“Because I can’t take this! And even if I could…it doesn’t change the fact that I feel like I’d just walk away from it all to have you. That’s not normal. Or reasonable.”
He chuckled. “I’m pretty damned sure that’s how love it supposed to be. Being willing to give everything up for the other person, but not actually having to do it because the other person feels the same way.”
I met his eyes. “You’d walk away from Burke Holdings?”
“If you really wanted me to.”
“That’s insane.”
“That’s what love does.”
“Ethan…”
“Lu.”
“Are we really making this leap?”
“Already jumped.” He kissed my forehead, then my lips. “Just waiting for you to catch me.”
“You’re sappy,” I breathed. “But I love you anyway.”
“I have been waiting a lifetime to hear you say that.”
“We met two weeks ago,” I reminded him.
“I know. And I’ve loved you since the second you knocked me flat on my ass. Love at first sight makes it feel like a lifetime. I love you too, Lumia.”
“Then come here and prove it.”
And he did. Several times.
Epilogue
The Wedding
Ethan
Every eye should’ve been on the bride. But for all I cared, Mia’s sister-in-law could have shown up in a hot pink tutu and go-go boots. I was only interested in Mia in her purple satin dress. In the way it hugged her ample curves and contrasted with her red hair. I couldn’t really understand why no one else just wanted to stare. I was thankful, though, because I also wanted her all to myself. Which is why I was glad when the ceremony and dinner were through. And more glad when the dancing started and I could find an excuse to get her alone.
I grabbed her hand and tugged her into the hall, then kissed her until I was sure she needed to gasp for air.
“What?” she teased breathlessly when I released her lips. “Did you get tired of being a spectacle?”
“Being paraded around and awkwardly introduced to your family, you mean?” I replied. “How could I ever get tired of that?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I meant being referred to as ‘the stripper’ by Liv. But that other stuff too.”
“It’s all right. Being ‘the stripper’ gives me street cred.” I leaned down to give her lower lip a nibble.
“Would it be wrong to ditch my own brother’s wedding?” she asked.
“Wrong times a million.”
“Damn it.”
An overhead speaker fizzed to life, and the DJ’s voice carried in. “Ladies, in case you missed it. The brand-new Mrs. Aysia Diaz is about three seconds away from tossing the bouquet. Get your butts in here for your chance to grab it.”
Mia shot me a mischievous grin, then slipped out of my grasp and ran back toward the dance floor.
* * * *
Mia
I dived into the fray at the last second, my hands outstretched just in time to snatch the bouquet from the air. The girls around me squealed and congratulated me, but it was Ethan who held my attention. He stood just outside of the group, his mouth tipped up in that half-smile I loved so much. And it widened when I stepped in his direction.
“Well,” he said, “at least this solves one problem.”
“What problem’s that?” I replied
“That whole labeling thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“That dreaded b-word.” He winked.
I frowned, thinking about it for a second before realizing what he meant. “You mean boyfriend?”
“That’s the one,” he agreed.
“How does it solve the problem?”
“We can skip it altogether and go straight to the f-word instead.”
“The f—oh.”
“I promise I’ll buy you a ring. But first I have a confession.” He smiled sheepishly.
I groaned. “What?”
“Darla and Chuck.”
“Who?”
“The old couple in the elevator.”
“What about them?”
“I paid them.”
I stared at him, waiting for the punch line. But he just looked incredibly sheepish.
“Their story was true, though,” he said. “I heard them telling it in the line at the desk, and I was desperate to give you a nudge.”
“So you paid them to tell it in front of me?” I asked, incredulous.
“Yes. I told them if they saw me again, and I happened to be with the world’s most beautiful redhead, to find a way to share.”
“How much?”
“Two thousand dollars.”
I blinked. “You can’t be serious.”
“Worth every penny,” he said sincerely.
A laugh burst from my lips. “You’re such a manipulative bastard, E. B. Burke.”
He grinned. “I know. And now that that’s out of the way…”
Before I could come up with a clever retort, he bent down and kissed me breathless. Again.
THE END
Don’t miss Marcelo and Aysia’s story. Look for AFTER HOURS, on sale now.
AFTER HOURS
By Melinda Di Lorenzo
Six foot two. Lips to die for. And boy, can the man fill out a suit. The gorgeous stranger sending Aysia Banks steamy looks from across the bar is the perfect way for her to take her mind off her high-stress job, and maybe even forget about her ex.. An invitation to dance leads to a smoldering night, which turns into a weekend of uninhibited, toe-curling, blow-your-mind passion. Things are starting to look up for Aysia—until Monday morning…
Another city, another company to save. It’s nothing new to executive Marcelo Diaz, who’s used to calling the shots and getting what he wants. But what is different, is Aysia: the vixen he spent the weekend rewriting the entire playbook with. But before Marc can take things any further he’s shocked by what he discovers…
Marc was hired to keep his employer’s reputation squeaky clean.
Part of Aysia’s job is to enforce her department’s strict no-dating rule.
And they work for the same company.
Now, with their red-hot connection doused by office policies and politics, Aysia and Marc try to put their fling behind them. It should be easy. But when a behind-the-scenes power play threatens their careers, they’ll have to bring their hearts to the table…
About the Author
Amazon bestselling author Melinda Di Lorenzo lives on the beautiful west coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her handsome husband and her noisy kids. When she’s not writing, she can be found curled up with (someone else’s) good book. Visit the author at melindadilorenzowrites.blogspot.com, find her on www.facebook.com/MelindaDiLorenzo, and follow her at www.twitter.com/melindawrites.
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