Page 34 of My Grumpy Boss

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I smile down at her, pressing our foreheads together again. “I love you, Hazel. I have since the moment I met you. I’m sorry I didn’t say the words this weekend. Fuck, I’m sorry I didn’t say them ten months ago.”

“You love—but this morning?”

I sigh against her lips. “I was worried that you wouldn’t want people to know. I realized once I left that I should have asked you how you wanted to play it. At the office, you seemed normal, so I fell back into that routine too.”

Her eyes widen. “I was waiting foryouto do something to see how you felt.”

“We’re idiots.”

She laughs softly. “Yep, we are.”

I cradle her face and hold her gaze. “I love you, Hazel.”

She smiles happily, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I love you too, Hudson.”

The missing piece of my heart slips into place.

I kiss her again before I can stop myself. Not frantic. Not desperate. This kiss is deep and slow and devastatingly tender.

Hazel sighs into my mouth, her hands sliding up my chest and around my neck as I hold her face carefully between my palms. I kiss her like I’ve got forever to do it. Like I’m learning every soft breath and quiet sound she makes.

I scoop my girl into my arms and carry her toward my car.

“Where are we going?”

I shiver as her warm breath teases my ear. “I’m taking you home.”

“My place or yours?”

“Ours. You’re moving in with me.”

“I am?”

“Uh-huh. I can’t spend another minute without you. I want you with me always.”

“Always,” she agrees.

I set her on her feet and open the passenger door.

She leans up and presses a kiss to my lips that’s over far too soon. “Take me home, Hudson.”

Hazel slips into the car, and I grin as I close the door and jog around the car to do just that.

TEN

Hazel

Five Years Later…

“Hazel.”

“Hmm?” I mumble as I stir the batter, keeping my eyes on the mixing bowl in front of me.

My husband appears beside me like he’s sensed my discomfort, one big hand instantly settling on my lower back. “Why are you standing?”

I blink up at him. “Because I have legs?”

His eyes narrow. “You said your back hurt.”

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