The Billionaire’s Secret Bonus Scene
Locke
The yacht’s name is the first thing Salem notices as we approach the dock.
“The Siren?” She stops and lifts her sunglasses to the top of her head. The hot summer breeze stirs the bottom of her flowing white dress, whipping it around her gorgeous legs.
“You renamed one of the yachts as my anniversary gift?”
I take her hand in mine. “No love, this is not a renaming. This is your yacht. It was delivered this morning.”
“Mine?” She gives me a scolding look. “I don’t know why I’m surprised any more with the way you spoil me.”
I shake my head as I help her on board. “I’m the one who’s spoiled,” I counter and it’s true. Salem is the most thoughtful woman in the world. Every morning I wake up grateful to have her in my life.
“Look how the ocean sparkles,” she says once we’re underway. “Like gemstones.”
“Getting ideas for a new design?” I ask, wrapping my arms around her waist.
She covers my hands with hers. Her beautiful hands. Hands that trembled the first time she held our son, Colin. Hands that give me comfort and drive me wild.
Her hands expertly create her new designs. The custom jewelry became so popular, there’s now a waiting list to buy everything she makes.
The day she’d opened her business, that she’d named The Moon & Stars as a nod to her late grandmother, she’d cried. She wants to honor her talent as well as her grandmother in everything she made.
Watching as she hit every goal she set for herself filled me with such pride for her. She’s a woman who never gives up no matter what gets thrown at her. She’s a hell of a woman and that fact that she’s my wife…I can’t think of anything I’ve ever experienced that compares to the moment she said I do.
“This is nice,” she says with a sigh. The wind stirs her hair, caressing it across her bare shoulders.
“The view?” I ask, fascinated not by the ocean, but by the sight of her.
“Just being alone with each other. I feel like our life has been in fast forward since Colin was born.”
“I know. I remember the day we brought him home from the hospital. The moment he took his first step. And now he’s about to start school? I don’t think I’m ready for that.” I do my best to give my son wings, but what I went through in the past has made me protective.
“Me either. And I’ll miss having him around all day. Yesterday he said he loves me as much as he loves playing with his trucks in the dirt.”
I laugh. “Well, in boy speak, that’s equivalent to a diamond.”
“Mom and Dad said he’s a bundle of energy.”
Our son is spending the next few days with her parents. Larry and Janice dote on their first grandson. I love both of them, but I’m especially close to Larry. Not just because he saved me from that house but because he treats me like I’m his son. He looks out for me in ways my own father never has.
“Is it too much for them? Do we need to cut our trip short?”
“No, they love having him and I love having m husband all to myself.” She turns in my arms and gives me a smile.
My heart swells. That smile still has the power to make my knees go weak.
Then she lifts herself up and brushes her lips across mine. “Remember right after we got married? We were so hot for each other, every surface that could support our weight became an opportunity.”
“What do you mean were?” I ask, tasting the elixir of her lips. Tasting the beauty and wonder of us.
“I was just pointing out what we did back then,” she says breathlessly after I lift my head.
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t think it’s the same today?”
“It’s not as crazy feverish. But I think that’s because we know we have the rest of our lives.”
“I disagree. I’m still crazy feverish for you.”
She laughs.
And I’m caught again by the sound of that. I remember when I first met her and she’d pretended to be married. And how that had gutted me. I’d never wanted a woman as badly as I’d wanted her and I still want her the same.
“I have a gift for you, too,” she says and pulls a jewelry box from her pocket.
I open it and there’s a simple gold band. I take it out and tilt it to read the inscription.
You are my fate.
I have trouble speaking. There was a time when Salem had told me she didn’t believe in fate.
“I know you have a nice wedding band, but I wanted to give you something I made that holds a special meaning.”
“I love it as much as I love the woman who made it.” I put the ring on and lean down to kiss her.
“And I love the yacht, but I think there’s another gift I’d like,” she says.
“Name it and it’s yours,” I say.
“A baby.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Well…I suppose I could do that and show you just how crazy feverish I still am about you.”
She laughs as I scoop her into my arms and stride toward the bedroom below.
I love her laughter. I love her smile. I love her body and I love her precious heart. This woman is my greatest dream, and nothing can compare to her.
Her love is the greatest fortune I could ever have.
