Page 28 of My Pucking Valentine

They don’t have to wait long because I don’t even have to think about the answer. I knew it the moment I opened the little ring box. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the ring as I slowly stand up.

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and keep my gaze on his before I answer. “Yes, Luke Sullivan, I will marry you.”

Taking the ring out of the box, I slip it on my finger as tears fall down my cheeks. Everything, every little piece of drama, somehow instantly melts away in this moment. I am going to marry the man I love.

Valentine’s Day may have seemed like the absolute worst day of my life, but it led to the complete best day of my life, so I can’t be too mad at it. Even if it’s sucked, even if there are going to be some more stories that surface, I don’t care anymore. I’m happy. I’m in love, and everyone else can kick rocks.

TWENTY-FIVE

CLARA

I keepthe ring in my pocket. I want Luke to put it on my finger himself. After the proposal, two security guards gathered us and took us to another part of the arena where we were kind of away from everyone else. When the game ended, they brought us to a door and told us to stay there.

It’s the locker room door.

Sarah and Barbara have checked their makeup at least five times, but I’m too nervous to even breathe, let alone check my face. Sucking in a breath, I hold it as I hear the voices on the other side of the door.

They’re being loud, no doubt celebrating their victory. But I can’t think of anything other than the fact that Luke proposed to me. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the speech he gave and the future.

I was more than happy to accept because I do love him. But now that I’ve been thinking about everything, I’m wondering if it was a bad idea. Was it a bad idea? I mean, he’s still my stepbrother. Are people going to accept us? Am I going to lose my job?

I’m not sure how long I can stand outside of the locker room door while the girls whisper with excitement. I need to see Luke. I have to talk to him… now. I’m not sure what happens next. Everything is a blur, and it’s like I totally black out or something.

The next moment, I wrench the door open and walk inside but see nothing. My focus is straight ahead, and when I turn a corner, that’s when I see Luke. He’s standing with his back to me. I slide my tongue along my bottom lip at the sight of him shirtless, with a towel wrapped around his waist.

The light catches the water droplets on his back, and my whole body seizes. It’s that sexy. As if he feels me ogling him, he slowly turns around, his eyes lifting and connecting to mine. We are staring at one another for a moment. Then his brows shoot up as if he realizes that I’m here in front of him.

“Clara,” he hisses. “You’re in the locker room.”

My entire body jerks, bringing me out of my fog and back to reality. I flick my gaze from side to side and see at least three sets of naked butt cheeks, and instantly, my face heats. I close my eyes and let out an exhale as I completely and totally retreat into myself.

Luke’s chuckle breaks my inward embarrassment. When I bring my gaze back to meet his, he takes a step toward me. His muscles are on display. He’s sexy as all sin, and my breath hitches when he wraps his arm around me, pulling me against him.

I press my hands against his warm, muscular chest. Tilting my head back, I look up into his eyes. His lips twitch into a smile as his gaze searches my own. I don’t know how this is happening, but instantly, I realize that I don’t regret saying yes.

People’s judgments be damned.

I love this man.

If I have to hide out in a cave with him, just the two of us, then that’s what I’ll do—happily. Pressing my lips together, I try to keep from attacking him right here. Luke cups my cheeks. He dips his chin down slightly, and then his lips are brushing mine, but he doesn’t deepen the kiss, not the way I want him to.

When he starts to pull his hands away, I lift mine and grip his wrists to keep him there. “You’re in the men’s locker room,” he murmurs.

“I don’t care,” I breathe against his lips. “I love you, Luke.”

He groans, resting his forehead against mine. “I love you, Clara.”

God.

I want him.

Right here.

Then, before I realize what’s happening, he spins me around and backs me up against the wall. Lifting his head from mine, his eyes search my face.

“Baby,” he rasps.

“Please, Luke.”

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