One Bossy Offer (136)

“Only the best. My kitten is demanding.”

Cream lets out a loud yip! of agreement.

“Any chance I can use this place for wedding pictures and include it in my packages?” she asks with bated breath.

“Woman, what part of yours don’t you understand? You can use this place to dance around naked in the moonlight for all I care. Hell, I might endorse that use more than anything.”

“Stop!” Laughing, she smacks my chest just as the elevator stops on the top floor.

“Between the new boat tours, the fresh honey, and a flipping lighthouse... I think Bee Harbor is in for a strong year.”

“Yeah,” I agree as the doors slide open and I give her a minute to soak it in.

I know she’ll need it.

Jenn gasps at the floor-to-ceiling view of the ocean.

“Oh. My. God.” She walks straight to the window and sits down in front of it on the bench nearby. “This is straight from a dream, Miles. You’ve done so much for me...”

“I told you, we’re partners. What’s good for you is better for me. Just one problem.”

Her face tenses. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to formalize this partnership.”

“Well, yeah. I’ve always told you I’d sign a contract, whatever you want, and even repay you for your investments.”

I shake my head slowly, trying not to laugh at her clueless expression. “No. I have something else in mind.”

She stares at me, her eyes wide with wonder even before I make my move.

I drop to one knee, retrieve the velvet box from my pocket, and flip it open.

“Oh my—oh my God! Miles!” she gasps, looking into the box. “It’s a bee? Itsabee!”

She flies up and hugs my neck so fast it bowls me over.

I go down laughing, bracing as she stamps a dozen kisses on my neck, my lips, my everything.

I deepen the kiss as long as she lets me.

“Technically, I was supposed to ask for a yes, but if that’s your answer—”

She giggles until she’s red in the face. “Miles Cromwell, you know I love you.”

“Enough to be Jennifer Cromwell? That was the question.”

Her eyes ripple like polished jade.

“God, yes. I’ve wanted this forever.”

I kiss her again, pushing her to the ground. The dogs are crouched behind her, and I hold up a finger in warning, asking them to stay.

“I would have asked sooner, but I couldn’t chance scaring you off.”

She’s shaking her head fiercely as Coffee reaches his limit.

The big black dog rushes us, nosing into the action so he can lick the side of my face. Like always, Cream follows, burying Jenn in about thirty sloppy dog kisses.

I think the entire lighthouse shakes from how hard we’re laughing now.

When they finally let us up, we’ve got two hellhounds between us.

I look at Coffee. “Not cool, dude. You made my girl move.”

Jenn stands and I come up on one knee again.

“Why are you still on your knees?”

“Because there’s one thing you didn’t let me do.” I take the ring from the box and slide it on her finger.

“Miles, it’s gorgeous,” she whispers.

I’m inclined to agree.

We enjoy a quiet moment, entirely lost in each other, until the elevator dings again. The unexpected flash of light makes Jenn jump and burrow her face into my chest.

“Excellent timing, you guys!” The photographer steps out of the elevator.

Jenn blinks at me in shock.

“Before you ask, yes, you can use it as promo for the wedding packages, but I wanted a few for us first.” I get back on my feet, pull my fiancée tight, and slide an arm around her waist. “We’re the first engagement shoot here.”

She beams like the sun. “I love your insanity so much.”

“Love you, too, kitten.”





29





No Final Offer (Jenn)





Four Months Later





I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror in Gram’s old room, absolutely awestruck.

My heart skips every time I do a slow turn.

Is that girl in the mirror really me?

With a smile so happy it breaks me, Mom adjusts the veil around my updo. “Oh, Jennifer. You’ve never looked prettier in your life.”

“Thank you.”

She hugs me, releasing a long sigh that turns into a nervous laugh. “Silly me. You’re a bundle of nerves and I’m the one who’s not ready for this. Promise me you’ll visit as often as you can?”

“Mom, I’m fine. I’m just a few hours from Seattle, and I already lived here. Not much is changing.”

“Not quite,” she says gently. “My baby girl is all grown up and she’s marrying a billionaire.”

“You’re being way too dramatic.”

“One day, Jenn.” Her eyes mist over as she clasps her hands. “One fine day, you’ll be a mom, and then you’ll understand.”

Will I? We’ve never talked much about kids.

And for now, I’m okay with that.

Everything with Miles has always been about the journey more than the destination.