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  This really isn’t good.

  “Why?” Levi asks and I snap my head up realizing I said it out loud.

  “I just don’t think it is. You can’t ever hold your temper around him. You two together are like dynamite with the shortest fuses known to man.”

  “I haven’t seen him since crossing over into the professionals and leaving his crooked ass on his knees wondering where it all went wrong.” He lifts his shoulder with a smile. “Never know. I may shake his hand.”

  A laugh bubbles out of me. “I don’t believe that for one second.”

  “Why not? I may surprise you. I’ve got everything he’s wanted.” He winks with a triumphant grin.

  After we finish our meals, we decide to take a walk on the beach. The sun is setting, the air around us warm and the breeze cool like a fleeting paradise whipping across our skin at the perfect time. The orange burn from the sun glints off the ocean waters, painting the blue canvas with purple and gray splashes.

  We walk hand in hand as the wet sand sinks under our heels and the rhythmic white lacy waves gently rush to wash over our feet.

  Being from the mountains, I crave the sandy shore. There’s a different sense of calm here. At home, the trees rustle in the wind and create a soft pitched hum to lull your worries away. Here, the ocean is hypnotic, promising peace and tranquility in its serenity.

  “I love you,” he says, peering down from the corner of his eye.

  I smile back. “If the ocean makes you sweet like this all the time, I vote we move.”

  His chuckle is low when he stops and molds my body against his. “I mean it, Sunshine. I tend to forget what you go through with me. You inconvenience yourself to convenience me. I hope you know I see it.”

  I knock on his chest. “Levi? Are you in there? Blink twice if you’re okay?”

  The corners of his lips quirk up.

  Reeling in the sarcasm and indulging in the sweet moment he’s giving me, I quit teasing. I don’t get the sensual often. “I love you, too. You’re worth it and I want to be by your side. I want to support you because I think you’re the best and you deserve the top spot.”

  He bends and kisses me.

  It’s soft, unlike Levi.

  It’s tender, opposite of all things Levi.

  It’s passionate, identical to his attitude.

  His tongue dances with mine and with a rumble in his chest that vibrates under my hands, he groans, cupping the back of my head and deepening the kiss. There’s a sense of romance, the feeling so strange it’s feathering over my skin and I swear I’m all but floating away.

  “Every spot is the top when you’re beside me,” he whispers.

  “I’m not complaining, but really. Are you okay?”

  Love stews in his eyes. “I said something earlier,” he shifts, scratching the back of his neck. “I want you to know I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted too.”

  A swell in my chest tugs at my heart and tears begin to warm my eyes. “You can’t be doing this sweet stuff. You’re going to make me cry,” I warn with a tight throat.

  He kisses my forehead tenderly. “I mean it, Paige. Even if I didn’t have the MMA and only had you, I’d still be the luckiest man.”

  I’m at a loss for words. Levi doesn’t play romanticist often, especially to this degree. He has a hardened way of showing me, one I’ve grown to adore.

  He puffs a chuckle through his nose. “This ocean shit is romantically cliché. I understand why movies make it a big deal. It softens even the biggest man, huh?” He palms my breast and kneads. “I need to get you to the hotel and fuck my man card back.”

  Ah. There he is…

  His hand drifts and cups between my legs. I push his chest. “There are people around,” I whisper-hiss through a giggle.

  He arches his brow and licks his lips. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter 4

  Levi: Meet me at the gym when you get off work.

  Groaning, I pull my apron off and toss it under the counter.

  “I’m so glad this day is over,” Holly says, mirroring my actions, except her apron tumbles off mine and falls to the floor. “See. It’s a sign.” She bends snatching it off the ground. “Do you know how hard it is to come to work when your boyfriend is off work? It’s hard…like really hard,” she whines.

  “Yeah. Daily.” I snicker.

  She rolls her eyes. “Levi’s different. Gym play is his job. Matt rarely ever gets a day off and when he does, it’s normally when I’m scheduled.”

  “I’ve got to meet Levi at the gym,” I tell her.

