Page 100 of Boss of Me

Laughing at myself, I clutch the note to my chest, my heart bursting with happiness and another emotion I’m not inclined to analyze at the moment.

Grinning from ear to ear, I fling back the covers and race to the walk-in closet. My jaw drops when I see stacks of glossy black boxes on the dressing bench.

“Afewthings?” I exclaim in disbelief.

The first three boxes are filled with expensive lingerie from La Perla. I softly caress the delicate bits of silk and lace, thrilled and aroused by the thought of Gunner selecting such sexy underthings for me.

Did he picture me in the see-through bras and panties? Did it turn him on? Just the thought makes me shiver in anticipation.

The other boxes hold an array of designer skirts, blouses, pants and sundresses, all in my size. There are also several shoeboxes containing strappy sandals, nude pumps and jewel-encrusted heels. Louis Vuitton. Jimmy Choo. Christian Louboutin.

I shake my head incredulously. When did Gunner find time to go on an extravagant shopping spree?

Grinning dazedly, I pull a garment bag off the rack, unzip it and remove an evening gown that makes me gasp.

The dress is a stunning shade of red. It’s made of silk with a fitted bodice, plunging neckline and an open back. It’s glamorous, sexy and outrageously expensive.

When I see the designer’s name sewn inside, I almost pass out. Zuhair Murad! No freaking way!

Shimmying with excitement, I hold the dress up against my body and stare at my reflection in the wardrobe mirror. It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever owned. Like something you’d see at a red carpet movie premiere.

Hearing a knock on the door, I spin from the mirror with a slightly panicked expression. Despite Gunner’s insistence that Mrs. Calder knows about our affair, I’m not comfortable with having it all out in the open. What if she thinks less of me? What if she thinks I’m hopelessly naïve, or worse, an opportunistic gold digger?

I carefully drape the dress over the back of an accent chair, then step from the closet and call out, “Come in.”

Mrs. Calder enters the room with Sansa trailing at her heels. “Good morning, dear. Gunner says you were up late studying, so he wanted me to make sure you don’t oversleep.”

“Nope. I’m up.”

“I see that.” There’s a sparkle in her eyes. “Have you started packing?”

“Um, not yet.” I hesitate, staring at her. “You know about the trip?”

“Of course, dear. But don’t ask me where you’re going. It’s a surprise.”

I break into a silly grin.

“Since he won’t be here, Gunner gave the rest of us the weekend off. So Mr. Leland is visiting his family in Houston, and I’m joining my eldest daughter and her family at Lake Tahoe. I’d like to take Sansa with me, if that’s all right with you.”

“Of course,” I say without hesitation.

Mrs. Calder smiles. “My grandchildren are going to love her.”

“Like their grandma,” I point out teasingly. “And to think I was worried that you hated cats.”

“Heavens, no. Whatever gave you that idea?”

“During my interview, you practically recoiled in horror when I mentioned having a cat.”

“Did I?” She sighs. “I was probably thinking of Gunner. He’s always been adamantly opposed to having pets in the house. You were my top candidate, and I was afraid owning a cat would disqualify you. But here you are, both of you. So all’s well that ends well, right?”

“Definitely,” I agree, returning her smile.

“Now then,” she says, clapping her hands together. “May I see your dress?”

“Absolutely!”

She follows me into the closet, where I carefully pick up the haute couture dress and hug it close to my heart. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”