Meanwhile, I’m not the only one doing well professionally. Brent’s been CEO of Carson’s for almost two and a half years now and has completely revamped the family company. His new and innovative ideas have improved efficiency and customer satisfaction while lowering costs both at the business end and at the final price point for the customer. It’s a tricky combo to nail but one that drives success like no other when mastered.
Suddenly, a small boy toddles up to me as I stand at the cash register.
“Mama?” he asks, waving his arms wildly. “Mama!”
I bend down, scooping him into my arms.
“Hi baby,” I murmur into his hair. “You know you’re not getting into the gummy bears today, right?”
Johnny merely giggles, making my heart thump because he has his daddy’s jet-black hair and bright blue eyes. My son has just learned to walk but he’s already trying his best to run, and when he sees Kitty, he squirms to be put down.
“Johnny,” my assistant calls playfully. “I’ve got your favorite: chocolate-filled teddy bears! Come get a bite sweetie,” she sings. My little boy runs over unsteadily before darting into her arms. The two of them topple over when he practically attacks here, but there’s no harm done: Kitty’s got my baby, and he’s now biting into the candy, brown chocolate smearing all over his cheeks.
“Mhhh!” he exclaims loudly, clasping his hands together in amazement.
My husband’s tall shadow looms near.
“He’s got quite a sweet tooth, just like his mommy,” Brent says as he shoots me a playful wink.
“What can I say? My little boy has good taste,” I tease playfully.
“That’s for sure,” my husband says, slipping his arms around me from behind while nuzzling my ear. “Have I told you how delectable you look, by the way?”
I giggle.
“But Brent, I haven’t lost the thirty pounds that I put on from pregnancy. You’ve got a tubby wife right now.”
He merely wraps his arms even tighter around my waist, pulling me back against that hard form.
“No sweetheart,” he growls. “You look more beautiful with the weight than without it. Keep it on, sugar, because I love how your ass shakes now when I take you from behind.”
The breath exits my lungs and I can’t speak for a moment. OMG, we’re in my shop, and yet my husband’s being so dirty. Yet, I love it, and I wiggle my bottom against that hardness, feeling it jerk with tension.
“I know you like it,” I coo. “And maybe I will keep it on just to make you happy, big boy.”
But we’re suddenly interrupted when the bell rings, and a handsome customer strides in. He’s so tall that the top of his head easily clears the candy displays, and he’s broad and big. This man isn’t someone who looks like he eats candy given that athletic frame, but Kitty’s next to him in a flash with a flirtatious smile.
“Hi, welcome to A Mouthful of Sweets,” she hums. “Can I help you find something today?”
The man looks at her with amused blue eyes.
“Is that your child?” he asks, nodding to Johnny in her arms.
“Yes. I mean, no!” Kitty giggles. “This is my boss’s kid, but Johnny’s a pro at helping customers pick out exactly what they want. Come on, Johnny. Tell our new friend about all of our best stuff!”
Never mind that my son can’t speak yet. He has Kitty and the new customers engaged in animated conversation, and with that, my husband pulls me back into the depths of the store.
“What are you doing?” I ask breathlessly as he drags me into our inventory room. “I need to man the register!”
But Brent merely pulls me close before pressing a passionate kiss to my lips. When he breaks away, I’m breathless and panting.
“I have a gift for you, sweetheart,” he growls. Then, from behind his back, my husband pulls out a large blue velvet box which he snaps open to reveal a stunning diamond necklace.
“Brent, oh my god. It’s gorgeous, but what is this for?” I ask, my eyes wide.
The handsome man chuckles. “It’s just a little something for you, baby girl. You’ve made me so happy that I want to celebrate a little. Even more, I want you to have something in addition to your engagement ring because I gave that to you under false pretenses. But no more. This is real, our marriage is real, and this necklace is a representation of my love for you,” he vows, suddenly emotional.
I blink back tears and look into his handsome face.
“But Brent, the ring wasn’t false,” I reassure him in a low voice. “I treasure it, and I always have. It’s a family heirloom, and even if we started out under false pretenses, that’s long since over. The ring does represent our marriage and our love for each other. At least in my eyes it does.”