Easton’s heart warmed. He walked up behind her and leaned down until his lips brushed her ear.
“I really want to kiss you right now.”
She shivered. “We’re at work, remember?”
Always so proper. “Then I might need you to stay late for some private dictation.”
She turned her head. “Whatever you need, Mr. Norcross.”
“Fuck, I’m hard.”
She smiled.
That. He’d give up all his millions to see that smile every day.
“Delivery for Harlow Carlson.”
They both looked up. A deliveryman was obscured by an enormous bunch of red roses.
Harlow stood. “Wow. I’m Harlow.” She glanced at Easton and raised a brow.
He scowled. “Not me.” But tomorrow, he was ordering her flowers. Not roses. Harlow deserved something beautiful, exotic, and unique.
She pulled the card out while Easton signed for the arrangement and tipped the deliveryman.
A funny look crossed her face. “They’re from Antoine.”
Easton cursed.
A smile played along her lips. “Apologizing for everything, and Hugo.”
“Did he mention luring your father into debt? Or his criminal activities? Or blackmailing you?”
She tugged Easton into his office and closed the door. “I’ll donate the flowers to a hospital, or something.” She smoothed her hands up his shirt. “Does that make you feel better?”
Easton grunted.
She kissed him, nibbling on his bottom lip. “I’m sure when you send me flowers, they’ll be much more impressive.”
Easton reached into his pocket and pulled out a long box. “I can do better than flowers.” He flicked open the lid.
The huge, teardrop sapphire was surrounded by diamonds, hanging on the delicate chain. It matched the earrings he’d given her.
Her mouth opened.
“Say yes,” he said. “I want to see this against your skin.”
“How much did it cost?”
“It doesn’t matter.” God, it was hard to give her anything.
She sighed. “You’re going to do things like this a lot, aren’t you?”
He decided now wasn’t the time to tell her that he’d purchased a row of old Victorian houses, hoping she’d like to renovate one of them. Or all of them.
He’d tell her later.
“If you help me learn to relax, I’ll help you learn how to graciously accept a gift.”
She turned, offering him her neck. “Yes, but your gifts have exorbitant price tags.”
He slid the gem around and fastened the chain. As he’d known, it looked beautiful against her skin.
“Gorgeous.” He spun her and kissed her.
Mmm, he’d never get enough of his lovely Ms. Carlson. He nudged her toward his desk.
“No.” She groaned and looked at her watch. “We have to meet everyone at Sotto Mare for dinner. Our parents are meeting for the first time.” She kissed him, then kissed him again and groaned. “We can’t be late.”
Damn. He was tempted to push that skirt up and set her on his desk anyway, dinner be damned.
But his mother wouldn’t let him live it down.
They packed up, and Easton drove them to the Italian-style, seafood restaurant. When they arrived, his family was already there with Scarlett.
Harlow hugged her sister. Easton greeted his parents, nodded at his brothers. Saxon was there as well, Gia and Haven sipping cocktails on stools nearby. Rome, Ace, and Maggie arrived. Harlow’s best friend, Christie, and her husband were there, too. They’d had them over for dinner a few days before.
“Maggie, martini?” Gia asked.
“Hell, no. Beer for me.”
“Woman can drink us all under the table,” Ace grumbled.
The pilot winked and headed for the bar.
“I see you convinced Harlow to wear the necklace,” Saxon said.
Easton watched as Harlow laughed with Haven and her sister. “Yes.”
“Bet you didn’t tell her about the GPS tracker embedded in it.” Saxon grinned.
“Not yet.”
“Happy?” Vander swirled his drink.
“Hell, yeah. She’s officially moved in. She’s subletting her apartment until her lease is up.” Easton smiled. He’d never felt more content than he did now. Happy for a future with Harlow in it.
He saw her turn and smile at him, before her gaze shifted past him.
Easton glanced back and saw Eleanor leading Charles slowly across the restaurant. A young boy walked with them.
“Where’s the food?” Daniel asked.
Harlow held out a plate of oysters and cracked crab. The boy wrinkled his nose, then shrugged. He took an oyster, then took a second one.
He was wearing new jeans and a shirt, his hair brushed neatly.
Mrs. Carlson had been busy. She’d pulled lots of strings, and become a temporary foster parent for the boy.
“Easton.” Charles nodded.
The man was still pale, but doing well. His wife was bullying him into rest and rehab.
“Charles.”
“Harlow, that necklace is stunning.” Eleanor kissed her daughter’s cheek.
“Thanks, Mom. Dad, how are you feeling?” Harlow hugged him.
“Like I got shot.”
“Sit.” She helped him into a chair. “Now, I want you to meet Easton’s parents.”
Introductions were made. Easton’s mom and Harlow’s gushed.
“The Realtor came by today,” Eleanor told everyone. “We’re having an open house this weekend. He’s already had a lot of solid interest.”
“Good crib,” Daniel mumbled around a mouthful of crab. “Should get a good price.”
Easton smothered a smile, and saw Saxon roll his eyes.
“Vander,” Daniel said. “I wanted to talk to you. About coming to work for you.”
To his credit, Vander kept a straight face. “Finish school, kid. Then we’ll talk.”
The boy’s chest puffed up. “Deal.”
Vander’s cell phone rang. “I’ve got to take this.” He pressed the phone to his ear and stepped away.
Harlow pressed into Easton. She sighed.
“Good?” he asked.
She nodded. “Look.”
Their mothers were talking, his mother’s hands waving as she talked.
“You realize that they’re probably planning our wedding,” he said.
“I’ll be planning our wedding.”
“Will you?” He tilted his head. “You proposing?”
“No.” She leaned in. “I expect my hot, billionaire boyfriend to propose in style.”
He smiled. “Noted.”
Vander reappeared. “Rome, got a new job for you.”
Rome lowered his beer. “When?”
“In two days, Princess Sofia of Caldova is arriving. You’re her new bodyguard.”
“My God, I’ve seen her in magazines,” Harlow exclaimed. “She’s gorgeous. The perfect princess. Slender, elegant, strawberry-blonde hair. Cheekbones I’d sell my soul for.”
Rome’s face went blank. “Great.”
He didn’t sound very enthused.
Vander raised a brow. “Rome’s met her. He was her bodyguard in New York a few months ago.”