Elissa put the hand clenching the envelope flat on his father’s chest and slowly, inexorably, pushed. “Yes, you are done. Come back when you have calmed down. And read the goddamned business plan.”
His dad took a step back.
“Goodnight, Dad.”
Muttering to himself, Alessandro snatched the envelope from Elissa and slammed the door on his way out.
“That won’t be the last time we have to deal with his bullshit.” Ryan threw the deadbolt.
“Family. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. I’ll print you another copy of the plan—it truly is a thing of beauty now.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone stand up to my father like that.”
She shrugged, which was cute. “You deserve better.”
“I have better.”
He lifted her chin with a finger and kissed her, lingering on her soft lips, relishing her gentle scent. She hummed as he broke away.
“Don’t stop.”
Ryan walked her backward until her back hit the door. “You like that?”
“Yes. More please.”
“Well, since you asked so nicely.”
And he kissed her again. Deeper this time, claiming her, letting her claim him. He never wanted to stop.
He left her mouth and trailed his lips over her jaw and down her neck.
“When does…Iz get home?”
Her words were breathless, and her hands threaded through his hair, driving him wild. He chuckled.
“We’ve got time.”
“Time for what?”
“Oh, you know what.”
He picked her up by the waist and slung her over his shoulder. She squealed and pounded feebly on his back as he carried her to his bedroom.
They had all the time in the world for whatever they wanted to do. And he was going to love every moment with her.
epilogue
two years later
“And that’s a wrap on my first AMA episode of A Drink in Time. I can’t believe it’s been two years and twenty-five episodes!”
Elissa sat in the corner of the mostly soundproofed office in their apartment. The purple velvet chair she insisted on getting shortly after they moved in together last year was comfy and helped absorb even more sound. She loved watching Ryan record when she had a chance.
JMS Accounting kept her busy. She would be taking over for Karina next tax season, with the obvious exception of DeMarco Property Management by mutual agreement. The fallout from two years ago hadn’t been nearly as bad as she feared—an apology to the boards of both companies and a warning in her personnel file.
“Thanks for listening to me ramble about the weird intersection of food, drink, and history. I hope you’ve learned something, I hope I made you laugh a time or two. And I have some good news.”
