Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

B rianne sank into the plush comfort of Reid's bed, her body still thrumming from their lovemaking. She caressed the mating marks he'd left on her hips with his claws. Her man was an animal. And the fact that turned her on wasn't even a concern.

The scent of perfectly grilled steak wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp aroma of fresh salad. As she watched him move around the room, setting out the large food tray in the middle of the bed, Brianne marveled at how quickly her life had changed.

"You know," she said, accepting the plate Reid offered her, "a few weeks ago, I would've laughed if someone told me I'd be sitting here eating steak after taking down a gang of tech-savvy thieves."

Reid chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest as he settled beside her. "And I would've scoffed at the idea of falling head over heels for a brilliant, stubborn game developer who can out-hack a room full of criminals."

Love spread through her at his words. She took a bite of the steak, savoring the rich flavor. "Mmm, okay, I might have to keep you around just for your cooking skills," she teased.

"Is that all I'm good for?" Reid arched an eyebrow, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Well, you're really soft on the eyes," Brianne answered, earning herself a playful growl from Reid. "And addictive, if I'm honest. Like a drug. I can't get enough of you."

"Hmm, I like the sound of that. Addictive."

"You're insufferable."

"I thought I was unbearable?"

She giggled and shook her head. "You are!"

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily between them, recounting the events that had led them to this moment. Brianne found herself marveling at the unlikely partnership they'd formed and how seamlessly they'd come to work together.

"You know," she said, setting her empty plate aside, "I still can't quite believe how well we worked together back there. I mean, when I first met you, I thought you were the stuffy, overly serious CEO type."

Reid feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "Stuffy? Me? I'll have you know I'm the life of every board meeting."

Brianne snorted, nearly choking on her water. "Oh, I'm sure. I bet you have them rolling in the aisles with your quarterly reports."

"You'd be surprised." Reid grinned, setting his own plate aside and pulling Brianne closer. "But seriously, I never expected to find someone who could match me step for step, challenge for challenge. You're incredible, Brianne."

The sincerity in his voice made her heart overflow with love. She looked up at him, taking in the warmth in his dark eyes, the strong line of his jaw. "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Parker. I mean, not everyone can pull off the whole ‘turning into a massive bear' thing with such panache."

Reid laughed, the sound reverberating through his chest and into Brianne. "Panache, huh? I'll take it."

As their laughter subsided, a comfortable silence fell between them. Brianne found herself tracing idle patterns on Reid's arm, marveling at the strength coiled beneath his skin. She thought about everything they'd been through, the dangers they'd faced and the bond they'd forged.

"Reid," she said softly, her voice suddenly serious. "I love you. I can't imagine my life without you in it."

"I absolutely love you with everything in me," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "I love you so much, Brianne. More than I ever thought possible."

Before Brianne could respond, Reid unfolded a napkin, revealing a stunning oval diamond ring flanked by sapphires that matched the blue of her eyes.

"I had this whole speech planned," Reid said, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "About how you've turned my world upside down in the best possible way, how you challenge me and inspire me every day. But the truth is, I know with every fiber of my being that you're the only woman for me. My mate, my partner, my love." He took a deep breath, holding up the ring. "Will you marry me?"

Tears pricked her eyes, her heart so full, she thought it might burst. "Yes," she whispered, then louder, "Yes! Of course, yes!"

Reid slipped the ring onto her finger, and Brianne marveled at how right it felt. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss that was equal parts passion and promise.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless and grinning, Brianne couldn't help but laugh. "You know, I think our mothers are going to be insufferably smug about this."

Reid groaned good-naturedly. "Oh god, you're right. We'll never hear the end of it."

"Speaking of which," Brianne said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "we should probably start planning our defense for the video game conference next month. I have a feeling we're going to be bombarded with questions about our ‘whirlwind romance.'"

Reid's eyes widened comically. "We still have some time. Are you ready for your big moment, future Mrs. Parker?"

Brianne felt a thrill run through her at the name. "As ready as I'll ever be. Though I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. What if they hate the game?"

Reid pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "They're going to love it because it's brilliant. Just like you."

Exactly four weeks later, they were at the conference center, surrounded by the buzz of excitement that only a major game release could generate. Brianne smoothed down her dress for the hundredth time, fidgeting with her new ring.

