Page 144 of Worth the Risk

We stay in our pleasured state for a long time before he gently removes himself, taking care not to hurt me. Crawling up the bed, I flatten my body to it. I’m exhausted from that round and have nothing left to give.

Leo chuckles as he places tender kisses from my back to my neck.Mmm… that feels good.I could fall asleep. With my head to the side, he brings his lips to my ear and whispers, “Are you okay?”

He’s worried about how far he took me. I hear it in his concerned voice.

To ease his worries, I answer, “I’m fine. Don’t worry. If I hadn’t wanted you to do it, I would have said no. I enjoyed it. You don’t think I knew this would eventually happen? I knew and wanted it just as much as you.”

My words calm him. “I fuckin’ love you, Kylie Sullivan. Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

“After what I just let you do to my ass, you better,” I joke.

Leo chuckles.

He gives me one last kiss on my lips before he gets up and heads into the bathroom. The jacuzzi tub turns on, and I know he’s getting it ready for me. He always draws a bath when he’s concerned he might have taken me too hard. I’m slightly achy in places where I’ve never ached before, so as much as I want to fall asleep, maybe a bath is necessary.

Lifting me, Leo carries me bridal style to the bathroom.

Hmm… bridal style. Will he ever carry me over a threshold? I hope so.

ChapterForty-Four

Leo

One month later…

Sitting in a private area of a restaurant with my girls, I won’t lie—I am nervous as hell. Tonight is the night I propose to Kylie. Some might say it’s too soon, but this moment has been over five years in the making.

Too long, if you ask me.

These past months of being with Kylie have only cemented how deep my love is for her. I’ve never been as happy as I am with her and Riley in my life. Six months ago, I was barely living. Partying, women, and alcohol were my vices. Now Kylie and Riley are here, and I’m addicted to them. When I’m not with them, all I think about is being with them.This is how it should have always been.

I wait for Riley to finish her food. She’s got to be the slowest eater I’ve ever met. Or it could just be my nerves making me impatient.

“All done,” Riley announces, and those are the two words I’ve been waiting for what feels like years for her to speak.

I signal the server for our dessert, and within minutes, he brings us a chocolate cake with mousse on top—Riley’s favorite—and champagne for Kylie.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t order this,” Kylie tells the server, pointing at the champagne glass.

Smiling, he simply turns away and leaves.

Kylie’s curious eyes follow him before she looks at me.

Before she can say anything, I kneel on one knee in front of her, reach into my pocket, and retrieve the box that has been burning a hole in it. When I open it for her to see inside, her eyes grow big as her hands fly up to cover her mouth, tears forming in her eyes. Riley is clapping, but my focus is on Kylie.

I clear my throat.

“Kylie, my girl, my friend, my one. I’ve loved you for five long years, and even through the times we were apart, you have stayed in my heart. With you and Riley, my life has become whole again, and my darkness has turned to light. I thank you for your sunshine. We took some hard roads to get to this place, but we have become stronger together as one. I love you not only for who you are but who I am when I’m with you.” I take a breath. “Kylie, say you will be mine and share this life with me?”

Tears are streaming down Kylie’s face, and I don’t think she can speak yet.

“Mommy, Daddy’s waiting. Say yes already,” Riley says, and I chuckle.

That’s my girl.

“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.” Kylie cries as she slips in front of me and hugs me tightly. When she pulls away, I see nothing but love shining in her teary eyes.

“May I give you your ring now?” I ask.

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