[Quantum 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set

by Marie Force

  After Natalie’s emotional reaction to the doctor’s appointment, I thought about postponing the meeting, but it was too late to cancel with so many busy people already en route.

  She’s quiet on the drive to the office, and I don’t push her to talk. I know she’s dealing with yet another reopened wound, which makes me want to start punching things again.

  Bringing her to the office—again—leaves me unsettled in light of the secrets we’re hiding in the basement of the Quantum building. Like in New York, our secret BDSM club is housed there, not that Natalie will ever know about that. It’s not a part of my life that I can share with her, so I’ll put it in the past where it belongs.

  After witnessing the trauma the medical exam caused her, I’m further convinced that my now-former lifestyle will never play a part in our relationship, so why would I ever tell her about it? She won’t understand it unless she experiences it, and after what she’s been through, there’s no way I’m bringing dominance or submission into our bed. I’ll find a way to live without it, because living without her isn’t an option.

  When we arrive on the top floor of the Quantum building where our executive offices are housed, everyone is thrilled about the Oscar nominations. The receptionist tells me my parents are waiting for me in my office. I’m glad I’ll get a chance to talk to them about our wedding plans before the meeting.

  We’re holding hands when we enter my office, where my parents are enjoying cups of coffee and sitting together on one of the sofas. I’ve asked them and my sisters to be on the board of directors for the foundation, and they were all thrilled to accept. My parents jump up to greet us. Both of them hug and kiss Natalie. I love their easy familiarity with her and the way they’ve welcomed her into our family. She needs that right now, and they seem to know it.

  “I’m glad you guys were able to get here a few minutes early.”

  “You said you had some news for us that has nothing to do with the meeting,” Dad says, his eyes dancing. “That’s going to get our attention every time.”

  I glance at Natalie before I return my gaze to them. “Natalie and I are getting married tonight.”

  I’ve rarely seen my parents speechless, but they are truly stunned by my announcement.

  And then my mom begins to tear up, and I know it’s going to be okay.

  “That’s wonderful news, son,” Dad says. “Congratulations to both of you.”

  “Yes,” Mom adds, “we’re thrilled for you.”

  Beside me, I feel Natalie relax ever so slightly when it becomes clear that they don’t object to our news.

  “What a whirlwind,” Dad says, which is his way of asking if we’re being hasty. He would never use that word with us. It’s just not how he rolls.

  “Could I see your ring, Natalie?” Mom asks.

  “We agreed I shouldn’t wear it this morning so our news doesn’t get out before we want it to.” Natalie unzips the ring from her purse, slides it back into place and extends her hand to Mom.

  “It’s beautiful.” To me, she says, “Well done, honey.”

  “All thanks to Hugh. He was instrumental.”

  “Where do you plan to get married?” Dad asks.

  “We’re going to Vegas for the night.”

  “This is so exciting,” Mom says. “Natalie, your head must be spinning.”

  “In the best possible way,” she says, looking up at me with a smile.

  “We’ll have a party,” Mom declares. “We’ll have it at our house. You have to let us celebrate with you. Sometime in the next couple of weeks.”

  I look at Natalie, who seems pleased by the idea. “Sure, Mom, that’d be nice. Nothing too crazy. Just immediate family.” In our case, immediate family includes a couple hundred of our closest friends.

  “Of course.” She claps her hands. “I’d given up hope that you’d ever get married again, but after we met you, Natalie, I told Max our boy is going to marry that lovely girl.”

  “And you know how much your mother loves to be right.”

  “I do enjoy my ability to predict the future,” Mom says, “and I predict you two will be very happy together. Welcome to our family, Natalie, and thank you for making Flynn happier than we’ve ever seen him.”

  “He’s made me very happy, too, and thank you for your warm welcome. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be part of a family again.”

  “You may be wishing for simpler times after you spend more time with the Godfreys,” I tell her.

  “No, I won’t. Show me your worst.”

  “We won’t tell the girls she said that,” Mom says, making us all laugh.

  We chat with them for a few more minutes until one of the admins tells us the others are here for the meeting. I send my parents along and take a minute alone with Natalie.

  “That went well, huh?” I ask her.

  “They’re wonderful. They never batted an eye.”

  “They never would. They know me, and they understand that, more than anything, I know myself and what I want.” Once again, my conscience rears its ugly head to remind me of the part of myself I’m denying as I enter into marriage with Natalie. “Are you okay with waiting to tell everyone else until after the fact? Although I trust my family and your friends, I’d hate for the word to get out before we’re ready to let it out.”

  “That’s fine with me. Whatever you think is best. You certainly know better than I do how to handle that kind of announcement.”

  “I wanted to tell you, in the meeting, I’m going to name you chair of the foundation board.”

  Her face goes slack with shock. “You’re going to do what?”

  “I want you to oversee the entire thing. Everyone will answer to you.”

  “You’re serious.”

  “Dead serious.”

  “But I know nothing about running a foundation.”

