The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

slid out a ring…a beautiful stone the color of her eyes surrounded by a ring of sparkling diamonds. Her head began to swim.

      This was too much.

      Trinity shook her head slowly, tried to back away. “This isn’t fair.”

      He reached for her hand. “I’m talking about a marriage based on mutual respect. A union, Trinity, based on love. My love for you and yours for me.” His dark eyes burned into hers. “I want you to be my bride. And I’d want that whether there was a beautiful baby needing us or not.”

      For a short, sweet moment, the words sang around in her head. He wanted them to be married—for real. But it didn’t make sense. Not after all he’d said and explained about a career-first mind-set getting in the way of a sound marriage. And didn’t his parents’ rocky marriage support that claim?

      “You as good as said yourself. When a man takes his work as a mistress, sooner or later resentment sinks in. If you want the best for Bel, if you really love me—”

      “I really do.”

      “—then you’d walk away now. Bel needs stability.”

      He nodded as if he understood. “I’ve told my father and the rest of the mob, I’m stepping down from the role of chairman-in-waiting. In fact, I offered my resignation from the family board.”

      Trinity blinked as the words hit then sank in. That couldn’t be. “But you are Harrison Hotels.”

      “Was. Now I’m Bel’s future father. Your future husband. That is, if you say yes.”

      “Zack, this is crazy. You need to think this through.”

      “I’ve done nothing but think. Now it’s time to act.” He wound an arm around her waist and pressed her near. “I love you, and that’s a thousand times more important than wheeling and dealing. Turns out I’m exactly like my brothers. I want to settle down. Have a family.” He dropped a kiss on the side of her mouth. “I want that with you. Only you.”

      She breathed out a question. “And Bel?”

      “She’ll be the jewel in our crown. The happy ending to our story.”

      Trinity felt her eyes prickle and fill. All at once, she felt so happy. Bubbling and wanting to cry with it. A happy ending. She siphoned down a breath then said, “I’ve always wanted one of those.”

      “I know what I want. You.”

      “Are you sure?”

      He grinned. “I’m so sure, it’s scary.”

      Her heart was pounding so hard, and she didn’t feel as if she could get enough air. She couldn’t believe it. “You really love me?”

      “Until the day I die.”

      That happy sob building in her throat finally escaped over a heartfelt smile. Suddenly she felt so full she wondered if she might burst.

      “I didn’t want to tell you…”

      “Tell me what?”

      She surrendered. “That I love you, too.” Hopelessly and with all her heart. It had killed her to tell him to leave that day. She never thought she’d see him again.

      He was slipping the ring on her finger, bringing her hand to his lips and, as tears spilled down her cheeks, for the first time in her life Trinity felt truly whole.

      When he gathered her close, she had to say, “I just hope you don’t miss any of your old life.”

      “Not a chance,” he said.

      And a heartbeat before his mouth covered hers, in love’s sweetest words, he told her why.

       Epilogue

       Nine months later

      Surrounded by a sea of smiling faces, Trinity felt like a princess standing beside the man who had stolen and would always keep her heart. As they cut through the bottom tier of their soaring wedding cake and enthusiastic applause went up in the Denver Dirkins-Harrison Hotel ballroom, she let out a laugh of sheer joy and lifted her face to accept a kiss from the handsome groom. Although they’d planned this special day for months, brimming with emotion now, Trinity couldn’t quite believe this dream had come true.

      When the applause and flashes finally died, looking dynamic in his tuxedo, his dark hair combed back and onyx eyes sparkling, Zack broke the kiss but stayed close to murmur against her cheek.

      “Are you tired of smiling for the cameras yet?”

      She snatched a kiss from his strong jaw, drank in his familiar masculine scent and confessed, “I don’t think I’ll ever stop smiling.”

      Today she’d not only said “I do” to the most wonderful man on the planet, she’d also been formally welcomed into his family. She’d almost cried she’d been so moved by Dylan’s speech announcing how pleased all the Harrisons were to have her join their fold. Zack’s parents and siblings, in-laws and their children had also welcomed in another lucky person, a beautiful shining soul she and Zack fell more in love with each and every day.

      Since their attorney had finalized the open adoption, Belinda—or Bonnie Bell as she’d become known—had stayed full-time with them in their Colorado cabin. But Maggie was welcome whenever and as often as she pleased. They never wanted their baby girl to forget her biological mother—a young woman who grew stronger every day and was doing so well, via Harrison sponsorship, at a nearby college studying law.

      Maggie had been invited today, but casting a quick glance over their guests now, Trinity couldn’t spot either Maggie or Bel. Zack must have read her look.

      “There’s Maggie.” Zack gestured to the wedding gift table where Maggie was speaking with Sienna, who had been thrilled to be a bridesmaid. “But I can’t see the baby.”

      “You look down that way and I’ll take this end.”

      Before she could shoot off, he cupped her bare shoulders and peered patiently into her eyes.

      “Honey, we’re among friends and family. Not to mention security personnel manning the exits.” A gate-crasher measure more than anything. “I’m sure someone has Bonnie at their table, telling her how pretty she is as she totters around on those new little shoes she loves.”

      Trinity nodded and found a smile. “Guess I’m feeling a little anxious—” guilty “—over leaving her for a whole week for our honeymoon in Italy.”

      “She’ll be with Maggie and my mother, too.” He lifted her hand and dropped a tender kiss on the sensitive underside of her wrist. “She’ll be so spoiled we’ll have to put her in baby boot camp when we get back.”

      Trinity laughed but couldn’t pretend she didn’t already feel that “something missing” sensation, the one she’d first experienced the second day they’d spent cut off from the rest of the world in his cabin. The unease must have shown on her face.

      He brought her hands folded in his to his chest. “Trin, you haven’t got a neglectful bone in your body. You’re an amazing mom. That little girl’s face lights up whenever you’re around.”

      Trinity melted. “She’s pretty fond of you, too.”

      The music faded at the same time MC Dylan clicked on the mic to make an announcement. It was time for the bridal waltz.

      The lights went down and a show of slow, spinning lights rotated around the floor as the twelve-piece band kicked off a moving song they’d both chosen. Their audience sighed as he took her in his arms and, with expert skill, moved her around beneath the “stars.”

      With everyone watching, but for her ears only, Zack said, “I thank my lucky stars you