Page 10 of Bad Boss

“Not as beautiful as you.” I smile at her while her curves melt against my body. We finish up our tour in the backyard where I show her the massive man-made lake that sits on the back of my property.

“Can we go swimming?” Her aqua blue eyes light up as she stares out at the water.

“I only allow skinny dipping in my lake,” I tease, and almost swallow my tongue when she steps back to start pulling off her clothes.

Fuck, I love her. “Aren’t you going to swim, too?” Lynette asks, and I realize I’ve been standing here like a moron. My goddamn mind is blown, and it takes two tries for my numb fingers to unbutton my jeans. I curse under my breath when I almost fall on my ass trying to kick my boots off. My girl laughs watching me struggle.

“You think this is funny?” When I lift her naked curves against my chest, all the blood in my body rushes straight for my cock, turning it to stone. “I guess I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” I run my tongue up the side of her neck, causing her to squirm in my hold.

Taking her by surprise, I run and jump in the lake with her in my arms. The cold water closes over our heads, and Lynette turns to wrap her silky legs around my waist. I hold her against me and make my way to the shallow end since I don’t want to lose control and drown us both. The warm sun beats down on my back as I make love to my girl out in the open.

We swim around for a while before laying out next to the lake. By the time we make our way back to the cabin, the sun is setting. “Let’s get cleaned up, then I’ll grill steaks for dinner.” I lead Lynette into the main bathroom and turn on the shower. “You can go first.” I kiss her soft lips and feel my cock waking up.

“We could always shower together,” she offers, but I shake my head.

“We’ll never make it to dinner if I get in that shower with your gorgeous naked body.” And I have plans.

While I grill steaks, Lynette bakes potatoes and makes a salad.

“Almost done?” She sticks her head out the patio door and asks.

“Five minutes.” I turn and smile at my girl. “Why don’t we eat out here?”

CHAPTER9

LYNETTE

I barely tastea bite of the delicious dinner. Eric has been acting distracted all day long, and I’m starting to worry. I can’t take it anymore. I break down and ask him, “Is everything okay?”

He looks startled. “What?”

“It just seems like you’re stressed or something.” I swallow and wait for his response. My heart beats loudly in my ear, and I almost wish I could take back my question.

“I’ve been trying to build up my nerve.” I blink and watch him stand and head into the cabin. “Stay right there,” he calls over his shoulder, and I’m too shocked to resist his command.

He returns a few moments later and walks straight over to me. Eric pulls my chair out before dropping to his knees in front of me. My breath stalls in my throat as he takes my hand in his. “You know I love you.” He stares into my eyes, causing my heart to race. “Please say you’ll marry me and make me the happiest man alive.” I’m unable to find the words, so I nod my head quickly and watch him slip a freaking humongous diamond on my finger. My eyes fill with tears as he leans close to kiss me.

“I love you.” I stare down at the ring before glancing up. “And I can’t wait to be your wife.”

* * *

The next Sunday,we have dinner at the Russos. The entire family congratulates us before the men head off to the man cave. Once they leave the room, Mrs. Russo corners me to discuss the wedding. “When do you plan to get married?” she asks, and I take a deep breath while contemplating my answer. Eric warned me his mother might try to run the show.

“We’re going to have a small ceremony.” As I watch her eyes narrow, I worry I’m about to make an enemy of my soon-to-be mother-in-law. “Just family,” I elaborate.

“But,” she sputters, and I glance out the corner of my eye to see Bianca hiding her smile. “Don’t you want a big wedding to remember?”

“Now, Mom.” I almost hug my new friend when she jumps in to help me out. “It’s up to Eric and Lynette to decide what they want for their wedding.”

“I know that,” Mrs. Russo snaps at her daughter. “But I can help them.” She emphasizes the wordhelp,causing her daughter to roll her eyes.

“They don’t need help.” I get dizzy as I turn my head from side to side, watching the two women argue.

The argument is cut short when my dinner starts crawling up my throat. Shoot. This isn’t how I wanted to tell my fiancé and his family that we have a little one on the way. As I rush to the bathroom, I hear Bianca inform her mother, “See? They don’t have time to plan a big affair. She’ll be showing soon.”

After my stomach quits rebelling, I lay my head on the cool tile floor and wait for the room to stop spinning. I hear the door open and sense Eric’s presence. He eases down next to me and gently rubs my back. His dark, worried eyes find mine. “Are you okay, love?”

“Your child is already acting like a menace,” I grumble and watch realization slam through him.

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