His hand drops to my ass possessively and the smirk that follows is pure, wicked promise. “Can’t wait to show you every last inch.”
I drag him in for another kiss, hungry and reckless, but he separates with a low chuckle, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. “Fuck. I forgot to ask. What’s the donation count?”
“I don’t care,” I growl, frustrated, and reach for him again, but his laugh rumbles against my mouth, stopping me cold.
“That’s cute. But we both know you better than that.”
I’m already towing him to the monitors, our hands wrapped in each other like we’re superglued. I snatch up my iPad, the screen bursts to life, and—
Holy. Mother. Of. Sea. Lions.
“Did we hit three mill?” Cole crowds behind me, his chin resting on my shoulder.
I swallow, my heart hammering. “No. We did better. Six point two million.”
His arms band around me, crushing me close, his voice rough with pride. “You did it!”
“We did it, Hartwell.”
Cole drags me in and kisses me like oxygen is optional.
His mouth skims my ear. “So this is how it works now, Stopwatch? Kissing the boss is part of the job?”
“I hate that nickname.”
“Fine.” He says, tapping his chin. “How about Boss Babe? Pain In My Ass, With Benefits? Trouble In Heels… Or, I got it, My Favorite Handful?”
“I will fire you.”
“You love me.”
I huff. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“Mm.” His palms settle at my waist, thumbs tracing slow, distracting patterns. “You’re closer than you think.”
“We’ll see,” I say, and even I don’t believe it.
“Good. Because I’ve got a plan to help you decide.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re making plans now?”
“Special occasion.” His hand trails upward, a ghost of a touch grazing the side of my breast. “You. Me. My place. Bring the red lace.”
“And then?” I challenge, my pulse a frantic rhythm in my throat.
His smile turns lethal.
“Then we seal the deal.”
His kiss swallows my response and something inside me shatters. Every thought, every doubt, every reason why this shouldn’t happen vanishes.
There is only this moment. This truth.
I know, deep in my soul,I am chosen.
Deal.
Sealed.
