“You knew they were going to broadcast that!”
“I did,” he agrees.
“But… why?”
Although a hand wrapped in his hair is usually my thing—apparently, I have a preoccupation with pulling Lo’s hair and gripping his supple ass—but Lo’s hand tangles in mine and pulls my face back so we’re staring into each other’s eyes.
“Because I’m going to be holding your hand at the airport. Now that I get to have you for four entire months, I’m not taking my hands off you. Not even for travel. I want to have dinner with you and not care about who sees me kiss you across the table or feed you dessert. I want to take you for a walk on the beach and not be concerned with whether there are people around. It’s still important to me to just be a hockey player, as it is to you. But I’m not going to put this part of my life—our lives—on hold until we’re ready to begin the chapter of our lives without hockey.”
“Yeah, but…” I’m breathless, unsure what to say. My heart races. He did this for me.
Lo brushes my hair back, reminding me that it’s far too fucking long. “I don’t want you to think about anything but this: I’m 100% committed to you and this relationship, Caulder. You’re my soul, my life, and I’m so fucking excited to start living our lives together. I’m ready for the world to know because I don’t want to hide our love. I’m ready to shout it from the rooftop.”
“You’re corny as fuck,” I mutter.
He laughs, then brushes his lips to mine.
“You’re really that sure?” I ask. I think it’s hope that swells in my chest. Maybe a little fear that he’s going to say,well, mostly.
“I told you, Caulder. Iknowwithout a doubt that I’ve loved you in a past life. Everything about me recognizes you. I’ve crossed time to be with you again. I’d marry you tomorrow, Caulder Haines, and not have any concerns at all becauseI know you’re the second half of my soul.”
My laughter is watery. To be loved so thoroughly, so completely by someone… It’s intense. I don’t ever want to be without it.
“I don’t think we can get married,” I say because I’m so overwhelmed with every word that comes out of his mouth that it seems the easiest thing to address. “It’s too soon. Right?”
Lo shrugs. “Some may think so, but I don’t care what they have to say. I’ll marry you right now.”
My stomach flutters.
“I’ll marry you tomorrow. Next week. Next month. In two years. I’ll marry you every year.”
“I just… where would we get married? Our families are so far apart. Doesn’t it take time to plan a wedding?”
“Our families aren’t that far apart. Your family isn’t actually here in New York just as mine isn’t in Arizona.”
“No. Mine is in Northern California. Where in Canada is your family?”
“Just east of Vancouver.”
“That’s a lot closer than I was thinking.”
“It is,” Lo agrees. “As far as where… I keep picturing us on a beach during sunset. With the background of crashing waves. Wearing as little as possible so I can keep my hands all over you.”
I laugh, but I think there are stars in my eyes. “You’ve thought about this?”
He shrugs. “Yes.”
“I… Maybe.”
Lo’s smile doesn’t waver. He pulls me closer again, so our foreheads are pressed together. “There’s no pressure, Caulder. I’ve been sure about this since we left the airport in Florida when it felt like a piece of me was walking away. I’m looking forward to taking you around the world and building memories. Building you a house. Make you a daddy if you want.”
I flinch. Lo chuckles.
“No? Still scarred from crazy pregnant lady?”
“Yes. I wasn’t entirely convinced I wanted children before, but this has really put the fear of hell into me. But if you do?—”
“Don’t,” I interrupt. “I’ll be perfectly happy without kids.”
