Heaven

I'VE NEVER BEEN THE type to take long showers, but I find myself doing exactly that in a shameful attempt to delay the inevitable.

Everything that made so much sense last night when it was just the two of us now seems completely crazy.

Are we really getting married, just like that?

I wish I had the courage to say 'no', but...my shame only deepens when I realize I'm scared that he'll change his mind if I do.

Oh, Father in , what do You want me to do?

That Hale is His choice, I'm still absolutely sure of.

But whether marrying now is also His perfect timing?

The answer to this continues to elude me even when I'm already done changing.

I have an overnight bag pre-packed in my locker just for emergencies. But what I never imagined was how I might one day need an extra set of clothes...because my boss has made me cum one too many times.

Eep!

That's the dirtiest thought I've ever had in my life, and my face is still flaming as I finally step out of Hale's en-suite.

"Just in time."

My cheeks turn a deeper shade of red at the mere sound of his voice, and Hale frowns when our gazes meet. "Everything okay?"

"Yup!"

I would rather have all of my teeth pulled than tell him the truth.

"You're sure?"

A distraction is definitely called for, but what?

I glance back at Hale absently, and that's when I notice how he's standing right in front of the balcony doors of his office.

Huh.

I find myself standing on my toes even when I don't really expect to find anything over his shoulder—- oh!

"Surprise," he says mockingly before taking a step back, and I finally have my first full glimpse of the lavish breakfast arrangement outside his balcony.

"Oh, Hale."

"There you go again, pretending to sound like you're younger."

He offers his hand as he speaks, and I can't help but laugh as I place my hand in his.

But when he cups my face, my smile fades at the brooding expression of his gorgeous face.

"I know I haven't done anything to earn your trust..."

He lifts my knuckles to his lips, and my knees knock against each other.

"But I want you to know it's all going to change starting today."

"Oh, Hale."

I start to tell him he doesn't have to feel like he needs to make up for anything, but...

Oh my goodness!

Is that Mabel's cotton candy pancake I'm seeing behind him?

I don't even realize I've accidentally pushed past Hale until I hear him grunt behind me.

Oops.

I whirl around and smile weakly at him in apology. "I'm sorry, I just..."

"Have a hard time taking your eyes off the pancakes?"

"Uh..." I want to prove him wrong, but...it's impossible.

My eyes are still glued to the fluffy layers of pancake, which happen to be topped with autumn-colored cotton candy and sprinkled with edible gold dust. The logistics of having this particular dish included in our breakfast menu are beyond me, and I turn to him in a daze.

"How?"

These pancakes are no ordinary concoction. They're highly in demand not just because they're served fresh but also because they're personally baked by Mabel, a blind eighteen-year-old chef who—-

Hale slowly shakes his head. "I seem to recall it was only minutes ago that I warned you not to ask any questions, Ms. Gaines."

Oh.

Right.

Oops.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Hale."

My boss-slash-fiancé crosses his arms against his chest, and I do my best not to swoon at the way the rolled-up sleeves of his shirt strain and stretch against the bulge of his muscles.

"I'm afraid an apology won't cut it," he says silkily. "If you do not wish to be terminated for repeated offenses—-"

"But—-"

"You'll need to show proper repentance by doing exactly what I say."

"Uh..."

He walks past me and takes one of the seats. His gaze locks with mine, and then he crooks his finger at me.

Okaaay.

I move forward until I'm standing in front of him.

He pats his lap, and my breath catches.

"I'm waiting, Ms. Gaines."

I sit down on his lap—-

Aaaah!

How in the world did I end up stretched over his knees like a child about to be—-

SPANK!

I can't believe he's spanked me—-

AGAIN!

Is he for real? Did he really just—-

SPANK!

Oh, he just did!

He's spanked me three times in a row, and I can't recall the last time my bottom ever felt on fire like this! He didn't even hold back at all, and—-

Aaah!

I don't even have the chance to demand that he stop because he already has, with his hands grasping my waist as he swings me back up in a sitting position.

I don't even know if I feel indignant or amused.

I simply can't believe that really happened.

"?"

Indignant or amused? He loves me, he loves me not? I hate him, I hate him not?

I take a deep breath.

Indignant, I decide.

But when I finally turn my gaze to his—-

Oh.

It's that moment I see the heart-shaped engagement ring he's holding out in his hand.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive—-"

"You're so unfair," I cry out.

"By marrying me?"

"I'm supposed to get mad at you—-"

Hale laughs.

"But yes, oh yes, I'll marry you."

I'm still sniffing back tears when we finally leave his office hand in hand, but I end up blushing as well when I remember too late we no longer have the Sanctuary to ourselves.

Oh!

I would've stumbled and froze as I found myself face-to-face with my colleagues, but with Hale only curving an arm around my waist to pull me close, I don't even have a chance to explain or say hi.

He has us walking past them like his entire workforce isn't aware that he's hated me four years, and...is it just my imagination or did their faces really lose color upon seeing me?

I look at Hale uneasily as soon as the elevator doors close, and it's just the two of us again.

"Did you say anything to them?"

Hale checks his watch. "It probably went out a few minutes ago."

"What did?"

"A company-wide memo from the chairman of the board—-"

"Which is you ," I point out.

"—-to serve as our official announcement of our engagement."

I can only laugh. Most couples either have their engagement notice posted in the papers or at least make it Instagram-official. But it's just so like Hale to inform everyone through company channels instead, and I honestly wouldn't want him any other way.

Hale's chopper is already running when we get to the helipad, and the pilot takes his lovely cap off in greeting as we approach him.

Hale helps me to my seat, but I end up looking at him in alarm when he doesn't join me on board.

"Give me ten minutes," he says. "I forgot something in my office."

I nod and think nothing about this.

Except...the minutes eventually turn into an hour, and I start feeling something's terribly wrong.

What's happening, God?

And almost on cue, the pilot switches the engine off before turning to me.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Gaines."

Why did he bother turning if he didn't care to meet my gaze?

"But I'll need you to get off the chopper and take you to H.R.."

What for?

"Could you tell me—-"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Gaines."

I don't understand, God.

The pilot gets off the chopper and offers his hand to help me out, but I find myself shaking my head in refusal.

"Ms. Gaines—-"

"Just tell me what's happening," I say unevenly. "I promise I won't cause any trouble. I just need you to tell me—-"

"If it means anything—-I'm sorry. But I'm only doing what I've been ordered to do."

My stomach starts churning. "W-Whose orders?" I see him hesitate, and I feel like throwing up.

"Please, sir."

The pilot is still unable to meet my gaze as he finally gives me the answer I dread.

"The boss. I'm just doing what Mr. Hale ordered me to do."