Page 16 of Grumpy Alien Boss

CHAPTER 16

DAR

" W hat about this one?" The jeweler points to a gaudy monstrosity that would look more at home on a rapper's pinky finger.

"No. Show me something worthy of a warrior queen."

"Ah." His eyes light up. He unlocks a different case and brings out a tray of rings that sparkle like captured starlight. "These are our finest pieces."

My gaze fixes on one particular ring. The diamond catches the light like a prism, sending rainbow fragments dancing across the glass counter. Golden ivy leaves curl around the stone in an intricate embrace, reminding me of how Olivia's fingers intertwine with mine.

"That one."

The jeweler's hands tremble as he lifts it. "Excellent taste, sir. This is a five-carat..."

I tune out his sales pitch. The ring speaks to me of strength and beauty combined - just like my Olivia. The woman who faced down grolgath without flinching deserves nothing less.

"Would you like to discuss our payment plans?"

"Payments?" I laugh. The concept seems absurd. "I'll pay cash."

His eyes widen as I pull out my wallet. The price tag might make most humans balk, but what's money compared to finding your true mate? Besides, Rook Enterprises earned enough last quarter to buy this entire store.

The ring box feels warm in my pocket. Soon it will be on Olivia's finger, marking her as mine in both human and Vakutan traditions.

The lobby sparkles with silver and gold decorations. My staff outdid themselves - though a few raises might be in order for keeping this secret. The ring box weighs heavy in my pocket as I check the time. Everything's perfect.

I pull out my phone and dial Olivia's extension.

"Mr. Rook, what a pleasant surprise." Her voice drips with playful insolence.

"I need you in the lobby. Immediately."

"Mmm, but I'm so comfortable up here. Make me."

Heat rushes through me at her bratty tone. She knows exactly what buttons to push.

"Olivia." I let a growl enter my voice. "Come down to the lobby. Now."

A soft moan travels through the phone, straight to my groin. "Yes, Sir."

The line goes dead and I adjust my tie, scanning the decorations one final time. Streamers cascade from the ceiling like a metallic waterfall. Balloons cluster in strategic corners, ready for their cue. The small fireworks are primed to spray harmless sparkles once she says yes.

If she says yes.

My hands aren't steady as I touch the ring box again. I've faced down entire squadrons of grolgath with less nervousness than I feel right now.

The elevator chimes. My warrior queen is coming.

The elevator doors slide open and Olivia steps out, her green eyes narrowing as she takes in the decorated lobby. Her lips part in surprise, but a knowing smirk plays at the corners of her mouth.

My heart pounds as I stride toward her. The ring box burns in my pocket like a plasma core about to breach containment. In one fluid motion, I drop to one knee before her.

Her eyes widen, glistening with unshed tears. The silence stretches between us as I pull out the box and open it. The diamond catches the light, throwing rainbow sparkles across her face. But she doesn't speak.

"Olivia, what are you doing?" I whisper, my voice rougher than intended. "You're supposed to give me an answer."

"Maybe I'm just memorizing the sight of you, kneeling." Her voice carries that familiar teasing lilt. "Since I'll be the one on my knees for the rest of our marriage."

My breath catches. "So, you're saying yes?"

"Hmm." She taps her chin, pretending to consider it. Her eyes dance with mischief. "Oh, sure, why not?"

The balloons cascade down around us in a flurry of silver and gold, the streamers fluttering like ribbons of light. The small fireworks erupt in bursts of harmless sparkles, painting the air around Olivia in glittering fragments. She’s radiant, her green eyes wide with wonder, her red hair catching the glow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her more beautiful.

I pull her into me, my hands cradling her face as I kiss her. Her lips are soft, eager, and I can feel her smile against mine. For a moment, everything is perfect. The world shrinks to just us, the sparkles raining down like stardust, the sound of the lobby fading into silence.

Then I smell it. Smoke.

I pull back just in time to see a stray firework catch the edge of a streamer. The flame licks up the paper, curling it black before spreading to the next one.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter.

Olivia’s laughter bubbles up before I can even process what’s happening. “Dar, your proposal’s on fire.”

The sprinklers kick in with a vengeance, drenching everything in sight. Water pours down in icy sheets, soaking my suit, flattening Olivia’s hair, and turning the balloon-strewn floor into a slippery, soggy mess. The lobby erupts into chaos as employees scatter, papers and decorations ruined.

Olivia’s laugh is infectious, her shoulders shaking as she hugs herself against the cold. Her blouse clings to her skin, her mascara running down her cheeks in streaks. She looks like a drowned kitten, and I can’t help but laugh with her.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, trying to wring water out of my tie. “This is not how I imagined this going.”

She grins, her teeth chattering but her eyes shining. “You? The great Darwin Rook, master planner, king of efficiency—this was your big romantic moment?”

“I’m better at defeating grolgath than planning proposals, apparently,” I admit, shaking water from my hair.

She steps closer, slipping a little on the wet floor. I catch her by the waist, steadying her. “You know what?” she says, her voice teasing but warm. “This is perfect. It’s us. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.”

“You’re not mad?” I ask, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face.

“Mad?” She laughs, her arms sliding around my neck. “Dar, this is the most memorable marriage proposal I could’ve ever dreamed of. And trust me, I’ve dreamed of a lot of proposals.”

Her lips find mine again, and I don’t care about the water, the soggy decorations, or the ruined suit. All I care about is her, and the fact that she’s mine.

"I've planned everything." My fingers trace over the travel itinerary on my tablet. "First class to Dubai. The Burj Khalifa's presidential suite is already?—"

Olivia's finger presses against my lips, silencing me. The touch sends electricity through my scales, even in human form.

"I just want us to spend time together," she says. "Preferably naked time. Why would I want to go on a trip when I've got a sexy scaled alien Dom who I just love to fuck with?"

The tablet slips from my fingers onto my desk. Heat floods my body at her words, at the way she bites her lower lip. My carefully laid plans scatter like leaves in a storm.

"You don't want to see the world?"

"I want to see you." She slides onto my lap, her skirt riding up her thighs. "All of you. Every. Single. Scale."

My hands find her hips, steadying her. The scent of her arousal fills my nostrils, making my head swim.

"The tickets are non-refundable."

"So?" Her fingers trail down my chest. "You're a billionaire. Besides, I'd rather explore your body than explore Paris."

"Bratty little human." I grip her harder, making her gasp. "Always challenging my decisions."

"Mmm." She grinds against me. "That's why you love me."

She's right. That's exactly why I love her. My warrior queen doesn't need fancy hotels or exotic locales. She just needs me.

And I need her.