by Marika Ray
“I can’t believe I found you,” he whispered brokenly.
We hugged while everyone cheered around us. We didn’t break apart until Rip whacked Jayden on the arm with the pillow. There, tied to the center, was a huge diamond engagement ring. Jayden pulled it off the pillow and gestured for my hand. I gave it to him, watching in awe as he slid the rock on my finger.
I raised the hand with the symbol of our love for each other, laying it on his cheek and staring into his eyes.
“I have a surprise for you too.”
His beautiful full eyebrows drew together. “You do?”
I nodded, then looked away to point to my bag lying in the sand. “Girls, will you grab my bag for me?”
Hazel jumped up and grabbed it, bringing it to me. I dug inside, finally seeing what I wanted. I handed the stapled documents to Jayden, his confusion only growing.
“I, um, took the liberty of contacting a lawyer. He drew up the paperwork for me to adopt Red. Officially be his mama. You just have to sign it.”
Jayden froze and doubt slammed into my chest. I may have just ruined everything. He didn’t want that and I’d put him on the spot after he’d asked me to marry him.
I was such a dickweed.
I started to scramble to my feet when Jayden body-slammed me, taking me down onto my back, sand flying everywhere.
He kissed every square inch of my face, ending with my mouth, his tongue demanding entrance. I gave it to him, the doubt dissipating the longer and deeper he kissed me. There was nothing simple about this kiss. It was promise and trust and forever and always. Everything disappeared except for him and me and this endless night sky where time froze and dreams became real.
He finally pulled back, laying a last kiss on the tip of my nose. A single tear fell down his cheek, telling me exactly what he thought of my surprise. “Red and I are so lucky to have you.”
My smile was shaky, but my confidence was anything but. We’d beat the odds. We’d be the couple who made it to their golden years, reminiscing about all the crazy years we lived together. I could feel it in my bones.
“It was the mustache that made you say yes, wasn’t it?” Jayden winked at me, that mischievous grin that did something in the juncture of my thighs.
I giggled, so happy I just might be levitating. “Oh hell no. It was your eyes, your dimples, your forearms, and that voice of yours.”
“Oh, is that all?”
I shook my head, more sand seeping into my hair. “And then it was your heart.”
Jayden leaned down to kiss me again, the unmistakable heat in his eyes.
A familiar throat cleared, interrupting us with his lips a millimeter away.
“I know you love her, son, but you gotta let her up so her mom and I can congratulate her.”
I blinked and saw my father standing over us. I pushed Jayden, whose face had gone slack, and scrambled to my feet, heat building in my cheeks.
“Dad!”
Mom stood next to him, tears conflicting with the huge smile on her face. Lukas stood there smirking next to Mom. My whole family had been here to witness Jayden’s proposal.
Mom didn’t waste a second, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. Dad joined her and even Lukas dropped the cool guy act long enough to pat my head. I looked over Mom’s shoulder at Jayden, who stood back smiling at us.
“You did this?”
“I told you I’d give you everything. I meant it, Nora.”
The tears came again and they didn’t stop the whole time I was passed from one friend to another, each of them hugging me and congratulating us on our engagement and official adoption. I finally found myself back in Jayden’s arms, the stars above us, the fire before us, and the diamond on my finger picking it all up, flashing rainbows of color.
Who knew giving one mysterious man a ride would end up taking me on the wildest ride of all?
Not quite done with your trip to Hell? Read Uber Bossy’s extended epilogue! Grab it here!
Acknowledgments
Thank you so much for reading Uber Bossy! I’ve never been so thankful for top notch Uber drivers like when I traveled to a third world country with only a barely passing knowledge of the language and had to rely on local drivers. I didn’t meet one named Lenora, but I did ride with one who gave out hugs, free of charge.
If you loved Uber Bossy, please support the series by leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads so other readers can find it and enjoy it too. Reviews help other readers determine if a book is to their liking and they help indie authors sell more books so we can keep writing. If you hated it, please disregard this entire paragraph. : )
Special thanks to Rachel Connolly for the incredible Cover Design and dealing with my complete lack of graphics knowledge. Thanks to Lawrence Editing for cleaning this book up and fixing all my erroneous dash uses. I’m so sorry. Thank you also to Judy Zweifel for triple checking this manuscript and making it shine as usual.
To my Rays of Sunshine: you give me life. <3
About the Author
Marika Ray is a national bestselling author, writing steamy RomCom and sweet romances to make your heart explode and bring a smile to your face. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.
Marika spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy.
If you'd like to know more about Marika or the other novels she’s currently writing, please find her on Facebook, or her private Reader Group.
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Also by Marika Ray
Steamy RomComs:
Love Bank - Jobs From Hell #1
Uber Bossy - Jobs From Hell #2
***
The Missing Ingredient - Reality of Love #1
Mom-Com - Reality of Love #2
Desperately Seeking Househusbands - Reality of Love #3
***
Happy New You - Standalone
Sweet Romances:
The Marriage Sham - Standalone
***
The Widower’s Girlfriend-Faking It #1
Home Run Fiancé - Faking It #2
Guarding the Princess - Faking It #3
***
Lines We Cross - Nickel Bay Brothers #1
Beach Squad Series/Steamy Beach Romance:
1) Sweet Dreams
2) Beach B!tch
3) Barefoot Chaos
* Novella - Handcuffed Hussy
4) Beach Bum Billion-Heiress
5) Brighter Than the Boss
* Novella - Christmas Eve Do-Over
