Page 53 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

He smiles, as he pulls me into his embrace. “It’s all because of you, Em,” he says softly. “You inspire me to be better every day.”

I reach up and kiss him, loving the warmth of his mouth on mine, his breath on my face.

He deepens the kiss, one hand sliding into my hair to angle my head. I melt against him, heat building in me as giddy joy swirls in my chest. When we break apart, we’re both a little breathless.

“I love you,” I say softly, still close enough that my lips brush his with every word. “So much.”

He smiles down at me, blue eyes glinting. “I love you too.” He ducks his head, nuzzling his nose into my neck. “You’ve made me the luckiest man on earth.”

“Funny,” I murmur. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

His laughter is warm and rough, vibrating against my skin. “Then it seems we were made for each other, Mrs. Walker.” He pulls back and looks at me. “I can see it now. A beach wedding at sunset, surrounded by a team of jujitsu warriors.” His eyes sparkle with mischief. “What do you say? Want to get married in paradise?”

My breath catches at the image he paints. A private wedding on the beach, pledging myself to him under the golden light of a setting sun in Dubai. It’s perfect. Romantic and dramatic, just like Lucas. Just like us.

I blink in surprise, then let out a burst of laughter. “Really? Just like that?”

“Hey, why not?” he shrugs, still grinning. “We’ve already got the backdrop for some epic wedding photos, and we can start our lives together as husband and wife right away. Plus, it’ll be one hell of a story to tell our grandkids someday.”

“Getting married in a foreign country while overseeing an international jujitsu championship?” I muse, my mind racing at the thought.

“Exactly!” he agrees, his enthusiasm infectious. “Besides, do you really want to wait any longer? What’s the point, Mrs. Walker?”

“Mrs. Walker, huh?” I say, testing the name on my tongue. “I have to admit, it does have a nice ring to it.”

“See? It’s perfect,” he insists, wrapping his arms around me again. “So, Emily, will you marry me in Dubai?”

“If you’re completely serious, Mr. Walker,” I say softly. “Then the answer is yes. A thousand times yes.”

His arms tighten around me, crushing me close against his hard chest. I feel the acceleration of his heart under my palm, the warmth of his breath against my hair. “Completely serious,” he whispers.

I laugh, blinking back the sting of tears. “It sounds perfect.”

He pulls back to look down at me, eyes shining with emotion. “Well, sounds like we’ve got some extra planning to do, and very little time to do it. But I’ll make it happen, no matter what.” He dips his head again, sealing his promise with a deep, claiming kiss.

When we finally break apart, I’m breathless for an entirely different reason. “So,” I say lightly, “Now we’re going to be in ever bigger trouble with Chloe.”

He laughs. “It’s perfect. She was too self-consumed by her own wedding anyway.” He shakes his head with a huff. “Maybe she’ll see it’s not about her all the time.”

“You really think so?” I chuckle.

“Nope. But one can dream.”

Chapter Twenty-Four (Lucas)

I watch as my fighters gather at the gym for our final ceremony before leaving for the Dubai showcase. Their excitement and anticipation fill the air, and I feel a surge of pride for what we’ve built together. My gaze drifts to Emily, standing near the edge of the group, looking gorgeous in the new white gi I bought her. The white belt tied around her waist highlights her slender figure, and I know she’s trying her best to blend in, though I can see the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s begin!” I call out, and the room quiets down. We form a circle, hands on each other’s shoulders, feeling the strength in our unity. This Brazilian Jujitsu ceremony is an essential part of our tradition, invoking good luck, health, and wellness for the upcoming battles.

The music begins, a rhythmic beat that echoes through the space, and one of Carlo’s fighters starts pounding on a drum, adding depth to the sound. The team unifies as one through the music and traditional ritual, and I think about how far we’ve come since our rivalry with Carlo began. Despite his underhanded tactics, we’ve stayed true to our morals, and it shows in the solidarity among us.

As the chanting starts, the energy in the room shifts, lifting higher with each syllable. The words are ancient, passed down through generations of fighters, and they carry the weight of our collective dreams and aspirations. I join in, letting the sounds pour from my soul, feeling the power it brings.

“Lucas,” Emily whispers, leaning into me, “I don’t know the words.”

I chuckle quietly, not wanting to break the spell. “Just hum along. It’s more about the feeling than the lyrics.”

She nods, closing her eyes for a moment as she finds the rhythm, her body swaying ever so slightly. I smile at her determination to be a part of this, to support me and my team in every way possible.

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