“It gets better,” I promised. “I thought you were full of shit, having me go to dance lessons as part of my training.”
“I’m waiting for the part where this speech improves,” Syd said.
“Patience, babe.” I chuckled. “Anyway,” I paused and sighed, turning to her. “You need to stand for this part.” She rose to her feet while I got on one knee. “You’ve taught me more than how to be a better fighter. You’ve shown me that the one thing I went to my mother’s funeral to find, I had all along.”
She raised an eyebrow, cocking her head to the side.
I covered my chest with my free hand. “My heart.”
Her eyes watered.
“But it’s no longer mine. It’s yours if you’ll have it.” Holding up the ring, I asked, “Sydney Quinn, will you marry me?”
More tears spilled down her cheeks and she nodded.
After sliding the ring onto her finger, I stood and cupped her face, pulling her in for a kiss.
“Thank you,” I said against her lips. For the first time in my life, I felt whole. Not even winning a second title had done that. But this woman before me, she did.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I said, “You might want to cover your eyes from here on out, Banks. I’m about to defile the shit out of your daughter.”
Syd gasped. “Oh my—” Her comment was cut off when I pulled her to me, kissing her deeply.
Syd
Mrs. Syd McConnell.I tried the name out again and again in my head as we headed back to Luke’s home. His hand rested on my thigh, holding firmly as if he were afraid I’d disappear or something.
The only time his hand left my body was when we needed to part to get out of the car. As soon as we stepped over the threshold, Luke pressed his body against mine, his lips going to my neck. I moaned out in pleasure and anticipation of what was to come next.
Luke groaned when I suddenly pushed him away from me, stepping around him to move further down the hall. Spinning around to face him, I caught the surprised look on his face.
I grinned. “Where should our wedding be?” I asked, holding up my hand with the diamond on it and wiggling my fingers.
Luke frowned. “Wherever the hell you want. Get over here,” he took a step forward. I countered, moving back.
“I was thinking maybe a destination wedding. Somewhere in the Caribbean.” I cocked my head to the side.
“Syd.” His voice was tight and full of warning.
I backed up again, the back of my ankle hitting the first stair of the staircase. “Oh, maybe Vander City?”
“We can figure all that shit out after I coat your pussy walls with my cum.”
My nipples pebbled at his vulgar language. I began pushing down the straps of the sleeveless dress and within seconds it pooled at my feet.
Luke’s eyes glinted with lust, and most importantly, love.
“I hope you don’t write that as part of your vows.” I tried to sound teasing but the tremble in my voice gave me away.
“Bring your ass over here,” he growled.
“Gotta catch me first,” I said before taking off up the stairs as fast as I could.
My foot barely touched the top step before I felt his warm breath barreling down the back of my neck. Before I knew it, a giggle burst from my mouth as he picked me up and carried me the rest of the way down the hall and into his bedroom, slamming the door shut behind us.
“Shit,” I cursed when he tossed me like a ragdoll onto the bed. However, when he moved to cover me with his body, I rolled away.
I laughed when he growled in annoyance. Ignoring his frustration, I reached for the belt buckle that held his jeans in place. He stopped reaching for me when I tugged at his jeans, bringing them down past his waist.
