Page 119 of The Billionaire Who Hated Me (Until He Loved Me)

I sigh.I hope to hell that Evander, Finn, and Special K have done everything I’ve asked of them back at the ranch.I realize it’s a lot to pull off, especially without much notice.But one thing I’m sure of is that my dumbass brothers are resourceful.

One day soon I’ll thank them for their back deck intervention.It’s true—I needed some smacking around in order to think clearly about the situation, and they were more than happy to meet those needs.My brothers set this train back on the tracks, so maybe that’s why they’re committed to my success.

I only hope that they got some female help with the details.

Summer?She’s a hardcore tomboy, but she’s still a woman, so she may have come in handy.

Jasmine might have a few ideas, but I hope they’re not all pink.

Phoebe?Most definitely, if she’s still hanging around looking after Evander.That boy is embarrassingly blind—I’m sure now that Phoebe’s in love with him, and probably has been since they were kids.

But I’m nervous.This plan has a lot of moving parts.So many things could go wrong.

We drop off the SUV.The baggage cart driver and I load Victoria’s bags, and we head out to the tarmac.I counted seven pieces of luggage, all matching, all that designer shit.We hop into the back seat.

“I didn’t think it was possible for you to have more luggage than what I’ve already seen in your possession.”

“I come with a lot of baggage, Cal.”

I laugh.“Don’t we all, baby.”I slide my arm over the back of the rumble seat and pull her close.

She frowns.“Besides, those bags hold everything I own at this point.If I haven’t given it away, had it taken away, or placed it in storage, it’s here with me.”

“That sounds perfect.”

She narrows an eye at me.“Perfect for what?”

“For how long you’ll be with me.”

“And how long is that?”

“Forever.”

I don’t care if the cart driver can see us.I don’t care who sees us.I’m pretty sure that back in the lobby of Victoria’s building, I became one of those men who are fine with public displays of affection.Only in my case, it was far more than affection on display—it was lust, need, relief, desire… and love.

Damn, how things change.How I’ve changed.How Victoria has changed everything for me.

I turn, pull her close, and press her against the front of my body.I kiss her, her hair swirling around us as we get closer to the jet.I lift my lips from hers.“I sure hope you like my surprise.”

“Will you be with me?”

I smile.“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll love it.”

I kiss her again and keep kissing her until the luggage cart slows to a crawl and I hear Declan’s obnoxious commentary behind me.

“Get a room!”he yells, already lifting the suitcases from the cart and lugging them to the cargo hold of StellaR Tech’s private jet.

“Declan!”Victoria jumps out and gives my second-to-youngest brother a big hug.“I’ve missed you!”

“Missed you too, Victoria.”Declan looks over her head and winks at me.I take that as an indication that everything’s in place.

It’s not long before we’ve received clearance to take off.We climb and then bank eastward to begin our ninety-minute flight to Sweetbrier.Since Declan’s already prepped the helo for our arrival, we land the jet and almost immediately we’re ready to go again.We board, buckle up, and test our headsets.Within minutes, we lift off and head for our destination.

Victoria’s face lights up.She laughs into her headset.“Declan!The seats are heated!”

“Damn skippy they are!”