"Relax," Reid murmured, his hand a comforting presence on the small of her back. "You've got this."

Brianne took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. "You're right. I've got this. It's just another game, right?"

Reid chuckled. "Just another game that you poured your heart and soul into, fought off a gang of thieves to protect, and is about to revolutionize the industry. No big deal."

Brianne swatted his arm playfully. "You're not helping, you UnbearableBeast."

As they made their way through the crowd, Brianne couldn't help but notice the stares and whispers that followed them. News of their engagement had spread like wildfire, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already highly anticipated game release.

"Ms. Ellis!" a reporter called out, thrusting a microphone in her face. "Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Shadow Realms ?"

Brianne smiled, falling easily into her professional persona. "It's actually Mrs. Parker now. And Shadow Realms is all about pushing boundaries and exploring the unknown. In many ways, it's a reflection of my own journey these past few months."

"And what about your whirlwind romance with Reid Parker?" another reporter chimed in. "How has that influenced your work?"

Brianne felt Reid tense beside her, but she squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Reid has been an incredible support throughout this process. His strength and determination have inspired me to push myself even further in my work."

As they continued to field questions, Brianne marveled at how natural it felt to have Reid by her side. He was a steady presence, offering support without overshadowing her moment.

Finally, it was time for the main event. Brianne took her place on the stage, looking out over the sea of eager faces. She caught sight of Reid at the back of the room, his encouraging smile giving her the final boost of confidence she needed.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice strong and clear, "welcome to the world of Shadow Realms ."

As she launched into her presentation, Brianne felt all her nerves melt away. This was her element, the world she had created, and she reveled in sharing it with others. She walked the audience through the game's innovative features, the intricate storylines, and the groundbreaking technology that brought it all to life.

"But Shadow Realms is more than just a game," she said, nearing the end of her speech. "It's a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork, and thinking outside the box. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of my team, my family, and..." she paused, her eyes finding Reid's in the crowd, "my husband, Reid Parker, whose security expertise quite literally saved this project."

The crowd erupted in applause, and a wave of emotion washed over her. As she stepped off the stage, Reid was there to sweep her into his arms, spinning her around as the cheers continued.

"You were amazing," he murmured against her hair. "I'm so proud of you."

The rest of the conference passed in a blur of congratulations, interviews, and demonstrations. Through it all, Reid remained by Brianne's side, a constant source of support and strength.

As the event wound down, they found themselves at a celebratory dinner with their closest friends, family, and team members. Glasses clinked as toasts were made to the success of the game and to the newly married couple, a fact most of the media didn't know until Brianne had made it public.

"To Brianne and Reid," Jake raised his glass, "who proved that even the stuffiest CEO can find love when a smart, sassy game developer hacks her way into his heart."

Laughter erupted around the table. These people, this moment - it was everything she'd ever wanted and more.

Later that night, as they lay tangled together in bed, Brianne traced lazy patterns on his chest. "I can't believe how much everything has changed," she mused. "A few months ago, I was so focused on my career, I couldn't see anything else. And now..."

Reid caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "And now?"

Brianne smiled up at him, her eyes shining with joy and a hint of mischief. "Now, I can't wait to share my love of gaming with our baby."

Reid pulled her close, kissing her with a passion that left her breathless. When they finally broke apart, his eyes were suspiciously bright. "I know, love. I can't wait to see our family grow. You are my happy place."

She grinned. "Oh, Reid. That's so sweet." She kissed him and lay back on his chest. "I was wondering why you didn't share the news with our families?"

"I wanted to keep it between us a little while longer. Besides," he chuckled, "the minute we left dinner my mother would've told your mom."

She giggled. "They really are terrible, aren't they? So, Mr. Parker, are you happy?"

"Happy doesn't even begin to cover it, Mrs. Parker," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I love you so much, Brianne. You and our little cub."

Brianne laughed, snuggling closer to him. "Little cub, huh? I like the sound of that."

"You know what I like the sound of?"

She laughed and lay back in the pillows, his body pressing her into the mattress. "You really are an UnbearableBeast."

"Yeah."

She caressed a hand over his face. "But you're my UnbearableBeast."

"And you're my PixelQueen."

"Don't you ever forget it."

Reid kissed her and she knew without a doubt, she was home.