Page 111 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

He was beside himself with joy when I sat him down last night and told him what I wanted to do. He’d smiled at me for the first time in over a week, and all had felt right with the world again.

“Home hasn’t felt the same without you, Leah,” he says, reading his letter like he isn’t affected, caught between being boy and man. “I haven’t been happy since you left, and I couldn’t stand Dad when he told me you were gone, and he wasn’t going to fight for you. I didn’t smile once; you can ask him.”

Everyone laughs, and I see a small smile creep onto Caleb’s face.

“Leah, please come home. And . . . I can’t wait to meet my little brother or sister.”

Leah’s hand covers her mouth again. She glances down at me, and I raise a brow. She nods, and that’s all the answer I need.

My chest feels like it will explode with relief, happiness, all of it. I slide the ring onto her finger, and the world erupts in cheers and applause. I can barely hear any of it because all I can focus on isLeah’s face, the way she’s looking at me like maybe I really am her forever, like she can see a life with me that goes far beyond this moment.

It’s perfect.

I lean in, catching her in a kiss, and she melts into me, all soft and warm, the weight of her body against mine like an anchor holding me steady. “I’ve got a surprise for you tonight,” I whisper against her lips.

She pulls back just enough to arch an eyebrow at me, her lips curving into her mischievous smile. “Another surprise, huh?” she teases, wiping at the tears still clinging to her lashes. “You’ve already made me the happiest woman in the world, Silas.”

I kiss her cheek again and touch her belly. “And I, the happiest man.”

Later, I have her blindfolded in the car, and I’m practically buzzing with anticipation.

She’s in this new dress I got—black, silky, and hugging every curve like it was made just for her. She’s practically vibrating with curiosity.

“Where are we going?” she asks, but I just smile and tell her to be patient, savoring every second of her excitement. “You’re killing me here, Silas.”

The car finally stops, and I lead her out, guiding her with a hand at her waist.

She keeps asking where we are, her voice full of that playful frustration that just makes me want to laugh. I pull the blindfold off, and she gasps, eyes widening as she takes in the view in front of us: the harbor, the lights, and, of course, the giant white yacht decked out with balloons and strings of fairy lights.

She stares at me, wide-eyed. “Silas, w-what is this?”

I shrug, trying to act nonchalant, even though my heart’s pounding with how much I want her to love this. “Thought our first night as a real, engaged couple deserved something special. So, I bought a yacht. You know, for dinner.”

She blinks, clearly stunned. “You bought a yacht for dinner?”

“Wasn’t a big deal,” I say with a shrug. “Do you like the name?”

Her eyes find the name by its side, and her eyes widen impossibly. “Leah’s? Silas, this isn’t—”

“Yours?” I cock my head. “Yes, it is.”

Her hand flies to her mouth. “Holy sh—Silas, this is too much. You can’t—”

I take her face in my hands and kiss her lightly, her gloss attaching to my lips. I plant another kiss on her forehead, and when I pull back to look at her, her cheeks are bright red.

“I can, and I did.” I smile. “I promised to do everything I can to make you happy, and that starts tonight, my darling. It starts tonight,” I say, leading her up the ramp and onto the deck, trying not to let my grin get too smug.

Once we’re onboard, a string quartet starts playing, soft music drifting across the deck as the yacht moves. The night is perfect, the city lights glimmering on the water as I pull her close, and we dance, both of us caught up in this moment that feels like something out of a dream.

Dinner is an intimate affair, with just us and the stars overhead. And we barely make it through our plates before we’re both leaning closer, hands brushing, glances lingering just a second too long. It feels like forever since I’ve had her this close, and I realize just how much I’ve missed her—all of her.

Every little touch, every laugh, every smile that’s just for me.

Leah’s eyes darken, and she gives me a half-embarrassed, half-sultry look. “So, is it normal for pregnancy to make you this . . . ?” She trails off, blushing, but I get what she’s trying to say.

“Oh?” I lean in, teasing her. “This . . . ?”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s that spark in her gaze. “You know. Horny. It’s like I couldn’t stop thinking about . . .” She bites her lip, then laughs, a bit self-conscious. “You.”

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