Page 27 of The Boss

"Yeah." My lungs are still trying to pull in air, every nerve rippling with aftershocks. "You're incredible, beautiful." I get up on an elbow. "We have a project to start tonight."

"Yeah? Is it something that can be done lying down?"

"Yup. Let me bring you a snack and the laptop."

"Laptop?"

"You're the organization queen. We’re going to start a file filled with diamond ring styles, and you can rate them on a scale of one to ten."

She rolls toward me. "It's way too soon to be thinking about that."

"Yeah, but if we do that part right now, it'll be a surprise when you open that little box. Someday. Down the road."

Etta laughs. "If you mean a photo collection, sure. It'll be fun. Like arts and crafts time."

"Exactly."

She doesn't realize that by “down the road”, I mean within a couple of months. My beautiful, sweet Etta has never had a home that truly felt like hers. I don't think that keys to this house will be enough. But when I redecorate for her, and slip a ring on her finger, then I think she'll believe it.

We’re meant to be.

And she’s going to be the boss of our home. Forever.

EPILOGUE

ETTA

* One Year Later *

This is the first time I’ve been completely in the dark about a plan and been okay with it.

I trust Boss completely. So even though I don't know where we’re going or what we’re doing from day to day on this holiday, I’m completely relaxed about it. I don't have to organize or plan. It’s incredible.

Sighing softly, I lean back against his firm, wide chest as his thick arm wraps around my waist. Staring off into the sunset over the river, I can't believe this is my life. The balcony of this five-star hotel is practically a private patio.

"Tired, baby?"

"Maybe just a little. In the good way."

"Don't worry, tomorrow will be a lot less walking," my new husband chuckles, giving me a squeeze. Then he lifts my left hand to kiss my fingers just above my sparkling engagement ring and wedding band.

"Am I allowed to ask what we're doing tomorrow?" I ask.

"I figure after two days of hard-core sightseeing, we're best to lay low. Just stroll around some galleries and shops within a few blocks of the hotel. Have a leisurely lunch. Maybe go for a swim." He chuckles. “We can go back to that café with the incredible cheese bread, if you like.”

“Mmm, that all sounds amazing.” I shift to wrap an arm around his neck so I'm sitting in his lap. "And the day after that?"

"Lots of little surprises." His eyebrows waggle mischievously. Don't worry. I'll make sure I have the energy to do my husbandly duty as much as you like."

His eyes light up when I laugh. After the first day of sightseeing, my feet hurt a bit. So he decided he had to give me a long foot massage, since it was “his fault”. Hey, if that's his train of logic, I'm fine with it.

"I don't even know how long we're staying. Are we going anywhere else besides Rome?"

Boss snorts. “I can't tell you all my important honeymoon secrets. You're supposed to just relax, see the sights, and eat too much."

"Fine." I roll my eyes. "I guess I can handle being spoiled some more."

His expression becomes suddenly serious. "One thing I should probably mention…"