Bronwyn Jameson - Fortune's Mergers

She gave her chin a haughty lift. “Can I help it if I’m more aware of my surroundings than you are? And I was right about Maya,” she added stubbornly. “Something is definitely going on between her and Creed.”

“Oh really,” he said doubtfully.

She tipped her head discreetly toward Creed. “If you don’t believe me, look for yourself. Creed’s giving Maya’s boyfriend the evil eye.”

“What?” Case glanced toward Creed. He studied his brother for a moment, then stubbornly shook his head. “He’s probably got his mind on something else and is totally unaware of who he’s looking at or his expression.”

“I don’t think so,” Gina said doubtfully.

Teasing her with a smile, he leaned close to whisper, “Since you seem determined to stir up a romance, real or imagined, you might want to check out Max’s friend, Zack, and Skylar.”

Gina scanned the room until she saw the two standing near the doorway, openly flirting. Her eyes shot wide. “Why, they’ve only just met!” she whispered in return.

Laughing, he slung an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, Super Sleuth. I’ve got something even more surprising I want to show you.”

When he reached the center of the room, he stopped and drew her to his side.

“Could I have everyone’s attention a moment?” he called loudly.

Conversations slowly dwindled as people turned to see what was going on.

Uncomfortable at being the center of attention, Gina turned her face against Case’s shoulder. “What are you doing?” she whispered frantically. “Everyone’s staring.”

He looked down at her and smiled. “Of course they are.”

“Case …”

Ignoring her pleading look, he turned his attention to the crowd again and directed his next words to them.

“As you all know, family is very important to me. The Fortunes have been blessed with one of massive size, with branches that literally stretch all over the world. Over the years, we’ve had our share of misfortune, as well as success, and through it all we’ve stuck together, offering each other whatever support and encouragement was needed at the time. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and celebrated together.

“Growing up in this house we’re gathered in this evening, I’ve taken part in quite a few celebrations, everything from births to deaths and everything in between. Tonight I’m asking my family and friends to share in a special celebration with me.”

A sliver of apprehension snaked down Gina’s spine as Case turned to face her. Taking her hand in his, he slipped his other into his jacket pocket, then slowly sank to one knee, pulling out a ring.

Gina gaped, too stunned to speak.

His gaze on hers, he slid the ring onto her finger and said in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “Gina Reynolds, would you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?”

The room was so quiet, she heard the wood shift in the fireplace. Everyone seemed as shocked by Case’s proposal as she was. She didn’t know what to say. Yes? No? Are you crazy ?

But he didn’t seem to need an answer.

With his gaze on hers, he stood and pulled her into his arms. With everyone in the room watching in shocked silence, he kissed her with a passion that stole her breath.

A single clap of hands sounded, as the guests slowly absorbed the unexpected announcement. Others gradually joined in, until applause rolled like thunder through the cavernous room.

Case spent the drive home on his cell phone, talking to someone about a business deal that he and Creed were putting together. It wasn’t exactly the behavior one might expect from a man who’d just proposed, but it was just as well, because Gina couldn’t have carried on a coherent conversation if her life depended on it.

While he conducted business, she sat in the passenger seat of the Escalade, her hands gripped in her lap, her thumb pressed against the ring that circled her finger, still trying to sort through what had just occurred.

Why had he proposed? she asked herself for what seemed like the millionth time since Case had popped the question. He’d never once hinted at marriage, never so much as whispered the words “I love you.” They weren’t a couple … or at least she’d never considered them as such. The length of their relationship—if one could call it that—certainly didn’t lead a woman to expect a proposal. Two weeks was hardly enough time for two people to become acquainted, much less engaged.

She glanced down at her hand and the ring that adorned her left finger. The setting was gorgeous, with rows of baguettes surrounding a huge center diamond. Any woman who received such a stellar engagement ring should be ecstatic, over-the-moon in love.

Gina felt only nausea.

She needed answers, an explanation, but hadn’t a clue how to phrase them … or the opportunity to ask them, since the man with the answers was currently on the phone.

Case ended his call just as they stepped into her loft.

Gathering her nerve, she turned to face him and asked the single most question that burned in her mind. “Why did you ask me to marry you?”

He frowned, as if puzzled that she’d ask, then opened his hands. “I’d think that would be obvious.”

“Maybe to you it is, but it isn’t to me. My, God, Case! We’ve known each other less than two weeks!”

“I wasn’t aware there were time restrictions on how long a man had to wait before proposing.”

“That isn’t an answer,” she said impatiently. “And why did you propose in front of all those people? Everyone was staring at me. It was embarrassing.”

His smile indulgent, he crossed to her and caught her hands in his. “Gina, Gina, Gina,” he scolded gently. “There was no reason for you to be embarrassed. Those people , as you referred to them, are my family and friends. Becoming engaged is a big step, a milestone in my life, in our lives. I wanted them present to share in the occasion.” He gave her hands a tug, drawing her to him, then released them to wrap his arms around her. “Don’t be angry with me, darling.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead and her nose, then tipped her face up to his. “I wanted to make this special for you, for us. An event we would always remember.”

He tipped her face higher and she watched his face drift down, until his lips touched hers. “Please tell me you’re not angry with me,” he murmured. “I don’t want anything to mar this night.” He rained kisses over her face. “Please, Gina,” he begged softly.

Weak, she clung to him, all resistance melting from her. “I’m not angry. It’s just that … it was so totally unexpected.”

He withdrew slightly and caught her left hand. With his gaze on hers, he lifted her hand and pressed his lips against the ring he’d placed there. “Do you like your engagement ring?” he asked.

She shivered, as he stroked his thumb over the back of her knuckles. “I-it’s beautiful.”

He smiled, as if her response pleased him. “When I saw it, I knew it was meant for you.” He slipped his hands inside her jacket and rested them on her shoulders. “Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?” he asked softly. He dipped his head to nibble at her throat.

Closing her eyes, she let her head fall back, giving him easier access. “I-I don’t remember.”

“Then I’ll tell you now. You look beautiful.” He swept his hands out, easing her jacket over her shoulders. “Gorgeous, as radiant as any bride on her wedding night.”

Goose bumps pebbled her flesh as he smoothed his hands down her arms, relieving her of her jacket and letting it fall to the floor in a heap at their feet. Her breath was coming faster and faster, heat danced beneath her skin. She wanted to open her eyes, anchor herself on something substantial to still the dizziness, but her lids were simply too heavy to lift.