Page 132 of Over the Limit

And when she walks off, I don’t give a flying fuck who is back there—Monica, Paolo, Rossi, Zola—I wrap my arms around her and plant a huge kiss on those sexy red lips of hers.

This. This is what’s been missing from tonight.

When I lean back and look at her, I know there’s no one else for me. Ever. “You, Blair Carmichael, are fucking everything. The moon, the stars, and the goddamn sky. I might have overstepped by saying those things in front of all those people. Well, okay, in front of the whole world. Sorry, baby. But I’m so proud of you, of what you’ve achieved, and of the woman you are. I love you. Wholeheartedly. All of the above.”

She leans her forehead against mine and simply smiles, her happiness palpable.

She’s mine. And now, everyone knows it.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Blair

The night is a total blur.

Between congratulations and hugs from what feels like anyone and everyone to being able to stand beside Lachlan with my arm hooked through his or fingers linked with his and officially be his girlfriend . . . the entire night feels like a surreal dream that I was able to take part in, enjoy, and bask in the accolades.

And while I can still hear people partying out in the ballroom, I am done.

With my duties.

With the event.

With having to hide.

And it feels glorious.

Lachlan is getting the car while I collect my shoes—which have long since been off—and my clutch.

“Blair? Do you have a minute?”

I stutter at the sound of Paolo’s voice. The last thing I want is my night ruined, but I stop and turn to face him. “Hmm?”

My lack of response must tell him all he needs to know because he approaches with his hands up in surrender. “I’m here to eat crow. That’s all.” He smiles genuinely. “I wanted to reiterate what an incredible job you did with the event. And I wanted to apologize for making you feel like you had to hide parts of who you were. I was wrong in doing that. What I should have done was let you be you, let your life be what it is, and if questions arose, gone to bat for you. But I didn’t. I was too busy covering my own ass instead of realizing that you were just making it look better.” He holds his hand out for me to take. “Apology accepted?”

Wow. Tonight is a night of revelations and I’m the benefactor of all of them.

“Apology accepted.”

“Good.” He nods his head definitively. “Now I can’t wait to see what new idea you come up with next.”

I stare at him. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you proved you could kick ass with an existing event. Now it’s time for you to create one on your own. One that’s one hundred percent your brainchild.”

“Paolo . . .”

“You deserve the promotion. You really did a phenomenal job.”

“Thank you.”

“Now go and enjoy the rest of your night.”

My grin is ear to ear as I head out to the valet just as Lachlan is pulling up in an obscenely sleek and sexy-looking car whose motor purrs.

He hops out, rounds the front of it, and before I can even step to the door, he’s opening for me, he pulls me against him and kisses me in a soul-searing kiss.

My head dizzies and I forget where we are and who is watching.