  “Neither do I. We’ll figure it out together. You know far more than I do about the problem we’re hoping to solve, having worked as a teacher in the city. You’re better qualified than I’ll ever be to head up this effort.”

  “You’ve been close to this issue for years, and your name will be on the door. It should be you.”

  “Our names will be on the door, and I haven’t been as close to the issue as I’m going to be.”

  “Our names?”

  “It will be called the Flynn and Natalie Godfrey Foundation.”

  “Flynn… I don’t know what to say. Your faith in me is…”

  “I’ve found the very best possible person to lead this effort that’s as near and dear to my heart as you are. I think you can make a real difference, Nat. But if you don’t want to take it on, I’d totally understand.”

  “I’d love to try, as long as you know I might mess things up before I find my footing.”

  “You won’t mess up anything. We’ve got a great staff here at Quantum who will be at your disposal.”

  “What if…”

  “What if what?”

  She looks up at me, her expression filled with uncertainty. “I get my job back in New York?”

  “I guess we’ll have a decision to make if that happens. Either way, I want you involved in the foundation, and I feel very comfortable putting you in charge and putting you on salary beginning today. But only if it’s what you want, too.”

  “I’m honored by your faith in me, and I’d love to try. Thank you.”

  “Then let’s go meet with our new board of directors.”

  Chapter 11

  This will surely go down as one of the most surreal days of my life. We’re on another private plane heading for Vegas as the sun drops toward the horizon. With Fluff sleeping in my lap, I’m curled up next to Flynn on the sofa.

  He shocked the hell out of me by asking me to head up the foundation, but once the shock wore off, I began to feel excited about the challenge. I left the meeting with a three-page to-do list that will keep me busy for the first half of the year.

  I have to give Flyn
n credit for recognizing that I need something to pour my energy into since losing my job. The work we plan to do helping to feed hungry children is an extremely worthwhile cause that needs this kind of attention.

  I saw it with my own class, most of them from good families with hardworking parents, and yet from time to time, some of them came to school without having had breakfast and with no money for lunch.

  They broke my heart with the kind of quiet shame that no child should ever experience.

  “What’re you thinking about, sweetheart?”

  “My to-do list from the meeting.”

  “I knew I hired the right person for this job. You’re already all over it.”

  “So it’s a job, huh?”

  “Of course it is. I told you I was putting you on the Quantum payroll. And your first-year salary is the exact amount of your student loans plus fifty percent.”

  Laughter bursts from my chest, spontaneous and free. “You’re a smooth operator, Flynn Godfrey.”

  “Why thank you, sweetheart. I’m glad you think so.”

  “I decline your generous salary and volunteer my time to the foundation. You see, my soon-to-be husband is filthy rich, so I don’t technically need to work.”

  “Ohhh, well-played, my love.”

  “Why thank you.” I love every second I get to spend in the presence of this extraordinary man. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, he makes me happier than I’ve ever been or had ever hoped to be.

  “But that’s not happening. You do a job, you get paid. That’s how it works. And speaking of your filthy-rich husband…”

  “You probably want me to sign something. Whatever you need, I’ll sign.”

  “No, I don’t want you to sign anything.”

  “Flynn, be serious. Anyone with half a brain who has what you have would expect his girlfriend of two weeks to sign a prenup before they say I do.”

  “Well, I guess I have less than half a brain, because there isn’t going to be any prenup.”

  He’s so emphatic that I begin to question whether he’s already had this argument with someone else. “Is this why Hayden left the way he did other night?”

  “What way did he leave?”

  “Pissed off. I assumed it had something to do with me, as I have that effect on him.”

  Flynn seems to be deciding how much he wishes to say.

  “Did your friends tell you you’re a fool to not have a prenup?”

  “I don’t know that fool was the word they used.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “For what it’s worth, I agree with them. I’d actually be more comfortable if there was something that protects you. Just in case.”

  “In case of what?”

  I throw him a look that lets him know I’m on to him. “Don’t be obtuse.”

  “I do so love your vocabulary, Ms. Bryant, and just for your edification, this marriage is forever, so I refuse to go into it making plans for it to end.”

  “While I appreciate your complete and utter faith in me and in us, it would be prudent for you to ask me to sign something that says I don’t want your money. I only want you.”

  “Which is exactly why you’re not being asked to sign anything. I believe you when you say you only want me. You’re the only woman I’ve ever been with who’s with me for the right reasons. Everything I have is yours.”

  Tears fill my eyes. How can this be really happening? “I love you so much. Who you are to the rest of the world and what you have… None of that matters to me as much as who you are to me, what you give to me every day, by loving me.”

  He leans in to kiss me.

  I reach up to keep him from getting away, which disturbs Fluff.

  She comes to with a growl and a bark that make us laugh once again.

  Caressing his cheek, I say, “I live in mortal fear of her biting this world-famous face.”

  “A scar or two would add some character.”

  “You’re perfect exactly the way you are.”

  A short time later, we land in Vegas, where we’re met by a limo that whisks us into town. I’m dazzled by the Vegas Strip—the lights, the gaudy grandeur and the palpable energy. Flynn, who has been here a million times, enjoys watching me see it for the first time.

