Page 101 of Miss Manage

“For knowing we needed this,” I murmured, brushing my thumb along her jaw. “For choosing us, even in the middle of the chaos.”

Her breath hitched, that little tell she gave when emotion crept up on her. I leaned in and kissed her slow, lingering and unhurried because, for the first time ever, we didn’t have to rush.

An hour later, we were tangled in sheets and in each other, somewhere between bliss and hunger as we waited for room service.

She traced slow, lazy circles across my chest. “Are you nervous about working together come Monday?”

“Not a bit. I might actually look forward to our morning and afternoon check-ins.”

She lifted her head, laughing. “Please. You hated those daily meetings.”

“What I hated,” I corrected, landing a soft kiss on her shoulder, “was how attracted I was to you every single time we had them. It was…distracting. And, honestly, a little infuriating.”

“Oh?” she teased, arching a brow. “Infuriating how?”

“Because you were always so damn capable and sharp and composed while I was sitting there trying not to stare at your sexy mouth like a complete idiot.”

Color climbed her cheeks, warm and impossible to hide. “You hid it well. I assumed you couldn’t wait to get away from me.”

I lifted her chin gently so she’d see the truth in my eyes. “If not for you, I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with my daughter. I wouldn’t have peace with my parents. And I sure as hell wouldn’t understand how my brothers could be so completely gone for the women they love. But then I met you…” I paused, letting the words settle. “And it was like everything shifted. Like my whole damn life went from black and white to full technicolor the moment you walked into it. I love you, Charlotte. Today, tomorrow, and at the risk of freaking you out, forever. You’re it for me. Endgame.”

Her breath caught, her lips parting like the words were there but needed a heartbeat to form. She cupped my face with both hands, her touch gentle but sure. “Gabriel…you have no idea what you’ve given me.”

I stilled, letting her speak.

“You showed me what it feels like to have a partner show up and say ‘I’m in this with you.’ And in the process, you taught me what was important.” Her voice wavered, but her eyes were clear and steady. “You’re the first person who’s ever dared to love all of me. Thinking of my future, I can’t imagine you not in it.”

My heart damn near burst.

She leaned in, her lips brushing mine. “I love you, Gabriel. Completely. Ridiculously. Unapologetically.”

I exhaled a shaky laugh against her mouth, rolling her beneath me gently, and kissing her like I finally had everything I’d ever wanted.