  Her face bunches up as she squeals quietly and claps her hands. “Gym sex. Lucky bitch.”

  I roll my eyes and laugh. “It’s probably something he needs a second opinion on. Just like the time I had to choose between black and dark gray for the shower curtain.”

  She giggles. “Hard choice. Hope you went with pink. Are we still on for tomorrow?”

  Ah, shopping with Holly. Something I used to loathe, I’ve come to enjoy since we now have the same taste in clothing. We no longer shop in the dark gothic dungeons. Instead, it’s above ground with sunlight and fresh smells.

  “Yeah. Let’s plan a lunch date before we go.”

  “Ohh… Date with the bestie. Love is in our air.” She hugs my neck. “Just text me when you’re on the way. I’ll be ready. I’m headed home to my hottie.”

  Yep. You guessed it. Matt moved in with her several months ago. It only made sense. He basically lived there anyway. They’re inseparable. Always at each other’s side. I’m anxiously waiting for him to propose to her. There’s no denying it’s coming with the way he looks at her.

  It’ll happen.

  Soon.

  I have a feeling.

  Levi’s gym isn’t as extravagant as the one he used in Tennessee. With an old industrial feel of exposed beams and unpainted cement blocks, this one is smaller. It was run down when he purchased it, but he saw past the grime and deterioration. The floors were busted up pretty badly, but he had them redone. Now they’re matte gray with three-quarters of the gym covered in black rubber mats.

  He also hired designers to redo the poor excuse of a bathroom. They busted down walls and put in a huge shower, even including a closet large enough for him to stash clothes and change in.

  Next he hired a cleaning crew to knock all the cobwebs down.

  And then the final touch—the ring.

  He brought back the miserable building, turning it into something vibrant and worth using again.

  He’s hitting the punching bag when I step through the door. I swear the sight of him will never cease to amaze me. It steals my breath every time. Sweat glistens, showcasing his muscles and promoting the tattoo sleeves. His chest is tight and hard. His abs sexy and lickable. His expression is hardened as he concentrates. He’s mouth-watering…

  A wicked grin spreads across his face when he spots me and he stalks my way. The tattoo on his ribcage dances as he moves, sweat causing his skin to shine. His black fohawk is still styled even though he’s been clearly working out hard.

  Dark blue eyes peer at me as he places a kiss on my cheek. He tips his chin. “Go change.”

  I shake the sexy fog away. “I wouldn’t have come had I known you wanted to me to sweat.” I smile up at him.

  Heat flares, dilating his pupils. He licks his lips. “You always sweat when you come.” He arches his brow, proud of his comeback.

  I roll my eyes and saunter away to go change.

  I’m in a purple sports bra with matching leggings when I exit his closet. He’s sitting in the middle of the ring, and when he spots me, he taps the floor.

  “Do I need to wrap my hands?” I ask, knowing at times, he works me out hard.

  He shakes his head. “No need. We’re not kicking ass. Only taking names.”

  I look to his hands. “But yours are.”

  He springs to his feet and reaches out to help me into the ring. “I’ve been here all day. Don’t worry, Suns
hine. You won’t hurt me.”

  “Take out all the fun, would you,” I deadpan.

  A kiss to my cheek. “If you think you can, then bring it, Paperweight.”

  I don’t hear the nickname from him often, but when I do, he’s ready to play.

  He holds his hands up bouncing from foot to foot. We’ve danced this ring so many times I’ve lost count and no longer need instructions where to start. He leads. I follow.

  I hit his hands as he keeps me moving around the ring, not allowing me to plant my feet in one place. Regardless of how much I’ve stared at Levi, I still find him incredibly handsome. With a strong jaw, sexy lips, and the intensity his ocean-like eyes penetrate me with…it’s like I fall in love with him over and over. Being in the ring and seeing this side of him—the side where he’s dead serious, arrogant, and sportive but ludic and fun—reminds me how I couldn’t have won the fight to stay away from him if had I chained myself to the wall in a basement.

