Page 121 of Loving the CEO

"To sum it up, he offered to buy the B&B if I got back with him. Apparently, my leaving him ruined in his reputation."

"I'm going to punch that moron," he growled.

"I already did that verbally. And I also told Mom that it was her dream for us to open a B&B together. Mine is just to open one by myself. And I plan to do that somewhere closer to Boston," I said with a wide smile. "I might even ask a certain sexy realtor to find me the best spot.”

“Fuck yes, I will. I so will."

"I love you, too, Leo, and I can't believe it's actually taken us so long to get together. We've lost many years."

"I’m looking at it differently. We used that time to grow and become the person the other one needed. I wouldn’t have been the right man for you a few years ago."

I shook my head. "That's not true. You were always amazing to me."

"But would I have bought your favorite incense and candles from your favorite shop in New Orleans?" he asked.

I giggled. "No, you wouldn't." I looked over his shoulder. "What is it with all these candles? I mean, far from me to complain. This place looks absolutely romantic."

"We need to get you to another corner so you can see thepattern."

He led me through the room in the opposite corner, and then he took me by the shoulders, turning me so I was facing the candles.

Oh, he wrote something.

"Will—" I began but abruptly stopped, my words caught in my throat.

Will you marry me?he'd spelled out with candles.

"Oh my God, Leo..."

"That'swhy I flew here." He put one leg forward and started lowering himself, but I was too impatient for that and jumped in his arms instead.

"Woman, you need to warn me." He stumbled back, but just one step. His hands were firmly under my ass as I held on to his shoulders.

"Yes, yes, yes. Of course I’ll marry you."

He kissed the right corner of my mouth, then went up to my ear and said, "I didn't take out the ring."

"What? You have a ring too?"

"You think I'd propose without one?"

He walked me to the nearest wall, pressing my back against it. I looked down at his right foot. I didn't realize what he was doing, and then I felt him lower his hand.

He took a box out of his pocket one-handed and opened it expertly, holding it for me to see. "Someone told me that was your favorite jewelry shop."

"Yep. I’m impressed.” The logo was for a small place in the Quarter. I often window-shopped because her stuff wasn't exactly cheap.

"I know this isn't a typical engagement ring," he said, which was true, as it looked like something out of a Victorian movie: a green stone—an emerald, perhaps—in a gorgeous setting. "But the vendor made it very clear that you're not a typical woman, which I know."

"This is perfect," I assured him. "I loveit so damn much."

"Let me put it on."

"I'll do it or you're going to drop me. Let me down," I said. I took the ring from its box and put it on my finger. "It looks amazing. I can't believe you managed to do all of this in one day."

Leo laughed and nuzzled my neck again. "I did think about taking it at an easier pace, just come here and plead my case today, then plan the proposal back in Boston. But then I remembered it's a new moon today." He straightened up and grinned.

I grinned right back. "You looked that up?"

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