“Ah, come on. Tell me.”
“It’s cheesy.”
“Have you met me?” I asked with a snort. “I’m nothing but a cheesy, overly romantic sap who reads fluffy romance books and fantasizes about happily ever afters.”
“Fine.” Daniel took a breath and moved his blue eyes to me. “It’s like you complete me, Reed. You make me whole.” He groaned and looked away. “See? Told you it was cheesy.”
“Yeah.” A tear slipped from my eye. “Totally cheesy.”
His expression softened as he glanced at me again. “We’ll need to take another bath in that claw-foot tub tonight.”
I smiled and leaned over to lay my head on his arm. It felt like a dream, like I’d wake up any moment… but it was real. Daniel loved me, and fuck, I loved him just as much.
An hour later, we pulled up to Hensley Manor. It looked different without all the snow, but no less beautiful. We parked, grabbed our bags, and walked up to the porch before going inside. Cole stood at the counter, drinking out of a huge coffee mug, and beamed when he saw us.
“Hey! Welcome back.” He walked around the counter and clapped each of us on the back. “We’ve been expecting you. How was the trip?”
“Good,” Daniel answered. “Not as icy as before.”
“I bet.” Cole chuckled. “You’ll have a better room this time too.”
“Actually,” I said. “Could we have the same one?”
Daniel smiled, as if he’d been thinking the same thing.
“Are you sure?” Cole asked.
“Yes,” Daniel said, pulling out his wallet and handing over his card. “It grew on us.”
Once we were checked in and had carried our bags up to the room, Daniel tackled me on the bed. His black hair hung forward as he hovered over me, and I brushed it aside, feeling like I could burst from happiness.
“Remember when you told me that story about the bird?” he asked, caressing my cheek. “It broke my heart when you said everyone always leaves you. I hope you know I’ll never do that. You’re stuck with me.”
“I know.” Emotion clogged in my throat. Daniel didn’t just say that he loved me. He made me feel the truth of it. “It’s kinda funny. I was so afraid you’d fly away from me, but it was you who made me fly.”
He kissed me, and my heart fluttered with each pressing of our lips, like hummingbird’s wings.
Daniel Sawyer was still a major hard-ass who was too serious at times and could learn to take a break from the office every once in a while. But he’d found his way into my heart. He made me stronger. Happier than I ever thought I could be.
I smiled against his mouth and rolled him to his back on the bed, straddling his hips. “I think a good fucking is in order. What do ya say?”
Daniel sat up and gripped my nape. I tilted my head back and sighed as he kissed my neck. He answered my question by popping the button on my pants and unzipping them.
“God, I love you,” he growled against my throat.
“Show me how much.”
I felt him smile against my skin before he tossed me to my back and settled between my legs. For years, I had escaped with romance books and rom-coms, thinking I’d never find that kind of love for myself. Fuck had he proved me wrong.
Dating the boss was the best decision I’d ever made. And I couldn’t wait to see where this crazy life took us next.
THE END
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About the Author
When not writing, Jaclyn can be found binging anime, reading manga, and drinking way too much coffee. The men in her head never leave her alone, but she doesn’t want them to. Writing is her passion and she’s thankful for each day she’s able to live her dream.
All types of genres in the gay literature world interest her. She has written contemporary, medieval fantasy, paranormal, and historical.
Liked this book and want more? Check out Jaclyn’s backlist!
Standalone
Brighter Shades of Light (student/college professor)
Tangled Up In You (second chance)
Cheater and the Saint (college romance)
Unexpected Love Series (contemporary)
His Temptation (Book 1)
His Surrender (Book 2)
His Courage (Book 3)
Axios Series (historical)
Axios: A Spartan Tale
Eryx: A Spartan Tale
Ivy Grove Series (paranormal)
The Ghost of Ellwood (Book 1)
The Curse of Redwood (Book 2)
Tales of Fate Series (fantasy)
Found at Sea (Book 1)
The Nymph Prince (Book 2)
Christmas Books
Hensley Manor (A Snow Globe Christmas)
A Gift of Time
A Blue Harbor Romance Series (contemporary)
Topping the Jock (Book 1)
Dating the Boss (Book 2)