Page 88 of The Billionaire's Heart

“But you are, don’t you see? Everyone I meet always wants something from me, but you’ve never asked me for a thing. Not once. That just makes me want to give you everything.” I release her from my hold. “Mia, you only see the good in people and think that everyone else only sees the good in others when, in fact, it’s the complete opposite. People just want to tear down what everyone else has so that they can look superior. It’s a never-ending circle. I’ve always thought that eventually, the human race would implode on itself because of it.”

“That’s a horrible thought, Ian.”

“But then I met you with your kindness, sassiness, and enormous heart. People like you are what is going to help keep the human race going.”

“You’re very doom and gloom tonight.” She teases me.

“I’m not trying to be. I’m trying to tell you how much I love you, how much you mean to me, and how so very special you are to me. Suppose I suck at this.”

She places both hands on my cheeks. “No, Ian, you don’t. You’re special to me, too. You spoil me, care about me, and I feel your love every time you look and touch me.”

“You do?”

She nods, “I do.”

I kiss her honey-soaked lips, gently at first, but then our kisses become almost urgent, and I cannot pull Mia close enough to me. I just want to absorb her, make her a part of me, bring her into me. “What is it about you I cannot get enough of?”

“I feel the same way; like we’re pulling each other into ourselves.”

“Exactly.” I kiss her again.

Suddenly, one of my neighbors sets off a few fireworks and we both jump and then laugh. “We make sparks fly.” She climbs off my lap.

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“Absolutely.” We hear the deep boom as more fireworks fly into the sky. “I love fireworks. Always have.” She turns to me, “Oh, I like sparklers, too. They’re so much fun to play with. I enjoy writing words in the air with them. Can we get some for tomorrow?”

“Of course. I love them, too.”

As we both watch the impromptu fireworks show, internally, I smile, knowing what I’ve got planned for us tomorrow.

It’s early and dark, even with the curtains drawn. I can tell it’s still dark outside, but I can’t contain my excitement and nervousness anymore. Barely sleeping at all last night, I tried to not wake Mia as I tossed and turned, but it’s finally time.

Gently rocking her, “Mia, sweetheart. Time to get up.” She only grumbles in response. “Come on, sleepyhead. We’ve got big plans today.”

She pulls the covers up over her shoulders and turns away from me. “No, we don’t.”

Laughing, “Yes, we do. I made them for us. Come on. Time to get up. Meet me downstairs. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“I don’t know if I can handle any more surprises.” She flips over onto her back, staring up at the ceiling over our bed.

“You’ll love this one. Up and at ‘em.” I peck her on the forehead.

After a quick shower, I get dressed and run downstairs to make sure everything is set up perfectly for her. I want this day to go smoothly and if I have my way, Mia will have all the breathing room she could ever want.

Chapter 39

Mia

Usually, I’m a morning person, but yesterday and last night were such an emotional roller coaster, that I was looking forward to sleeping in today. Recuperating, of sorts. Definitely processing. Especially, since everything is closed, being a national holiday and all.

But Mr. Gallo has other plans and once I’m fully awake, I’m going to let him know that one way for a man to stay alive is to not mess with a woman’s sleep, and he should note that for future use.

I drag myself out of bed and into the shower. That helps wake me up a bit, but it’s also when I realized it’s still dark outside. What the hell kind of surprise happens before daybreak?

Once I’m dressed, I go in search of Ian to read him the riot act, but I can’t seem to find him. That’s when I see the sticky note on the French door out to the patio.

Meet me on the beach.

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