Her mom had finally insisted that Larry and Amber grow up and stop leeching off her. Her dad had admitted to Lexie that he was terrified of losing her mom after the heart attack. He cried, and Lexie began to realize that she hadn’t been the best daughter either. She should have realized the trauma her parents were going through.
“Lexie.” Nick strode up and stopped in front of her.
Her heart tripped, the same as it always did when he called her name. She didn’t know why he wanted to meet her here tonight, but he knew how much she loved the little resort park. “Is your class over already?” She’d watched him many times when he worked out, sparred, or taught. She was always stunned at the power and grace in his moves.
“Yep.” He reached down and pulled her into his arms. “You’re cold.”
She pressed her face into his T-shirt. “Not anymore. Hmm, you smell good.” He must’ve showered at the studio after his class.
He put his hand on the back of her head. “You love it here by this fountain, don’t you?”
She looked up at him. “Yes. It’s where I found myself that night, then I found you.”
He smiled. “Come here.” He dropped his hand, pulling her closer to the fountain.
She laughed, hanging back. “The water’s cold!”
Nick turned to face her. “That night, when I went after you and saw you standing in the water, I knew then. I was in love with you. And each day, I love you more.”
Her heart melted. “I love you too.”
He reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small box.
Her heart stuttered.
Nick opened the box and took out a ring. It sparkled in the moonlight and caught all the colors of the footlights. He reached for her left hand. “Marry me, Lexie.”
She stared at him sliding the ring on her finger.
“Here, in the place where we found each other. I don’t care if you want a big wedding or a small one. Please marry me.”
She lifted her gaze to his face. “Oh, Nick. I love you. Yes, I’ll marry you. But can it be small? Just us, your mom, sister and her husband, and my family?”
He frowned. “Including your asshole brother?”
“Yes, including him.”
He pulled her close into his arms. “Anything for you.” He kissed her long and slow, his hands skimming beneath her shirt to brand her back.
Fiery heat bloomed between them. Her nipples throbbed and her belly tightened with need. Lexie pulled back to get her breath. “You always do this to me.”
“Do what?”
“Make me want you with just a kiss.”
His mouth curved into a wickedly arrogant grin. “I was a confirmed bachelor until you came along and rocked my world with that first kiss. But tell me, Miss Wedding Planner—”
She didn’t bother correcting him with her current title of Event Coordinator since she still planned a few weddings. “What?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Aren’t you wondering why I didn’t get down on my knees to pop the question?”
Nope. His proposal was perfect, beautiful and real like the man himself. But she’d play along. “Because you didn’t want to be cliché?”
Nick sank his hand into her silky hair, tilting her head up to stare into her eyes. “Because I’m going to get down on my knees for something else.” He walked her back toward the fountain. “I’m going to kiss you until you come. Just like that night, only this time you’ll have my ring on your finger and my heart in your hands.”
“Nick!” A rush of love, lust and laughter swarmed over her, drenching her in happiness. “It’s cold and someone might see us!”
He scooped her up into his arms and carried her out of the little park. “Then we’ll go to the room I reserved for us. But I’m going to have you. Tonight and always.”
She framed his face in her palms and smiled. “You already do.”
~The End~
Other Books by Jennifer Lyon
The Savaged Illusions Series
Savaged Surrender, A Novella
The Plus One Chronicles Trilogy
The Proposition (Book #1)
Possession (Book #2)
Obsession (Book #3)
The Plus One Chronicles Boxed Set
The Wing Slayer Hunter Series
Blood Magic (Book #1)
Soul Magic (Book #2)
Night Magic (Book #3)
Sinful Magic (Book #4)
Forbidden Magic (Book #4.5 a novella)
Caged Magic (Book #5)
Writing as Jennifer Apodaca
Once A Marine Series
The Baby Bargain (Book #1)
Her Temporary Hero (Book #2)
Exposing The Heiress (Book #3)
About the Author
Jennifer Lyon is the pseudonym for USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Apodaca. Jen lives in Southern California where she continually plots ways to convince her husband that they should get a dog. After all, they met at the dog pound, fell in love, married and had three wonderful sons. So far, however, she has failed in her doggy endeavor. She consoles herself by pouring her passion into writing books. To date, Jen has published more than twenty books and novellas, won numerous awards and had her books translated into multiple languages, but she still hasn’t come up with a way to persuade her husband that they need a dog.
Jen loves connecting with fans. Visit her website at www.jenniferlyonbooks.com or follow her at https://www.facebook.com/jenniferlyonbooks.
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