10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

56  Take Me

Quinn could barely contain her excitement as she stood in her mother's office.

She held the freshly signed loan agreement in her hands, unable to stop the huge grin on her face.

She'd had her lawyers look over the fine print. This was the most favorable contract she'll ever sign in business and it was probably the least favorable contract her mother had ever signed.

She might not be as expressive in her love but none of the Adams children could ever deny the fact that their mother loved them a lot.

Quinn grinned before carefully tucking the contract away.

She could see her mother shaking her head in slight disappointment out of the corner of her eyes.

Her mother's philosophy was to never let the guy on the other side of the negotiation table know how much you need what he has to offer.

But for Quinn, it was her mother. It didn't matter. Her mother didn't understand that though. She was an old hand at separating business and her private life.

In fact, her mother had insisted on having everything put to paper with every last detail meticulously laid out. She'd be paying off this loan for the next ten years.

Quinn didn't mind all the ceremony. After all, she was on the verge of creating something truly hers.

She waved goodbye to her mum and left.

As she walked out of the building and into the bright afternoon sun, she felt it. The feeling that comes with the ability to decide where you want your life to head.

It was a new feeling but it was also exhilarating.

The money wasn't in her account yet but she couldn't help it as her grin grew wider and an excited squeal came out of her.

For the first time in her life, she could feel it within her. The vast potential of freedom and independence.

This was her moment.

She quickly walked to her car with a bounce in her steps. There was only one place she wanted to go.

She slid into the driver's seat, barely able to hold back her grin as she drove to Nico's house. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He had to be the first person to know and she couldn't wait to tell him.

Quinn glanced at the expensive bottle of champagne she kept tucked away in her car, always saving it for a moment worth celebrating. Today was that moment.

She finally got to his house and parked outside. With a grin, she grabbed the bottle, took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

A few moments later, the door opened and there he was, standing there in casual clothes, a look of surprise quickly transforming into a warm smile when he saw her.

"Quinn! I wasn't expecting you." Nico greeted her, stepping back to let her in.

Without thinking, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in an excited hug, the joy bubbling out of her as she spoke. "I did it, Nico! I got the funding. I'm your primary investor."

He laughed, hugging her back. "That's amazing, Quinn! I knew you'd figure it out. Congratulations."

She stepped back, holding up the champagne bottle with a mischievous grin. "I figured we had to celebrate in style. What do you say?"

"Say no more." Nico chuckled, nodding approvingly. "I'll grab some glasses."

As he disappeared into the kitchen, Quinn took a moment to look around.

She'd been to his house before, but today it felt different. It felt like she'd come back to the place where it all started. The place where she'd made the deal that will become the launchpad for her future, for both of their futures.

Nico returned with two crystal flutes in hand, and she expertly popped the cork, laughing as the champagne bubbled over the rim.

She poured them each a glass, raising hers with a beaming smile.

"To the future." She toasted.

"To the future." He echoed, clinking his glass against hers.

They both took a sip and she could feel the bubbles of the drink sparkling on her tongue.

She felt bold, fearless and alive in a way she hadn't felt in years.

They chatted and laughed, sharing stories of their respective journeys. Hers to secure the loan, his experiences pitching Sunset Inn.

She could feel the energy between them, a buzz that wasn't just from the champagne.

As they continued to drink, Quinn found herself moving a little closer, letting her eyes linger on him a moment longer than usual.

She laughed at one of his jokes, reaching out and resting her hand on his arm.

Nico glanced down at her hand, his gaze meeting hers with a flicker of something more intense.

She felt the heat rising in her cheeks, but she didn't pull back. Instead, she leaned in.

"Tell me, Nico," she said, her voice a touch softer, her hand still resting on his arm, "was this where you always imagined yourself? Building something of your own?"

He nodded, thoughtfully. "Maybe not exactly here, but I've always wanted to prove myself. To have something that's mine… just like you."

She smiled at him, feeling the connection they shared. The shared desire to carve out their own paths.

The world around them seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them, and she couldn't ignore the pull between them anymore.

"Nico…" She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked at him, her eyes fixed on his lips.

Slowly, she moved closer until there was barely any space between them.

Then, they both leaned in, claiming each other's lips.

The kiss was nothing short of hungry, the desire sparking between them.

She could feel him wrap his arms around her as if he'd been waiting for this as long as she had.

She pulled back just enough to catch her breath, her eyes locking onto his.

There was no hesitation, no second-guessing. She knew what she wanted, and it was him.

"Take me." She whispered.

And he did.