Page 114 of Boss of Me

When the orgasmic waves recede and our bodies relax into a warm bliss, he releases my hands so he can caress my cheek. Then he brushes his lips over my eyelids, my nose, and finally, my mouth.

I love you.

Gunner stares into my eyes so intently, I wonder if I said the words aloud.

But then he rolls off me onto his back, tucking me against his chest with my leg slung over his thighs. I sigh rapturously, soaking up his delicious heat as I reflect on my newfound revelation.

I love this man. Deeply. Completely. Irrevocably.

I don’t know when it happened or how it will affect the future. Right now it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters but this moment.

We lay there sated, enjoying the warm salty air as we gaze up at the night sky. The stars seem closer than ever and the towering mountain peaks stand out in stark silhouette. It feels like we’re the only two people on the island.

“I wish we didn’t have to go home,” I whisper. “I wish we could stay here forever.”

“Me, too.” Gunner nuzzles my hair with his cheek as the boat bobs beneath us. “We’ll definitely come back. If not here, then one of my other homes.”

“You have more?” Of course he does.

“I own villas in Fiji, Switzerland and Lake Como, Italy. I’ll let you pick where we go next.”

A warm feeling spreads throughout my body. “It really doesn’t matter, as long as we’re together.”

Gunner shifts to prop himself up on one elbow. Gazing down at me, he strokes his knuckles down my cheek, his touch as gentle as his expression. “You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.”

My heart flutters in my chest. As he lowers his mouth to mine, I link my hands behind his neck to hold him close to me.

No matter what tomorrow brings, I’ll never forget this magical night or the amazing man who made my dreams a reality.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

marlowe

The morning after we return fromHawaii, I lay in bed drifting in and out of sleep. My limbs feel deliciously heavy, my mind flooded with memories of Gunner and me making love in our tropical hideaway.

I don’t want to get up. I want to stay right where I am, warm and cozy and wonderfully content. But something tugs at my consciousness, dragging me awake. When I open my eyes, I find Gunner sitting at my side watching me sleep.

He’s wearing dark suit pants and his hair is damp, water droplets rolling down his bare chest. The tenderness in his gaze fills me with a sweet ache.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he murmurs.

“Good morning.” I give him a dreamy smile, lying on my stomach with my head resting on my folded arms. “You’re up early. The sun’s barely out.”

“I know. Gotta head into the office and get up to speed on everything.” He buries his hand in my hair and leans down to seal his mouth over mine.

Waves of pleasure spiral through me, heating my blood. I breathe him in, my senses flooded with the intoxicating scent of his skin, his freshly shampooed hair and minty cool mouth.

He pulls slowly away, tracing my bottom lip with his thumb as I lift my heavy lids to meet his gaze.

“Hello again,” he whispers.

“Hello, yourself,” I whisper back.

He smiles softly, spreading my hair over the pillow. “Mrs. Calder and Mr. Leland won’t be back until tomorrow. So we’ll have the house to ourselves tonight.”

“Oh my,” I say with a naughty smile. “Whatever shall we do with ourselves?”

“Oh, I can think of a thing or two,” he murmurs, pressing his lips between my shoulder blades.