  He sends a soft-thrown punch and I duck, but the moment I do, he places the knuckles from his other hand against my face.

  There’s a hint of flirtation playing on his lips. “You took your eyes off me.”

  “I didn’t expect it,” I tell him.

  “Even better reason to keep your eyes on me. Although when you daydream about me, it makes my dick hard.”

  A laugh tears from me. “What if it wasn’t you?” I quip.

  He reaches out and rubs his finger under my bottom lip. “This drool tells me differently.”

  “You’re such a conceited ass.” I roll my eyes.

  We continue, and this time I keep my focus on him and away from his naked body waltzing around in my daydream. I execute a perfect combo, but he steps away from the kick and advances toward me. With punches, I try backing him up, but of course he’s not budging, standing there with an amused look.

  I sling my arms around his waist, bulldozing my shoulder into him, and try pulling him down. He laughs…laughs! And it frustrates me. Quickly, I lurch backward and haul a kick into his leg…and land it.

  “Ha!” I jump up and down celebrating my small victory.

  The corners of his lips pull up and he lunges, wrapping his arms around me. He drops my back to the mat, and I lie stretched out. My arms are pinned above my head, my legs caged by his.

  He glances between us and licks his lips. “You were saying?”

  “You don’t play fair,” I whine trying to pull my hands down.

  Bringing his chest closer to mine, he nudges his nose against mine. “Do I ever?” There’s a hint of mischief in his gaze.

  “I think you were worried I was going to beat you this time,” I say, straight-faced.

  Exhaling a chuckle through his nose, he dips his head and with a heavy tongue laps my neck. A moan escapes me and I rock my hips into him for some friction.

  “Impatient girl…” he whispers huskily against my neck, feathering kisses. “You’re trying to clog my senses.”

  “Is it working?” I sigh, gyrating my hips again.

  He moves his gaze back to me and it’s filled with…nervousness? “Marry me, Paige.”

  Ice cold anger courses my veins. He knows my views on marriage and it’s not a joking matter. “Now that’s not playing fair. Levi, don’t poke fun like that.”

  He chuckles low as he fidgets with his hands and then releases mine. Bringing his arm down, he’s holding a platinum ring with a diamond in front of my face, his blue eyes keeping me hostage. “I’m not.”

  Tears.

  There’s absolutely no use in holding these back.

  All my words are stuck in my throat.

  “You’re it for me, Paige” he says. “I can’t picture my life without you. You’re in my every thought, my every plan. You’ve been my sunshine even when times got dark and dismal. Even when I fucked things up, we proved our love by pulling through, coming out on the other side a degree of strong even I can’t fathom. My heart beats for you. My dick throbs for you,” he says with a sly grin. “I belong to you, day in and day out. I want you as my wife because I need you. You’re my air, Paige. Without you, I’m worthless. Marry me.”

  My tears are streaming down the sides of my face. His eyes are steady, watching me as he continues to hold up the ring.

  I’m nodding, when the word finally escapes. “Yes,” I gasp.

  A grin makes its way to his eyes as he slides the ring onto my finger, and he wastes no time crushing into my lips with an ardent kiss. It’s all so passionate it steals the air from my lungs. I hug him around his neck and pull him closer to me.

  “This isn’t fair…” I sniffle. “I pictured you on your knee when you asked me,” I say, only jesting but trying to get my emotional self back in check.

  He looks down between our bodies. “I’m on both.”

  “I love you so much,” I cry softly.

  Running his thumb over my temples, he breaks up the stream of my flowing happy tears and smiles.

  There’s a sensual moment between us—adoration, bliss, intimate accomplishment, vulnerability—a thousand sensations all colliding together.

  We’ve traveled a rough and zigzagging path. The beginning was infused with all the highs of falling in love—the giddiness, the infatuation—but soon the path under our feet was stained with tears and pain.

  We both equally screwed up…horribly. No one shares more blame than the other. Wallowing in pity, inundated by the hurt from our own hands, everything was dark and desolate. Every time I forged forward, my feet were cemented. Getting over him felt nearly impossible. I knew I wanted Levi in my life, flawed, faults and all.

