“Really.” Unable to stand it any longer, he stood and went to her, kneeling in front of her chair so he could look into her eyes. “I’m sorry about your father. I’m sorry about everything he said and I hate that you heard it.”
“I needed to hear it. It confirmed what I’ve suspected for too long.” She bowed her head. “He may love me, but he will always be in competition with me. And I can’t live my life like that.”
“You shouldn’t have to.” He reached for her hands, clasping them in his. “You don’t need to live in his shadow any longer. Revel in your successes. Worth It is going into production. The perfume will launch sometime next spring.”
She smiled through her tears, entwining her fingers with his. “That’s wonderful.”
“I know.” He smiled in return. “We want your input on packaging. The bottle, the advertising, all of it. Hunter and Gracie both are excited to work with you.”
“I—I’m excited to work with them.”
“And once we get that all taken care of, then we’ll start on the next project.”
“Which is?”
He grinned. “A men’s fragrance for Worth.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course.”
“Gabriella.” His voice turned grave and she immediately sobered. “Do you believe me now? That you will always come first in my life? No matter the hardships, no matter what, I will always be there for you?”
The tears started again, and he hated seeing them. But these were different. She looked happy, relieved. Releasing her hold on his hands, she threw her arms around him, drawing him close. “Yes. Yes, I know. Did you mean what you said? That you’re already—halfway in love with me?”
“What do you think?” He kissed her, long and hot, the taste of the salt from her tears on his lips. “It’s going to be crazy, being with me,” he confessed in a whisper against her plush mouth.
She smiled. “I’m up for the challenge.”
“Good.” He kissed her again. “So am I.”
Chapter Nineteen
“So many people are here,” Gabriella whispered urgently in Rhett’s ear. She clung to his side like a nervous little rabbit, intimidated by the crowd. No, more like intimidated by who was in the crowd, she thought wryly.
Celebrities, including movie and television stars, were sprinkled among some of the most important people in the fashion and perfume industry. Representatives from all media sources were there as well, including the terrifying perfume reporter from the New York Times who’d kissed both of her cheeks upon first seeing her and declared her scent absolutely divine.
She’d blushed like a schoolgirl at his gushing. Couldn’t admit she’d clipped his glowing review of the Worth It fragrance yesterday when she saw it in the paper. She still couldn’t believe she received glowing reviews.
The last few days since the perfume launched had been wildly, wonderfully surreal.
“They’re all here to see you,” Rhett murmured just before he kissed her behind her ear. “You’re a star, baby.”
She gazed up at him, let all the love and devotion she felt for him shine in her eyes. These last months of exceptionally hard work, paired with long nights spent with the man she loved had been like a dream. She couldn’t remember if she’d ever been this happy.
They’d already started on the new fragrance for men. The brief had been worked up—with her input—and they’d recently gone on another island tour, this time to the big island. They’d spent equal time burning up the sheets and actually touring the sites. Worth wanted another sexually charged scent to accompany the first one. And after one exceptional evening involving exquisitely slow sex with Rhett under a dark velvet sky dotted with twinkling stars, she’d been struck with inspiration.
Lying in her man’s strong arms, her head on his muscular shoulder, their limbs entwined. She’d never known such happiness.
Upon their return to New York, she’d diligently worked in her lab, trying her best to create the scent that would capture that magical night.
“They’re here to see Worth. They’re here to see you,” she reminded him, pride filling her. Just as she was being praised for her creation, Rhett was equ
ally praised for discovering her. For creating such a phenomenal perfume launch that was already being described a runaway success. “The party is fabulous, Rhett.”
“It is, isn’t it? Our marketing team is incomparable.” He smiled at someone who passed by, nodding his head in greeting. “Everyone’s come out to see this.”
“Hunter’s known for throwing the best parties in the city.”
Rhett turned to her, his eyebrows raised. “Who told you that? Hunter?”