Yeah, except this engagement has an expiration date on it. I shake the thought off. It won’t change anything to think about it anymore.
–Max: You know what? You’ve had one too many bad relationships, and he probably has, too. You couldn’t even come half the time with your shitty exes. So just ride your hottie and see if his dick’s magical and gives you what you need.
–Max: If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just get you an annual subscription to Silicone Dream’s Year of Coming First.
–Me: What’s that?
–Max: They send you some of their best toys in a discreet package. I did it last year. A-ma-zing!
–Me: So why did you quit?
–Max: Because some fucker discovered it.
I can practically feel her grinding her teeth. She doesn’t refer to many people as “fuckers.” But there’s no way she could be talking about her boss. Could she?
–Me: Gotta get ready for work. Talk to you later.
One more round of searching, but still no underwear.Argh. Where did they go? I want to keep looking, but if I don’t hurry up, I’m going to be late for work.
I grab my purse and phone and head downstairs. Josh is already at the counter, sipping tea and reviewing some documents. I slow my pace to take him in. Impeccably shaved, he’s in one of his favorite navy three-piece suits. A dark burgundy tie completes the look, perfectly knotted. As usual, not a strand of hair is out of place. He always exudes such an easy confidence and competence. Even at home, where you’d think he’d be at ease, he looks ready to conquer the world.
“Good morning.” My voice is slightly breathless. But then, it’s difficult to control myself around him, especially after the kiss. It smashed the barrier I’d maintained between us—to keep things professional and clean.
Josh lifts his head, then stares at me for a moment, his eyes slightly narrowed as he studies me from head to toe. I resist the urge to shift, hoping he likes what he sees.
Finally, he smiles, showing straight white teeth. “Morning.”
The butterflies in my belly launch. Or maybe they’re doing cartwheels. Hard to tell from the sensation in my gut. His eyes are intense as they focus on me.
“Isn’t blue your favorite color?”
I nod.
“Looks fantastic on you.”
Forget the lousy million. I feel like abillionbucks.
“Come here.” My feet obey before my mind can process. He picks up a discreet velvet box next to his documents. “Your engagement ring.” He pops the lid open.
A large, round blue stone sits in the center of a gorgeous platinum band. Smaller blue stones dot the smooth surface around it. It radiates class and elegant beauty, much like the man himself.
“Sapphires,” he explains. “Thought the stones suited you better.” He lifts his eyes to meet mine. “Unique, charming, lovely.”
When he looks at me like that, Ifeelunique, charming and lovely. Not only that, he makes me believe I deserve to be valued and loved, something I don’t often feel. Warm emotions knot in my throat, and I have to swallow before I can speak. “This is the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. Thank you.”
With a satisfied grunt, he plucks the ring from the box, holding it between his thumb and forefinger. He takes my left hand, his upturned palm supporting mine. The touch is innocent, but sends a mini electric shock that I can feel all the way to my curling toes. The pads of his thumb and forefinger caress my ring finger as he pushes the ring along the length. My heart races, as though it’s pulsing in my hand where he’s touching. Finally, the band settles snugly. The stones sparkle, looking like a choker around my finger, marking me as taken—and as his.
Everything inside me shivers, even as I try to remind myself not to get too crazy becausethis isn’t real.
“It’s more beautiful than I imagined,” I say with a tremulous smile. “Thanks, boss.” I use the term deliberately to cool my foolish heart.
He raises an eyebrow. “Say that again.”
The intense heat in his eyes chokes the air out of me. “Thanks, boss.”
His eyes flick to my finger. I feel it like it was his finger flicking over my core. I clench my thighs.
“I thought we already established that I’m not ‘boss.’”
