I suppose I've been in a pink mood lately because the dress for the party was also pink, well a rose gold shimmer that I loved as well. Maggie's dress tonight was also pink, and our dresses for the wedding have pops of it in them.

"You look gorgeous, baby," Rafe whispers into my ear and I brush my hips back and forth against his body, making his hard length grow harder.

"Thank you," I state as he lets out a low moan, pulling me tighter against him. "You know, it's a shame you refuse to go to the club for your bachelor party, babe. Several of the girls would love to give you a dance."

"Only dance I'd ever take would be from you, baby, and since you don't dance, it looks like it'll never happen," he says and a smile crosses my face as I turn in his hold, pushing him down on the edge of the bed. I take a step back from him when he reaches for me and shoot him a smile, making his brow lift.

"I never said I wouldn't dance just for you," I tease, turning on the radio as his eyes flare with heat. "I might not have ever been on stage, but that doesn't mean I never watched and never danced around with the girls afterhours."

"Ame…" he groans, reaching for me again, but I just give him a grin as I slip the shoulder strap down one arm, letting the top pillow a bit, nearly revealing my breast to his gaze as my hips move to the beat of the music.

I keep going until the nightie pools on the floor, the matching little panties the only thing covering my bottom half and I turn, slipping onto Rafe's lap, hiding my breasts from him while rolling my ass over his hard length. With each brush of my ass against his cock, his breathing tightens, until his hands grab hold of my hips, pulling me entirely onto his lap.

One hand slips up to tease my hard nipples tighter, while the other comes down, covering my pussy. A moan falls from my throat, and I lean back into his body teasing him, "This would get you thrown out by security you know."

"They could try, but I'd fight them all off while burying myself inside you like this," he counters, pulling a soft shout from me as he lifts me just enough for his cock to find my lips, and with a quick thrust, he fills me full, bringing the tiniest orgasm to me already. "I'd have to kill anyone that saw you like this. They'd be dead on the floor while I pounded into you and when the police came to try and take me from you, saw you coming for me, they'd have to join them. Which would make me a fugitive on the run with you because I'd never survive without being inside you again. Which would leave Maggie without either of us. Which means you can never even begin to think of dancing in a club for even me, baby."

"Rafe!" I scream, his words and the quick, hard thrusts of his hips, sending me over into a full heavy rush of bliss.

A small cry slipped out when he pulled out of me, but it quickly faded when he laid me out on the bed, getting rid of his boxers and my panties, before filling me once more.

"I love you, baby," he groans into my ear as his body begins to pulse inside mine, and my arms wrap around his neck, lifting my body up against his trying to hold onto all of it.

"I love you, Rafe, always," I cry into his mouth, letting him steal some of my breath for himself as he pushes me right over the edge into heaven with him.