Page 80 of The Cleaner

He chuckles softly, pressing a tender kiss to my lips. "You're amazing," he murmurs against my mouth.

Reluctantly, he pulls out of me and rolls to the side, gathering me into his arms. I snuggle against his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat as it gradually slows. His fingers trace lazy patterns on my back, and I sigh contentedly. I know I need to get cleaned up, but I’m so happy just lying here with him.

"I love you," I whisper, tilting my head to look up at him. It’s easier to say the words now. I never thought I’d ever get to this position where I’d be this happy or in love, but Maverick makes it so easy.

His eyes soften, and he brushes a stray lock of hair from my face. "I love you too, baby. More than you could ever know."

I can't help but think about how far we've come. How far I’ve come. I used to be so scared about losing him that I never gave him all of me. Now, he has every single part of me, and I’ve never felt so at peace.

Maverick shifts beside me, propping himself up on one elbow to gaze down at me. His gorgeous brown eyes are soft and filled with an emotion that makes my heart skip a beat.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine.

I trace the line of his jaw with my fingertips, feeling the rough stubble beneath my touch. "Us," I admit. "How lucky I am to have found you and how grateful I am that you were so certain about me that you never gave up on me."

He catches my hand in his, bringing it to his lips to press a kiss to my palm. "I'll never give up on you," Maverick says softly, his eyes intense as they hold mine. "You're it for me, baby. The one I've been waiting for my whole life."

His words make my heart swell with emotion. I lean up to capture his lips in a tender kiss, pouring all my love andgratitude into it. When we part, I rest my forehead against his, savouring the closeness.

"I never thought I could have this," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. "Someone who loves me completely. Someone I trust with my whole heart."

Maverick's arm tightens around me, pulling me closer. "You deserve all of it and more," he murmurs. "I'm the lucky one here."

I frown as he reaches behind him. “Everything okay?” I ask, wondering what’s going on.

My breath hitches as I see a blue box in his hands. “I had planned to do this on Christmas Day, but fuck, baby, this right here is the perfect time.”

He opens the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring nestled inside. My heart stops as I realise what's happening.

"I love you more than I ever thought possible," Maverick says, his voice thick with emotion. "You've shown me what true happiness feels like. I want to wake up next to you every morning, and fall asleep with you in my arms every night. I want to build a life and a family with you." Tears blur my vision as he continues. "Will you marry me?"

For a moment, I'm speechless, completely stunned by this. "Yes," I whisper, then louder, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!"

He slides the ring onto my finger as happy tears slide down my face. “Fuck,” he growls, sliding his arms around me. “We’ll plan it for Valentine’s Day,” he says.

"Valentine's Day?" I gasp, my mind reeling. "That's only two months away!"

Maverick grins, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Why wait? I've waited my whole life for you. I don't want to waste another day not being your husband."

"Valentine's Day," I repeat, testing the words on my tongue. "It's perfect."

He pulls me in for another passionate kiss, his hands roaming over my body. I can feel him hardening against my thigh, and a fresh wave of desire washes over me.

"Round two?" I suggest, arching an eyebrow. I’ll never ever get enough of this man, and now he’s my fiancé and soon to be my husband. I have no idea when my life turned around and the crap stopped and the good began, but I’m so damn happy that it did. It led me to him. My perfect man.

"God, I love you," Maverick growls, rolling me onto my back.

Epilogue

MAVERICK

Four Weeks Later

"Congrats, Mav,"Danny says as he slides onto the stool beside me. "Lis is over the moon that you and Lisa are engaged. I swear she pierced my eardrums with the scream she let out when she got the text."

I chuckle, knowing that he's not exaggerating, because after Lisa sent out the text, Melissa called her and was still screaming with excitement. "Thanks, man," I reply, taking a sip of my beer. “Although, I think half the neighbourhood heard Melissa screaming on the phone to Lisa," I say through laughter.

Danny claps me on the back. "Lis adores Lisa. Though I gotta say, my wife is in a mood. Apparently, she feels neglected that she didn’t get a proposal.”

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