Chapter 8 - The Proposal on the Balcony
Two days later.
The ocean breeze blew softly across the private balcony of the Newport mansion where they had first met four months ago.
The Atlantic was calm, sparkling like crushed diamonds under the late afternoon sun.
The port project had officially broken ground on its final expansion phase, with Penelope’s firm securing three new multi-million-dollar municipal contracts across New England.
Penelope stood at the stone balustrade, wearing a soft white linen dress that fluttered gently in the sea breeze. She held a glass of chilled white wine, watching the waves crash against the cliffs below.
Behind her, the balcony doors opened softly.
Julian stepped out onto the stone deck. He was dressed in a casual black shirt, his dark hair tousled by the wind.
He walked up behind her, wrapping his long arms around her waist, pulling her back against his broad chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder, breathing in the sweet scent of her skin.
“What are you thinking about?” Julian murmured softly.
Penelope leaned back into his solid heat, smiling. “I was thinking about the first night I stood on this balcony. I was so angry. I thought my life was over because Richard left his portfolio with me.”
Julian let out a quiet laugh, kissing the soft skin beneath her ear. “I thank God every day that Harrison was a foolish bastard. If he hadn't dismissed you, you never would have walked onto my balcony.”
Penelope turned around in his arms, resting her hands against his broad chest, looking up into his sharp, handsome face.
“You knew who I was that night, didn't you?” she asked softly.
Julian smiled—a rare, gentle expression that softened his dark eyes completely.
“I knew the moment I saw your rendered drafts three weeks before the gala,” Julian confessed, his thumb tracing her soft lower lip. “I saw the brilliance in your work. And when you stood on this deck in your emerald dress, calling me an anti-social sociopath who was overcompensating...”
He chuckled softly. “I knew I was never going to let you go.”
Julian slowly stepped back, reaching into his pocket.
He dropped down onto one knee on the cold stone of the balcony.
Penelope’s breath locked in her throat. Her hands flew to her mouth, her dark eyes filling with sudden, emotional tears.
Julian pulled a small black velvet box from his jacket and flipped it open.
Inside rested a magnificent, flawless ten-carat emerald-cut yellow diamond, surrounded by a halo of brilliant white diamonds, set in a band of solid black titanium.
“Penelope Hayes,” Julian said, his voice deep, strong, and rough with absolute devotion. “You came into my shadow world and built a fortress of light. You are my equal, my strength, and the love of my life. Will you marry me?”
Penelope looked down at the breathtaking ring, then into the fierce, dark eyes of the mafia boss who had seen her brilliance when the rest of the world ignored her.
May you like
“Yes!” Penelope cried out, tears of pure happiness spilling over her lashes. “Yes, Julian! Absolute yes!”
Julian slid the heavy ring onto her finger. He stood up, caught her by the waist, and lifted her completely off her feet, spinning her around on the sunlit balcony as her rich, beautiful laughter echoed out over the ocean.
