Page 94 of Gamble
But it was her heart—and more accurately, her gut—that made the decision for her. Leaning in to kiss him softly, Reagan let her answer come from the place that had recognized him as hers from that very first night in Vegas.
“I don’t want to spend another night away from you either,” she said against his lips. “But I do have to insist on one critical condition.”
“Anything,” he grinned, relief and joy lighting up his features. “You name it.”
“You have to promise to take me to work with you on the weekends. I can’t wait for you to show off your Shibari skills on me.”
Elijah’s laugh was pure happiness as he pulled her closer. “It’s a deal.”
EPILOGUE
ELIJAH
The late October evening was perfect for an outdoor concert, with just enough chill in the air to make the leather jacket Elijah wore feel comfortable rather than stifling. As their driver navigated through the pre-concert traffic toward the Rose Bowl, he couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Reagan practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.
Three months of living together had only made him love her more. Watching her embrace not just their relationship but the entire world of Black Light had been a revelation. She’d thrown herself into learning about BDSM with the same methodical thoroughness she brought to her nursing career, and the results had been... spectacular.
“I still can’t believe you actually delivered on one of your very first promises to me,” Reagan said, squeezing his hand as the massive stadium came into view. “VIP seats to a Crushing Stones concert. When you said that in the wax museum in Vegas, I thought you were just trying to impress me.”
“You should know by now not to doubt me,” Elijah replied with mock indignation. “Have I ever promised you something I didn’t deliver?”
Reagan’s cheeks flushed pink, and he knew she was thinking about all the very intimate promises he’d made and kept over the past few months. “No,” she said softly. “You always keep your word.”
“Always,” he confirmed, bringing her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
As their driver pulled up to the VIP entrance, Elijah felt a familiar surge of satisfaction. He’d taken the Friday night off from Black Light specifically for this—Reagan’s first Crushing Stones concert, surrounded by the people who’d become like their extended family. Tyler could handle the club for the night, especially since most of their celebrity members would be here, anyway.
The private party room was already buzzing with conversation and laughter when they arrived. Elijah spotted the Cartwright-Davidson clan immediately—Jaxson looking relaxed in jeans and a concert t-shirt while Chase dashed after five-year-old Alicia and Emma tried to corral a rambunctious Andrew, who was clearly determined to touch everything in the room.
“Uncle Elijah!” Both twins spotted him simultaneously and came running. He caught them in a group hug, marveling at how much they’d grown since the summer.
“Hey there, troublemakers.” He used his favorite nickname for the twins. “Are you excited to see Uncle Cash perform?”
“Yes, but Papa wouldn’t let me bring the drum set Uncle Cash gave me for my birthday last month,” Andrew said with the indignation of a five-year-old who had been told no.
“We may enjoy your practicing while at home…” Emma grimaced, making it clear the word ‘enjoy’ and ‘drums’ didn’t belong in the same sentence before she continued, “We aren’t going to schlep those drums all around town with us,” Emma answered her son while approaching with a warm smile for Reagan.
“I suspect you three gave Cash hell for giving a full drum set to a five-year-old,” Elijah said, kissing Emma’s cheek as a hello.
“Jaxson is ready to kill him,” she confirmed with a chuckle. “He’s already started buying a whole collection of loud gifts for Natasha’s Christmas present.”
Cash’s wife, Samantha, joined them, a grimace on her face. “I told him not to get Andy those damn drums, but he didn’t listen to me. Why am I going to have to suffer the payback?”
Next to him, Reagan giggled, enjoying the good-natured banter between their friends. And they were their friends. Everyone had embraced Reagan into the fold as if she’d been there forever, and he was damn grateful.
“How are you settling in with this old grump?” Emma asked his girl with a mischievious grin on her face.
“She’s perfect,” Elijah said before Reagan could answer. “Too good for me, but I’m not giving her back.”
“Smart man,” Jaxson said, joining their group, clapping him on the shoulder. “Reagan, you look beautiful as always,” Jaxson said, leaning in to kiss her cheek just as Elijah had Emma. He noticed she had a bright flush across her cheeks as their friends continued to rally around them.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Sam added warmly. “Cash and I have been looking forward to spending more time with Elijah’s mystery woman. We aren’t in town here as often as the rest of the gang.” Samantha waved her arm around the VIP box full of their closest friends and family.
“Mystery woman?” Reagan questioned.
“You were definitely a mystery for a while there,” Shane Covington said, appearing beside them with Nalani tucked under his arm. “This old bastard kept you a secret for weeks there at the beginning when he was being a dumbass. He almost fucked around and lost you.”
As the string of foul language spewed from the A-list actor, Emma and Samantha did their best to cover their children’s ears, making Elijah smile.
