Billionaire Auction by Brynn Paulin
Epilogue
Jade splashed in the pool while Moriah lay on one of the loungers beside it.
“She looks happy.”
Moriah glanced over at Kendrick. Lounging on the chair pushed right up against hers, he wore a black swimsuit and a white tee. They’d been back at his penthouse for a week now, after their two weeks at Disney. All three of them were settling into their new life together, made easier by a few of her father’s former staff coming to work for them. None had been complicit in his crimes, and Moriah felt comfortable with Mario running their household and Jade’s nanny, Anna, taking care of the little girl. Moriah had brought on the cook who’d practically raised her, as well.
“She is happy,” she said. She smiled at him. “So am I.”
“You better be.”
She giggled. “Or what, Mr. Bergana? I’m feeling pretty safe from a spanking right now.”
“Don’t you think I don’t have my ways. I do.” He brought her left hand to his lips. “Besides, Mrs. Bergana, if you weren’t happy, I do whatever was necessary to change that. Anything for my wife.”
Oh yeah, there was that. The trip home from the Magic Kingdom had included a detour to Las Vegas. Neither of them had family, other than Jade who was with them. Frank had been there as well, having been their shadow all through their vacation. He’d stood up as their witness at the little chapel they’d chosen.
Jade had been shy for about three point two seconds when she’d met Kendrick the morning after their reunion then immediately started pestering him about coming with her to see Mickey. Moriah had soon learned he was a sucker to the little girl. For a time, she’d worried about how spoiled her sister—and any future children—might be. Then when Jade had thrown a tantrum over wanting to stay longer at the park one night, she’d witness Kendrick jumping into action and shutting down the behavior in a firm voice. His boundaries were wide but he’d been clear about his expectations. Seeing it had reassured Moriah that he could hack the dad thing, though they’d both be tried.
She stroked her fingers along the top of his hand. “So I was thinking…”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Jade has her music lessons this afternoon. Frank and Anna can take her to it. Maybe we could…find something to do together.”
“Something in our bedroom, perhaps?”
“Well…” she reached into the pocket of her coverup and produced two pretty clamps that looked like flat flowers with an opening in the center of each for a nipple. “I thought maybe you’d like to try these. Maybe while we use the cuffs that I found in the bedside table.”
“My naughty kitten.”
“You love it.”
“With everything in me.” Kendrick stood and reached for her hand. “Frank,” he called as he pulled her to her feet. “Moriah and I need to see to some business. Make sure Jade gets to her piano lesson…and maybe some ice cream afterward.”
“Yes!” Jade cheered before cannonballing into the water.
“Yes, sir,” Frank said with a laugh, shaking off water.
Then Kendrick was pulling Moriah inside and toward their bedroom while she laughed, loving this man and everything her life had become.
