Tempted

Bailey looks up, searching the room until her eyes land on me. She flashes me that knowing smile. I’ve been trying to get my hands up her dress all day. She looks too damn good, and she knows it. If she keeps it up, I’m going to fuck her right here.

After she’s gotten her diploma, the rest of the ceremony drags on. I bear it because this is important to her. But while her classmates get their recognition, I’m dreaming up all the ways I’m going to have her tonight.

When the ceremony has finally concluded, Bailey struts my way. All those dirty fantasies I’d concocted, coming back to my mind. When she gets close, I pull her into my arms.

“I want you.”

“You have me,” she says, ghosting her lips against mine.

“I’m so proud of you,” I say, knowing she deserves to hear it. And I mean it wholeheartedly.

“Took me long enough.”

I step back, hating how she still does that. She’s constantly belittling herself, underselling all her hard work. It’s something her therapist has been working on, and I’ve been helping push the change at home.

“But you did it. You went back to school. Got your degree, and then if I wasn’t impressed enough, you got your master’s. You are one kick-ass woman, beautiful.”

She grins. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Know what else you can’t do without me?” I ask, waggling my brows suggestively, and she smacks my chest.

“You’re such a Neanderthal.” She laughs.

“But I’m all yours.”

“Yes . . . that you are.” She smiles.

“But seriously, we’re going to do something after this.”

Her brow lifts in question, but I want to drag out the suspense a little while longer.

I’ve been working on a surprise for her graduation. One that she and I have both played a part in, only she never realized I was ten steps ahead of everything she did. While she was picking out tables and color schemes for down the road, I was actually ordering it and having everything installed—with a lot of help from Carter, but I’m not allowing him to steal my thunder.

She got her Master’s in Business Management, and I know she’s going to rock the hell out of owning her very own restaurant. The deed’s in her name. It’s hers, and I can’t wait to surprise her with it.

“What did you do, Mr. Lawson?”

I groan. “I love it when you call me that. It’s so dirty, baby.”

She chuckles. “Maybe we should get out of here so you can have your way with me.”

She lifts up on her tiptoes and places a kiss on my lips.

“I love you,” I whisper for her ears only.

“Always,” she replies.

Life is good.