Page 97 of Lock 'em Down

“Running into Levi was by chance. But talking to him made me come to terms with some things that I’ve held on to for a long time. He had emailed me twice in the past month.”

“Seriously?” Leif asks.

I nod. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I don’t know why I didn’t. I just wanted to put the past to rest. And the other day, I did.”

“Levi didn’t try to…you know?” He gestures his hand in a circle.

“No. Not at all. In fact, he said I deserve a man like you. And that he deserved the hit you delivered.”

Leif snorts. “Great. So now I can’t even hate him.”

I roll my lips together to keep from smiling. “There’s nothing to hate because it doesn’t matter anymore. He doesn’t matter. Your friends’ opinions don’t matter. The woman from the wedding that you dated?—”

“It was a coffee and a lunch,” he growls, his eyes blazing.

Oh. Well, that makes me feel better.

But, focusing on the matter at hand… “That doesn’t matter either. The only thing that matters is me and you. And the future we claim together. I want to be with you, Leif. Not because of a fun night in Vegas but because I can’t imagine a future without you in it. I love you so much it terrifies me. And it’s the best type of fear. It’s because I care, and for the first time, I truly have something to lose. You. I never want to lose you, Leif, but I understand if my actions make it impossible for?—”

This time, he does cut me off. Because he strides to me so quickly, I can’t react. Then, his hands are holding my waist, and his mouth is on mine, kissing me hard. “I could never not want you, Camille. I will choose you over and over and over again if that’s what you need.”

“I just need you, Leif. Not a piece of paper. Not a ring, even though I love the purple crown. I don’t need anything but you.”

Leif chuckles. “I’ve been going out of my freaking mind.”

“Me too. And I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ghost me, babe. I know this is new and we’re figuring things out, but I need you to talk to me. To be honest. To be in this with me.”

I nod, lacing my fingers with his. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, Leif. Not this time.”

“Promise?”

“I swear it.” I make an X over my heart, and he smirks.

Then, he drops to his knees. He looks up at me and those electric eyes pin me in place. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a blue ribbon. A diamond on the end catches the light and I gasp. “Leif,” I say slowly.

“I know you don’t need the diamond. But I want you to have one anyway,” he says sheepishly. Leif looks up at me and for a second, he looks boyish. Vulnerable and thoughtful and more beautiful than any man I’ve ever known. “You gave me more than stakes, Cami. You gave me everything I dreamed of and with you, I’ve grown into the man I always hoped to become. Camille Coleman, my heart, will you marry me again?”

I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face. “Yes. Always yes.”

Leif slides the ring on my finger but keeps his hold on the ribbon. He tugs gently and I drop to my knees, throwing my arms around his neck to kiss him.

Our kiss is edged in giddy delirium. Like a dream come true. We’re laughing and crying, a tumultuous coming together of emotions. I let myself feel them all, knowing that this is living. This is choice. This is the euphoria I want.

“I’ll never get enough of calling you my wife,” he murmurs, kissing the underside of my jaw. “This season, I can’t wait to see you wear my jersey. My name and number on your back.”

“It’ll be my name too,” I remind him.

He pulls back and lifts an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t want to be a Bang?”

I shake my head. “I was naïve about that. I want to be a Bang more than anything in the world.”

Leif’s flingers flex on my hip. “You already are, beautiful.”

I keep my arms dangling over his shoulders as I kiss him again. This time it’s soft and deep and slow. “Leif,” I murmur.

“Yeah?” He buries his face in my neck.

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