the
other loved us, wanted us, was truly there and not just a dream.
This
kiss was slow and tender, a cherishing of each sensation we could
give and receive, a promise of love and safety and security. Our lips
met again and again, teasing and comforting, tantalizing and then
soothing.
“You
know what we should do next?” Grant murmured when we finally
broke contact. “Celebrate.”
I
smiled shyly. “I have a few ideas.”
“Naughty,
naughty,” Grant said with raised eyebrows. “You’ll
certainly have to share those ideas with me soon. You know I value
your contributions.” He took me by the hand and smiled. “I
couldn’t have done this without you.”
• • •
“OMG,
you guys!!” Kate threw her arms around us and embraced us both
at once, crushing us in her love-fueled and
strawberry-daiquiri-scented grip. “You did it! You really did
it! You would not believe how happy I am for you!”
This
was Devlin Media Corp’s official public celebration, following
shortly on the heels of my and Grant’s private one. Everyone
was there—Grant had rented out a football stadium in order to
fit in as many shareholders, employees, and families as wanted to
attend. There was free pizza, booze, three bands Grant had called in,
and fireworks. Now that’s what I’d call a proper company
picnic.
“Thanks,
Kate, I love you too, girl,” I said, laughing and disengaging
gently. “Damn, but my man knows how to throw a party.”
I
leaned back into him, feeling a doofy smile spread across my face.
Not going to lie, my favorite part of this event was how Grant had
kept his arm around me the whole time. I could spend the rest of my
life this way.
He
leaned down and kissed my temple. “Only the best for you,
sugarplum.”
Kate
rolled her eyes. “All right, you lovebirds, watch it. There are
children present.”
She
spotted someone over our shoulder, her eyes widening. “Holy
shit, is that—did you seriously invite—”
“Your
favorite actor to ever play Sherlock Holmes? Yes, yes, we did,”
I said, laughing. “And he’s got an autograph just for
you. I never would have gotten halfway here without your advice,
after all.”
“Girl,
I will give you about a thousand thank-yous later, but right now I
have to go tackle-hug this man!” And Kate was off like a shot.
I
chuckled fondly and let my head fall against Grant’s shoulder.
“You really are amazing. I don’t know what could top
this.”
“Well,
I do have some ideas to start with.” He guided me into a
private patch of shadow and slid two pieces of paper into my hand.
I
gaped at them for several seconds before I could believe my eyes.
“Tickets to the Caribbean?”
He
grinned. “We leave tonight.”
I
stared up at him, blown away by his thoughtfulness and generosity.
“Really? You’re serious?”
That
grin widened, playful and wicked. “Oh, I’m very serious,
Lacey. You’ve earned yourself a decent vacation.” He
leaned in, his hot breath tickling my ear as he growled. “You
see, I’ve been a very bad boss, overworking you so.”
His
hand slid to cup my breast, his fingers circling but not quite
touching my nipple.
My
breath caught in my throat. “Have you heard me complaining?”
“Nonetheless,
now I’m going to make it up to you.” His voice dipped
lower, a sensual growl. “We have a private villa, beachfront.”
“Nice
view?” I asked, trying to be casual even as he set my body on
fire.
“Oh,
I’m hoping for a very nice view indeed.” The glint in his
eyes grew mischievous. “Didn’t I mention? It’s
clothing optional.”
The end.
EPILOGUE
I
lay sprawled on our towel, luxuriating both in the heat of the sun
and the heat of Grant’s bronzed body next to mine.
The
light made the white sands gleam as though we rested on diamonds, and
turned the ocean into a sparkling sapphire, yet a light breeze played
with my hair and kept me cool as it carried the sounds of exotic
birds and a steel drum band
other loved us, wanted us, was truly there and not just a dream.
This
kiss was slow and tender, a cherishing of each sensation we could
give and receive, a promise of love and safety and security. Our lips
met again and again, teasing and comforting, tantalizing and then
soothing.
“You
know what we should do next?” Grant murmured when we finally
broke contact. “Celebrate.”
I
smiled shyly. “I have a few ideas.”
“Naughty,
naughty,” Grant said with raised eyebrows. “You’ll
certainly have to share those ideas with me soon. You know I value
your contributions.” He took me by the hand and smiled. “I
couldn’t have done this without you.”
• • •
“OMG,
you guys!!” Kate threw her arms around us and embraced us both
at once, crushing us in her love-fueled and
strawberry-daiquiri-scented grip. “You did it! You really did
it! You would not believe how happy I am for you!”
This
was Devlin Media Corp’s official public celebration, following
shortly on the heels of my and Grant’s private one. Everyone
was there—Grant had rented out a football stadium in order to
fit in as many shareholders, employees, and families as wanted to
attend. There was free pizza, booze, three bands Grant had called in,
and fireworks. Now that’s what I’d call a proper company
picnic.
“Thanks,
Kate, I love you too, girl,” I said, laughing and disengaging
gently. “Damn, but my man knows how to throw a party.”
I
leaned back into him, feeling a doofy smile spread across my face.
Not going to lie, my favorite part of this event was how Grant had
kept his arm around me the whole time. I could spend the rest of my
life this way.
He
leaned down and kissed my temple. “Only the best for you,
sugarplum.”
Kate
rolled her eyes. “All right, you lovebirds, watch it. There are
children present.”
She
spotted someone over our shoulder, her eyes widening. “Holy
shit, is that—did you seriously invite—”
“Your
favorite actor to ever play Sherlock Holmes? Yes, yes, we did,”
I said, laughing. “And he’s got an autograph just for
you. I never would have gotten halfway here without your advice,
after all.”
“Girl,
I will give you about a thousand thank-yous later, but right now I
have to go tackle-hug this man!” And Kate was off like a shot.
I
chuckled fondly and let my head fall against Grant’s shoulder.
“You really are amazing. I don’t know what could top
this.”
“Well,
I do have some ideas to start with.” He guided me into a
private patch of shadow and slid two pieces of paper into my hand.
I
gaped at them for several seconds before I could believe my eyes.
“Tickets to the Caribbean?”
He
grinned. “We leave tonight.”
I
stared up at him, blown away by his thoughtfulness and generosity.
“Really? You’re serious?”
That
grin widened, playful and wicked. “Oh, I’m very serious,
Lacey. You’ve earned yourself a decent vacation.” He
leaned in, his hot breath tickling my ear as he growled. “You
see, I’ve been a very bad boss, overworking you so.”
His
hand slid to cup my breast, his fingers circling but not quite
touching my nipple.
My
breath caught in my throat. “Have you heard me complaining?”
“Nonetheless,
now I’m going to make it up to you.” His voice dipped
lower, a sensual growl. “We have a private villa, beachfront.”
“Nice
view?” I asked, trying to be casual even as he set my body on
fire.
“Oh,
I’m hoping for a very nice view indeed.” The glint in his
eyes grew mischievous. “Didn’t I mention? It’s
clothing optional.”
The end.
EPILOGUE
I
lay sprawled on our towel, luxuriating both in the heat of the sun
and the heat of Grant’s bronzed body next to mine.
The
light made the white sands gleam as though we rested on diamonds, and
turned the ocean into a sparkling sapphire, yet a light breeze played
with my hair and kept me cool as it carried the sounds of exotic
birds and a steel drum band
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