Page 158 of Perfect Satisfaction

“Why did you do that?” I prop myself up on his chest.

“I love your name.”

“Ursula?”

“Ursula Kayla Ronan. It’s the most beautiful name in the world.”

I lean down to kiss him for such a sweet statement. “All right. I’ll bite. Tell me, what does my name mean?”

Arek begins shaking with laughter. I narrow my gaze at him. “What’s so funny?”

“Just what you said.”

“What does my name mean?” I quirk a brow.

“Not that part.” He tugs me toward him and begins in reverse. “Ronan, your new surname—for eternity, mind you.”

“Of course.”

“Means little seal.” He frowns thoughtfully. “That, too, is ironic, considering you can see the occasional seal from my grandfather’s house.”

“Can we go there?” I ask eagerly.

“Absolutely.” He kisses me before sharing, “Kayla means slim and fair. It’s as if your parents knew how delicate you would feel in my arms.”

“Arek,” I murmur. This time I’m the one who kisses him.

It takes us longer to come up for air. He’s as hard as a rock beneath me. He growls, “But your ‘I’ll bite’ comment was particularly apt since Ursula means little bear.”

That’s when I start giggling. “Okay, now that’s fair.”

He gets a quizzical look on his face. “Why does this surprise you? Has no one ever told you how they picked out your name?”

I’m about to open my mouth to share the bitter reality of my childhood when he rolls me beneath him. Soon, I’m not thinking of more than this man—my husband.

Just as I drift off in his arms, he whispers, “Sleep well, little bear.”

I lean backward, as far as I can from him, yet his hand is still there.

Waiting.

I stare at it as I drift off into a nightmare where I’m flung off the plane by beautiful women in heels and my father shouting how I’ll have to be satisfied with not being perfect.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-NINE

Unless you have an in, few have access to the corporate headquarters of Moore Software Worldwide (NYSE). I managed to sneak onto the grounds while traveling this past week.

After I left, I’ve come to a few conclusions.

First, I’m confident you could launch the next International Space Station from their employee cafeteria.

Second, West Moore was a megalomaniac for having a tomb built on the company grounds. I mean, what if Joshua Basset decides to relocate MSW to Dubai?

Third, there’s a free coffee bar in every building.

I’m certain I could find a job I’m qualified for. I wonder if they are hiring?

—StellaNova