  Getting back together was the easiest and most challenging thing, but once I gave in, it was all over. I didn’t experience the lack of trust one would think I should have had. Truthfully, I never felt safer in his arms. We grew while apart and strengthened when together. Ferocity is the word that comes to mind when I think of how he loves.

  And I’m engaged to him now.

  He drags a heavy hand up my ribs, the fabric of his wrap rough and arousing, and shoves my sports bra over my breast. I sigh, exhaling a heavy breath as he teases my nipple and circles his tongue before tugging gently with his teeth. I edge forward desperate for some friction. He pushes up and rocks back on his heels, pulling my pants down and watching me with a primal excitement burning in his gaze. After fighting with the tight fabric, he shoves his shorts around his thighs and doesn’t waste any time with foreplay, lining up and pushing forward.

  An unrestrained sigh babbles out of me and I cling to his back, closing my eyes as he withdrawals and then thrusts back in. His pace is steady with perfect strokes, dragging in and out, hitting every glorious spot. He rocks into me and nips my chin.

  Creamy heat drifts over my body.

  “Open your eyes, Paige,” he gruffs with a hard drive forward.

  In this moment, he loves me with his eyes as much as he does with his body. The amount of passion, vigorous intensity, I lose it.

  I cry out, digging my nails into his back.

  He surges deeper, gritting his teeth. “Fuck, Paige,” he hisses.

  “I love you,” I say, overwhelmed with so many different emotions I don’t know where they begin and end.

  His eyes flash wide and he slams into me, burrowing and growling as he spirals into his climax.

  He rests on his elbow to prevent placing all his weight on me and kisses the side of my cheek. He shifts and I admire my diamond ring, my engagement ring. It’s beautiful, a large princess cut diamond with smaller stones set into the band.

  He tosses my pants at me. “I took them off. No way I can get those tight bastards back on.”

  I laugh and fight like hell to get them up my damn legs.

  Levi watches with amusement and waits until I adjust my top before grabbing my hand and straightening out my fingers.

  “I thought it was perfect.” He rubs his finger over the four diamonds embedded in the band—two on each side of the center diamon
d. “They represent my strength. All my strength leads to one place…you.” He points to the main diamond.

  “It’s beautiful, this side of you.” I wave my hand over his chest. “I don’t know what’s come over you, but wow.”

  “Wow? That’s it? No ‘Oh, Levi. You’re the sexiest man alive and I’m so in love with your amazingness.’” His tone is high-pitched in another horrible attempt to mock me.

  I slap my forehead with the back of my hand. “Oh, Levi! You’re such a strong man. Such a sexy, delicious man.” My tone drips with a southern drawl. “I’d love to be your wife.”

  Wrapping my ponytail around his hand, he tugs my face toward his with a sly smirk. “I like it when you feed my ego. Keep going,” he says, his voice gravelly.

  Innocently, I look to him and scrape my lip with my teeth. “I love your muscles, your ass, your back, the way you watch me take a shower, the way you take the trash out. But most of all, I love your big, massive, rock hard…”

  His brows raise with titillation.

  “Ego,” I deadpan and then burst with laughter when he yanks my hair.

  “Is that what you’ve named my dick? Ego?” he rasps against my ear. “You like when I bury my ego into your pussy?”

  “I’ll tell you anything you want to hear as long as you show me more of your ego when we get home,” I reply breathlessly.

  He releases me. “I’ll have you crying out my name.”

  I pat his chest. “There’s my caveman. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 5

  Didn’t think I had the balls to ask her, did you? Took me long enough to get the damn courage. I’ve walked around with that ring for weeks waiting for the right damn time. There’s no manual for popping the question and nothing felt right. The beach was a no-go. At home was hopeless. Overthinking it was filling me with anxiety. That’s not how I work.

  The idea hit me this morning while I was wrapping my hands and preparing for my workout. Yes, I know I’m a genius. I’m a god with my brilliance. More so in the spur of the moment. I’ve always worked better that way.