Page 73 of Captivating

“I’m not worried about the fight, princess. That’ll be the easiest part of the night. I’m worried about all the attention you’re going to get that I won’t be able to protect you from.”

I bury my face in his hoodie and breathe in his clean, crisp, oceany scent. “We should sneak away to a beach as soon as my tour is over. Just you and me and a hut over the ocean, where no one can see us and you can destroy every bikini I bring.”

“With my teeth?” He grins, and I melt into a puddle of goo.

“Yeah, champ. With your teeth. Now go win me a fight, so I can plan this for us without your schedule getting in our way.” I push him away and smack his ass. “I love you, St. James.”

“So fucking much, Lilah Belle... So fucking much.”

Killian

“Did you get it?” Maddox asks as Hudson tapes my hands, while the official stands there, watching and waiting to sign off on the move.

I nod but don’t say anything. I’m gonna kill my cousin, and judging by the shit-eating grin on his pretty-boy face, the fucker knows it too.

“Get what?” Hudson asks as he switches to the other hand.

“Dude,” Rome joins in, and I’m gonna fucking kill them all. “Did you get the ring?”

Hudson stops taping and stares at me. “Ho-ly fucking shit. Are you asking Lilah Ryan to marry you?”

“What the hell are you all gossiping like little fucking girls about over here?” Dad bitches, and Hud goes back to taping myright hand. Dad looks at each of us. “Nothing to say now?Good. Get your head in the fight.”

Hudson rips the tape, then taps my knuckles and moves so the official can sign off on them. We’re three fights out from mine. A solid twenty minutes, and the excess energy kicks in right about now, just like it does every time. Tonight, it’s worse though. I walk over to Maddox when he pulls out his phone. “Is she out there?”

“Yeah, Mav’s got her. You want her in here?”

“Yeah.” For the first time in hours, the calm starts to settle, even with the look Dad is throwing my way.

A minute later, the doors open, and Maverick and Lilah walk in, and my head spins.

She’s wearing a short purple-ish pink dress that ties around her neck and makes her tits look incredible. Her hair is pulled back at the sides and falling down her back in waves. Stacks of gold bracelets are around both wrists, and that old golden, strawberry pendant is around her neck. And when she sees me, her glossy pink lips split into the biggest smile as she practically runs into my arms. “Damn, baby. You look fucking hot.”

“So do you, babe. You look kinda scary for everyone who isn’t me,” she teases, then looks around the room at all the people. “I don’t think I realized your team is this big.”

“It’s fight night. Everyone is here. But Hudson, Dad, and Maddox are the only ones who will be on the cage.” I look around the room and catch Hud’s eye. “Hey. Can I have the room for a few minutes?”

He nods and fist-bumps me. “Focus, kid.”

I nod and watch as he clears the room.

Dad doesn’t look thrilled, but he leaves.

“Look at you, hot shot. You’re all sorts of important,” she teases, and this right here, this is what I needed.Her. She wrapsher arms around my neck and digs her thumb into the muscle. “What’s the first thing you want to eat after the fight?”

“You.” I grin and lick my lips. “All night long.”

“Killian...” she giggles, and that sound. Fuck me, that sound is everything.

“Fine. Tomorrow, I want blueberry pancakes from The Busy Bee. With a side of bacon and sausage, and real maple syrup, and a bigass glass of orange juice.” I rest my gloved hands on her perfect ass and pull her closer. “But I swear to God, Lilah. You’re all I want to eat tonight. I don’t want to party. No bars. No clubs. I want to go home with you and celebrate.” Truer words...

“Sounds like you better win then, champ.”

I pull the ring from my pocket and hold it up in front of her. “Pretty sure that’s up to you, princess.”

“Killian,” she gasps and steps back. “Oh my God.”

Her smile is big and beautiful and tear-filled.

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