  We end up at the Bellagio, where we’re taken in through a special entrance and escorted to an elevator that deposits us directly into a palatial suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Strip and the elaborate fountains the hotel is famous for. I walk over to the window to take it all in.

  Flynn joins me there and slides his arms around me from behind. “What do you think, sweetheart?”

  “It’s amazing. I’m not sure where to look first because there’s so much to see.”

  “I wish we were normal people, and I could take you for a walk to get closer to the fountains or show you the casino, where you could try your luck at the tables.”

  I turn to face him. “I wouldn’t want us to be anyone other than who we are. I’m perfectly satisfied with this beautiful suite and to have you all to myself.”

  “You’ll have me all to yourself after we take care of a little business.”

  “What kind of business?” I ask with a coy smile, though I know perfectly well.

  The doorbell rings. “Hold that thought.” He kisses me before he goes to answer a door that I hadn’t noticed.

  I’m still staring out the window when there’s a flurry of activity behind me reflected in the glass. I turn to find four people and a rack of dresses. “What’s all this?”

  “I couldn’t ask you to get married without a fabulous dress and, at the very least, having your hair done however you want it. Oh, and flowers. They’re on the way up.”

  “Let me guess. Addie?”

  “With a little help from me.” He looks adorably uncertain all of a sudden. “I hope this is okay.”

  I go up on tiptoes to kiss him. “It’s perfect. Everything about this is perfect.”

  “I’ll leave you to get ready, then. See you soon?”

  “Yes, you will.”

  An hour later, I’m wearing a gorgeous white silk dress by a designer I’ve never heard of. It fits me like it was made just for me, which is why I chose it. It’s also subtly sexy with a deep V neckline that I’m quite certain my future husband will appreciate. The bodice is beaded with crystals and pearls, but the rest is exquisitely simple, which suits me perfectly.

  I’ve brought the diamond earrings and necklace Flynn gave me before the Golden Globes, and my hands tremble ever so slightly as I put them on. I’m still terrified of losing them, even though he’s told me not to worry. They’re insured. Still, I’d die if I ever misplaced the priceless gems.

  I’ve chosen to wear my hair down because that’s more “me” than an elaborate updo will ever be. It’s long and curly, the way I like it best. I never feel more “me,” the new and improved me, than when I’m with Flynn, so I want to be beautiful for him tonight.

  I wonder about the people who help me get ready and what sort of threats they must be under to keep our secrets. I hope none of them buckles to the pressure to spill the beans. I’m certain Flynn’s team has a plan for how they will release this news to the world.

  That, however, is not my concern right now. At the moment, all I can think about is that I’m about to marry the most wonderful man I’ve ever known, and I can’t wait to commit the rest of my life to him.

  Everyone else leaves, and I take a last look in the mirror before I declare myself ready. I’m not sure if I should wait in the bedroom or go out to see if Flynn is ready, too.

  A soft knock on the door ends my debate. My belly flutters with excitement as I cross the room to answer. Flynn is there in a sexy black suit with a thin tie. His hair has been combed into submission, and he’s freshly shaven. He’s absolutely stunning, and the way he looks at me takes my breath away.

  “Natalie… God, you’re beautiful. Come out here and let me see you.” He takes me by the hand and leads
me into the enormous living room that’s bigger than my entire apartment in New York. Still holding my hand, he places his other hand over his heart. “I have to be the luckiest guy who ever lived to have found you. And that you love me…”

  “I love you so much. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

  “Then let’s make it official, shall we?” He hands me a bouquet of white roses and snapdragons and other flowers I don’t recognize. Then he places a call on the house phone, and a few minutes later, the doorbell rings again. This time he admits a man in a suit who gestures for the woman who is with him to enter ahead of him. They both have gray hair and warm, friendly smiles.

  “Natalie, this is Judge Henry Gallagher and his wife, Teresa. He’ll marry us, and they’ll serve as our witnesses.”

  I shake hands with them. “Nice to meet you both.”

  “Likewise,” he says. “We’re both huge fans of your work, Mr. Godfrey.”

  “Please, call me Flynn.”

  “I have a few things for you both to sign,” Judge Gallagher says.

  We take care of the paperwork and decide to stand before the fireplace for the ceremony. When Flynn reaches for my hands and flashes a giddy smile, I set the flowers on a nearby table and take hold of his hands.

  All of a sudden, it registers with me that we’re actually doing this. We’re getting married, and I’m not even slightly nervous. That’s because I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m doing the right thing. The smile that stretches across Flynn’s handsome face lets me know he feels the same way. I squeeze his hands.

  “Flynn and Natalie, you have come here tonight to be married. Are you both taking these vows of your own free will?”

  “I am,” we say together.

  Flynn squeezes my hands.

  “Natalie, if you’ll repeat after me.”

  I recite my vows, listen to Flynn recite his and become teary when he slides a platinum band on my finger that matches my engagement ring. I panic for a second when I realize I don’t have a ring for him, but of course that’s been taken care of as well.