Knock Out (The Billionaire's Club: New Orleans)
Page 10
“You don’t have to stop, you know.”
She opened her eyes, watching in pleasure as Sebastian stepped over the lower rope and into the ring. He’d showered and changed after the press conference had ended, and the worn jeans, black shirt, black boots, and black leather jacket made him look even more like a brawler than usual.
“I don’t know how it would work,” she said, her voice hushed. She was tired, battered, and bruised, and it all felt good.
He moved to the center of the ring, a man who knew how to move his body for the best possible result. A man comfortable with who and what he was. A man who loved her unconditionally. “If it’s what you want, Renata, we’ll make it work,” he said, his voice ringing with quiet assurance. “We’re not going to let anyone stand in the way of our dreams. Not even ourselves.”
She did a slow spin in the center of the ring, taken in the empty arena. “It was amazing.”
“You were amazing. You always were. You always will be.”
She laughed. “You’re talking like you’re the one who’s punch-drunk, not me.”
He stopped in front of her, blue eyes shining with love and assurance. “Rennie, I’ve watched you fight from a distance. This is my first time seeing you fight up close. You are absolutely, positively, undoubtedly amazing. If this is what you want to do, you should do it.”
Hesitation pulled at her because while she wanted to do this, she also wanted her life with Bas, her family with Bas. “I don’t want to have to choose between us and the ring.”
“Who says you have to?” He gathered her hands in his. “Renata, we’re together. We’re in this together. We’re always going to be together. That means I got your back no matter what. You want to defend your title this year, next year, the year after that? Do it. You want to go on a speaking tour and show off your belt and tell your story to young girls so you can inspire them? Go for it. If you want to focus on being a mother, that’s not a problem either. Want to do it all? I say why not? I just want you to know that no matter what, I am here. I’m here, Renata. I’ll have your back, carry your bag, and rub your feet. I’ll help you train and manage your career with you. I’ll very enthusiastically work on filling our house with our babies and learn to change diapers. Whatever you do, whatever you want to do, however you want to do it, I’ll do it with you.”
“Bas.” Tears sprang to her eyes. If she’d ever doubted how he felt for her, she never would again.
He knelt in front of her. “I love you, Rennie. Every part of you—the fighter, the mother, the lover. And for some crazy reason, you’ve decided that you love me. You’re willing to take a chance on me and I’d be a fool to not do everything in my power to make you happy.”
He reached into his jacket pocket, then pulled out a black velvet box. “Every time I won a bout or made a million I bought a ring for you,” he confessed. “But I kept switching it out until I found something that I felt really suited you and a regular diamond wouldn’t cut it.”
He opened the box, revealing a flawless, gleaming, red center stone encircled by a ring of clear stones set in a gleaming, studded platinum band. “It’s a red diamond flanked by flawless white diamonds. I saw the stone and it reminded me of you and your fire and I knew I had to get it for you.”
“Oh, God, Bas, did you really buy me a ring every year?”
“Every time I won—whether it was a match or a business deal, as a statement that I was ready to win you back. This one was delivered to me just before I left LA.”
A smile wreathed his entire face. “Renata Maria Giordano, you are the love of my life. You’re my peace, my center, my proof that there’s a heaven. Tonight you’ve proven what I already knew—that you’re the best of the best. I’d be the happiest man alive if you would do me the honor of letting me share your life, your dreams, your hopes, and your joys. I am yours and you are mine and I want the whole world to know that we stand together. Will you marry me?”
His fingers shook as he plucked the ring out of the box and slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand. It fit perfectly. “What do you say, Renata? Will you do whatever you want with the rest of your life as Mrs. Giordano-Delacroix, knowing I’m with you every step of the way?”
“Yes,” she said. “On one condition.”
Wariness dimmed his eyes. “Name it.”
“Can we get married here in Vegas? I want to have a formal wedding back in New Orleans, but I don’t want to leave Vegas until I’m your wife.”
“Thank God.” He smiled, strain falling away from his features, making him appear almost boyish. “I already booked you a spa appointment first thing in the morning, then a fitting in our suite right after. We’ll be married by sunset.”
She pulled him to his feet. “I love the way you think, Mr. Delacroix.”
“And I love everything about you, soon-to-be Mrs. Delacroix.”
Read all three parts of the Billionaire’s Club: New Orleans sensational e-series!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mallery Malone is a multi-published author of contemporary and historical romance of all heat levels. An avid reader, she loves to create worlds and characters that strike a deep emotional connection.
Mallery lives on the outskirts of Atlanta with her guitar hero husband, several cannibal fish, and two standard poodles who think they’re lapdogs. When not working the day job, she spends her time hanging out with friends, people watching, and working on her next writing project.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
“Knock Out” copyright © 2014 by Mallery Malone.
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eISBN 978-1-4668-5482-6
First eBook Edition: July 2014
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