Page 23 of Older Hotter Grumpier
“I can’t tell you.”
She closes her eyes, so I lean down and place soft kisses on her neck. She whimpers. My girl is so responsive for me. I’m certain she’ll come so easily, just like when she was touching herself in my office. When I reach her ear I murmur, “Tell me. Whisper it, just like you told me about the book.”
However she needs to say it.
“Don’t make me,” she begs, hiding her face in my shoulder even as her hand creeps up, brushing my neck before combing into my hair and holding me.
I brush my cheek on hers, then press a kiss to that smooth skin. “Generous salary, unreasonable boss, will require you to be on call seven days a week for adorable children, and a husband who wants to fuck you.”
“An unreasonable husband and a boss who wants to fuck me?” She peeks up and a wistful smile creeps to the edge of her mouth. “This sounds like a lot to deal with.”
“Then say yes.”
“No.”
I smooth my hands down the curves of her body, and although she’s saying no, she’s holding my hair so firmly I’m sure this isn’t an issue that she doesn’t want me. She’s not letting go.
“Why not, Ella?”
There’s a beat of silence and I think of all the reasons she could say. That I’m too old for her. That’s the only one I can’t resolve. Everything else is negotiable. Me being a mafia boss? Fine, I’ll change my career. My grumpy personality? I’ll smile if she’s with me.
“Why can’t you be my wife?”
“Because I love you.”
It’s electric.
I tug against her grip on my hair so I can see her face, ignoring the tear of pain because my heart is exploding with happiness, heady and sweet as spiced sugary alcohol, to every part of my body.
“Say it again,” I order her.
Her hazel eyes meet mine and in the flecks of gold and green and grey, I read that, reluctant as she is, this is the truth.
“A year and a half, Rafe. I’ve wanted you for eighteen long months. I’m not going to torture myself—”
“Forty years. I’ve been waiting for you for forty years.”
She blinks in confusion.
“I’ve been waiting to fall in love for my whole life. I never believed it would happen until you implanted yourself into my office as my assistant. And I’ve been stalking you since the beginning.” Fuck it. If she loves me, I’m all in.
There’s a suspicious expression on her face, but she still hasn’t relinquished her grip on my hair.
“I thought so…” she whispers. “All those times you were waiting outside my building when you picked me up to work on the weekend.”
“I couldn’t stay away,” I confess hoarsely. “Ever since I met you, I craved you.”
“My boss…” There’s wonder in her tone. “Myboss.”
“Possessive little sunshine dragon,” I whisper. “I’m yours. I always was.”
“I can’t believe it. My gorgeous boss being in love with me isn’t real. This is something that happens to heroines in books, not normal girls like me.”
Well, if that’s easier, I’ll try that route to ensuring she understands. “I still didn’t hear exactly about that book you were reading. How does it end?”
She groans. “It’s so embarrassing.”
“Perfect. Tell me.” I like to see my girl blush.
