Page 109 of Boss of Me

“Told you,” Gunner whispers against my ear, palming my hip possessively as he guides me toward the limo.

David opens the back door for us with an elegant flourish. “Enjoy your evening.”

The driver takes us to a fancy restaurant nestled on a bluff overlooking the coast. The tuxedoed maître d’ greets Gunner effusively and escorts us to a private glass elevator that whisks us up to the top floor.

When the doors open, I let out a soft gasp.

Huge wraparound windows provide a panoramic view of the ocean. There are illuminated trees and the walls are covered with moss. I feel like we just stepped into an enchanted forest. The atmosphere is so romantic that I nearly swoon at Gunner’s feet.

The maître d’ guides us to a candlelit table by the windows. We’re the only two diners on the entire floor.

Seconds after we’re seated, a waiter and sommelier arrive to take our order. Gunner selects a delicate Chablis from the wine cellar. I’m too excited to focus on the menu, so I let him choose our entrées as well.

“This place is amazing,” I rave once we’re alone. “How did you get reservations on such short notice? Or do I even have to ask?”

He smiles enigmatically. “I have my ways.”

I stare at him as comprehension dawns. “Don’t tell me you own the restaurant.”

“Okay. I won’t tell you.”

“Seriously?” I laugh, shaking my head at him. “Tech and energy companies. Restaurants. Hotels. Nightclubs. You really believe in diversifying your portfolio, don’t you?”

“Something like that.” His eyes hold mine, sending warm tingles along my skin. “You look absolutely ravishing, Marlowe. I can’t take my eyes off you.”

Deep satisfaction curls through my veins. “I feel like a goddess in this dress.”

“You are a goddess,” he says huskily. “And you’re mine.”

His words electrify me, causing my breath to hitch. Every fiber of my being knows what he said is the truth. Iamhis. His and his alone.

With soft music playing in the background, we dine on raw oysters and grilled mahi mahi prepared tableside. The meal is delicious and the ambience is dreamy perfection.

We savor our food, laughing and talking quietly as warm candlelight dances across our faces.

“What were you like in high school?” Gunner asks over dessert.

“Pretty much the same as I am now.”

“So, a smartass?”

At my narrowed eyes, he laughs low in his throat.

I smile before eating a forkful of guava chiffon cake, enjoying the tangy flavor of the Hawaiian dessert. “Seriously though, I was an introvert in high school. I mean, I had a few close friends that I hung out with, but I generally preferred my own company.”

“What about your sister? Aren’t you two close?”

“Very close. We did everything together. But she’s three years older than me, so she had her own friends and social life. She was captain of the debate team and a star volleyball player, so she was pretty popular.”

Gunner smiles, watching me lick a spot of icing off my fork. “What about you? What extracurricular activities were you involved in?”

“I played piano for our school’s jazz ensemble. When we weren’t performing recitals, I volunteered at the library and local animal shelters.”

“Yeah?” The way Gunner hangs on my every word warms me from the inside out like fine whiskey.

“A typical Saturday for me was leading story time at the library and then helping with pet adoption events,” I add, smiling.

He feeds me a bite of his cake, staring at my mouth. “What about boyfriends?”