Chapter 33
brOOKE
THREE WEEKS LATER
A few weeks after the game in Miami, Tina called to ask if I was still interested in working at the Lords.
Karma had worked quickly. Veronica had not lasted ten days in my job.
She’d quit, claiming it was overwhelming.
Tina had concluded that she’d jumped the gun, and she’d like to have me on the team.
I politely turned her down, because I didn’t think going back was the best option. Besides, I’d accepted a job I couldn’t wait to start back in the fashion industry, as a VP of business development for a European shoe designer who wanted to expand in the US.
Karma had also worked on Levi. At the end of the season, he was ranked last in terms of performance, which led to him being released from the team.
Jace was officially the MVP for this year, which had made Carl and Jeremy change their mind again. They were moving forward with Jace, especially once the Lords won the MLS cup.
They also decided to go through with their respective cooperation with the education center.
“I’m so excited about the job,” I told Jace.
“You’ll do great. I’m happy for you, but I’ll see a lot less of you.”
“Jace. You only saw me during lunch breaks, at most.”
“Don’t forget the gym.”
“Oh, yeah. That too. I’ll be slacking off without a sexy view to motivate me.”
“We can set up a home gym. I’m always willing to drop my clothes to motivate you.”
“Hmm… now there’s an offer I can’t refuse. Besides, I have to make sure you keep in shape until the season starts again, Mr. MVP.”
The season would begin again in March, which meant Jace had a lot of free time over the next few months. The only thing he had to take care of was not getting out of shape.
We were in his living room, sprawled on the comfy carpet. I was lying on my belly, reading a book. Jace seemed to thoroughly appreciate the view. He was expertly massaging the soles of my feet.
Decidedly, life couldn’t be any better. I’d moved in with him right after the semifinal, and the man was forever pampering me, but today was different.
I had no idea why he was being so generous as to dish out foot rubs, but I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Jace moved his hands from my feet to my calves, unexpectedly leaning in to bite my ass gently. I yelped, nearly elbowing him in the head.
“What are you doing?” I asked between giggles.
“What does it look like?”
“You’re shamelessly attacking me. But I think what you’re really after is getting me naked.” Which really wouldn’t involve too much effort since I was only wearing a dress.
“Babe, if I wanted to get you naked, I’d be carrying you into the bedroom over my shoulder by now.”
He kissed up my exposed back slowly, alternating between chaste and open-mouthed kisses.
I shuddered every time I felt his tongue.
No matter what Jace said, he had a terrible track record of jumping me when I was showing so much skin.
My track record of resisting him was equally terrible.
I waited with bated breath, trying to anticipate his next move, but he simply whispered, “I love you, Brooke.”
He rested on one elbow next to me, keeping an arm on my back. I pushed away the book, turning to face Jace, resting on an elbow as well.
“I love you too.”
“I have something for you.” His voice sounded a little thick.
“A gift?”
He smiled mysteriously, then pulled a little jewelry box from his back pocket. I grinned, sitting up and rubbing my hands in excitement. Maybe it was a set of earrings.
Jace sat up as well, watching me with warm eyes.
He was strangely silent. When I opened the little box, I sighed.
Jace hadn’t gotten me earrings. He’d gotten me an engagement ring.
A round diamond with small aquamarines surrounding it.
I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds, captivated by the beauty of the ring and everything it meant.
“Brooke, I think I fell in love with you long before I realized it. You started out by only wanting to be “friendly” with me, and before we knew it, you were my person, and I was yours. Will you marry me?”
He was close enough that I could feel him holding his breath. I smiled, nearly shouting, “Yes.”
Jace gave me a broad, wicked smile, but his hands were a little tense as he retrieved the ring out of the box, taking my right hand.
“Left hand,” I said hoarsely. “Engagement rings go on the left hand.”
He laughed, switching hands. I loved seeing him this happy, to know I was the reason for it. I sat in his lap, lacing an arm around his neck, keeping my left hand between us, so I could admire the ring properly.
“It’s beautiful. I love you.”
He kissed my forehead, then my temple, before skimming his lips to my mouth.
“I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
“First I’ll be your fiancée.”
He brought his hands to my hips, gripping them rather possessively. “How attached are you to that title?”
“I’m rather fond of it. I’d like to keep it for a while. Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Just that I’d like to get married as fast as possible. What do you say?”
Just a few months ago, I’d been honestly convinced I wouldn’t be able to let anyone in again, but Jace made me fall head over heels. He moved his palms from my hips to my waist. I loved feeling those strong biceps flex under my hands.
“Yes. Yes, all the way.”
I grinned. Yes, this was Jace Connor. He went balls to the wall whenever he wanted something, and he wanted me.