She flipped the sketch pad around and showed me a pair of boxing gloves drawn in the traditional style with the wordsFight for Lovewritten around them.Instead of an emblem on the back, they had a fleur-de-lis matching the one I’d tattooed on Vanessa in this very samechair.
I met her gaze as she held her breath, waiting for me to say something.Anything.She was crazy if she thought there was a chance in hell I wouldn’tlikeit.
Her impatience took over.“So?What do youthink?”
I reached out and grabbed the sketchbook before sliding a hand around the back of her neck and dragging her down for a kiss.“I fucking love it.You killed it.Now, where is itgonnafit?”
Vanessa pulled back and studied me.“I was thinking hip.You’ve got just enough room left down there, don’t youthink?”
“If you want me to take my pants off, princess, all you have to do is ask.”I winkedather.
Vanessa’s laugh filled the room.“What are you talking about?I barely even have todothat.”
Once her laughter died down, I threaded my fingers through hers and tugged her close again.“You know I’ll fight for you every day.I’ll never stop fighting to be the man you need metobe.”
Her eyes turned shiny.“You’re already exactly the man I need.You challenge me, push me, and dare me to take more from life than I ever thought possible.You were the wild card.The one thing I never planned on.And you’re the best thing to ever happen to me.I love you,Constantine.”
I hauled her into my lap and covered her mouth with mine.In between showing her exactly how I felt, Itoldher.
“Fucking love you, princess.Always.”
Lord
Afew hourslater
Elle had a surprise for me, but I had one for her too.Con left us alone for the unveiling, and I couldn’t wait to see what she’d comeupwith.
“You going to keep me insuspense?”
She shook her head.“You know I suck atsurprises.”
It was true.She did.Too impulsive to keep a secret to save her life.She flipped the sketch pad around and there it was, like she’d snatched the image right out of mybrain.
A chain, links shattered at the ends, but more and more solid as they came together in the middle.The part I hadn’t imagined?A small pocket watch in themiddle.
“What time is thatsetto?”
Elle smiled.“The time I started my jobinterview.”
I huffed out a chuckle.“You mean the time you came into Chains and demanded Ihireyou?”
“Call it whatever you want.Perfect timing.Me saving your ass.Fate.The time you changed my life.”She shrugged withagrin.
“Let’s go with the best thing that ever happenedtome.”
“That works for me.”She studied my face.“So, do youlikeit?”
I nodded and reached into my pocket.“I love it.But not nearly as much as Iloveyou.”
I dropped to one knee on the floor of my brother’s tattoo shop, and Elle’s mouthfellopen.
“Oh my God.”Her eyes went wide and filled with tears.“Areyou—”
“If you’ll let me talk, you’llfindout.”
Her lipssnappedshut.
“You blew into my life like a hurricane, and I’ve never been so caught off guard.You’re not just my better half, you’re my partner in everything I do.You make this life an adventure, and I can’t wait to wake up every morning to see where it’s going to takeusnext.”