Chapter 34 Lilly
THIRTY-FOUR
LILLY
The atmosphere in the stadium brims with nervous energy. Plastered against the window, my eyes follow Ian on the field. I am too stoked to sit still.
I am wearing his jersey, and I can’t wait for the game to end and run straight into his arms. This is it, the moment I’ve waited for so long has arrived. I just have to reach out my hand and grasp it.
I will hold on to him and never let go.
The game starts, and I can’t look at anyone but him. My eyes fixate on his number. Every time he passes, my lungs seize, and I can only breathe when it’s a winning pass.
When halftime ensues, I enjoy the concert, swaying my hips to the music but my thoughts circle back to just him.
The San Diego Sharks are leading, but that can change in an instant. Ian should be the one sweating, but I am too—strung taut with suspense.
Moving to the bar, I drink from a bottle of sparkling water when his mother slides next to me.
A genuine smile blooms on her face. “So happy he has found you.”
They have welcomed me into their family with open arms, and deep gratitude fills my chest.
I hug her, and her eyes glisten. “Thank you for loving my son, Lilly.”
“Thank you for raising such a good man,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.
The second half starts, and we hurry back to our seats.
Levi drags Amelie onto his lap. Her leg bounces up and down. I feel her—this mix of nerves and excitement is overpowering.
The other team scores a touchdown, making the score tighter. My nerves threaten to snap my composure. I am experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions that’s nauseating.
Ian has the ball, and I swear everyone holds their breath as he throws it so far, I follow it with my heart galloping in my throat as he scores a touchdown.
I sweat a bucket by the time the fourth quarter approaches its end.
Roman secures the last touchdown.
The winning one.
I jump so high, squeal so loud, I cry, emotions getting the best of me.
Madness erupts on the field as Ian’s teammates lift him in the air. But the moment they put him down, his eyes find me with clear intent, shaking me up from my trancelike state.
I dash out of the suite, running down the stairs, passing people in a haze.
The stadium opens, but I come to an abrupt stop, needing a moment to realize it’s real. No more hiding. My life will change. For good. For the better.
Ian waits on the field, his eyes fixed on me. Those midnight blues bore into the deepest corners of my heart. He crooks a finger at me, and I take off, sprinting to him. He does the same, catching me as I jump into his arms.
Our mouths clash in a passionate kiss. The world around us vanishes, everything becoming silent except for the roar of our hearts, singing in unison.
He holds me pressed to his chest, kissing me again and again.
I cup his face. “You were great. I’m so proud of you. I love you so, so much.”
He buries his face in the crook of my neck. “You’re my life. You’re my greatest win.”
His words settle on my heart, blanketing me in warmth.
I see from my peripheral cameras set on us, taking pics.
“It’s out now.” I giggle, feeling elated and relieved, but most of all, high on love and delight.
A breath of relief tumbles out of his mouth. “Yeah, it is.”
His family reaches us, and everyone hugs him, tears welling up in their eyes. But he never lets go of my hand, not even when my dad arrives. I hug him, congratulating him as well.
My father takes my boyfriend with him.
“I’ll be back to you as soon as possible,” Ian mouths, walking backward, still not cutting the visual contact.
His eyes are glassy with emotions that trigger my tears.
After meeting with the press and getting cleaned up he returns to my side. His love for me shines so brightly that it feels like it could never be extinguished.
Placing a hand on my back, he urges me into the car. “Let’s go.”
The moment the hotel room door closes behind us, he backs me against the wall, his midnight eyes turning darker, they appear almost black.
Taking a step back, he trails his gaze down my jersey.
“Finally,” he says hoarsely.
He pulls it over my head so tantalizingly slow, making me all hot.
I wiggle out of it, remaining in just my bra. Any moment now, he’ll see my surprise. I want to be more than his big win; I want to be his ultimate gift.
He sees his number there between my breasts before his eyes snap to mine.
Inhaling deeply, he says in a low, playful tone, “Was quite the motivation.”
“Happy to be of help,” I tease.
He unhooks my bra, and it falls on the floor, forgotten, just like the foreplay.
Dipping his head, he places a tender kiss on his number there, then moves to my nipples that have been craving his attention. He laves them with his tongue, teeth grazing the sensitive peaks. I moan, my hands threading through his hair, holding on to him as the pleasure ravishes me.
He lowers on his knees, kissing down my belly—sweet but unyielding that all I can do is surrender.
Peeling my jeans off, he glides his lips from my hip to the inside of my thighs. I am wet and when he finds the evidence on my thong, he growls low in his throat. Hooking his thumb through the strap of the material, he slides it down my legs.
He slaps my thighs open with a palm, digging his fingers into my skin, and buries his face in my pussy. I relish in the surge of pleasure zapping through my insides.
“Not enough people chanted your name tonight?” I moan, fisting his hair to support myself while he’s so intent on teleporting me to another dimension.
“I only crave you chanting my name,” he groans low through fucking me with his tongue.
It would have been impossible not to fall. I surrender—my heart, body, and soul, knowing he will take excellent care of me.
After our intense fuck fest, I am out of the shower, hair and make-up done, and slip into a silver satin ankle-length dress. He’s in gray slacks and a dress shirt, looking mouthwatering.
We’re going to an exclusive party tonight, not just as friends or a secret something, but as official everything.
His hand splays on my back, guiding me to the car waiting for us.
Arriving at the posh location, we walk inside, hand in hand.
We eat, dance, and chat with a variety of people. And the night flies away.
By the time we return to the hotel, I crash on the mattress with the biggest heart possible.
I fall asleep in bliss and wake up in bliss as his gentle kisses wake me up. “Good morning, sleepy head. Time to go.”
After last night’s celebration, I am still tired, but I smile lazily, excited to go on vacation.
In a haze, we depart for the airport. A town car drives us on the tarmac to a private jet. It reminds me of our first vacation together.
One year later, there’s no trace of that deep longing for something I thought could never happen. A different type of longing emerges, for more time spent together, more love, more memories.
We take our seats, exchanging a nostalgic smile.
I palm his chest. “You’re thinking about our first time, aren’t you?”
He cocks his head, seeking my eyes. “And about how much I wanted you. How messed up I was thinking I would have to let you go…”
“Not anymore,” I murmur.
“No.” A mischievous grin stretches on his face.
“Where are we going? Come on, baby, I have been patient and all.”
“Bali.”
“Really?” I squeal. “We’re going back there?”
He’s so thoughtful, so everything I thought I’d never find but hoped, nonetheless. I am glad I waited and didn’t settle for less.
Once up in the air, the flight attendant brings us glasses of champagne. Downing it in one go, I straddle his thighs while he kisses me.
We spend the next hours in each other’s arms, kissing and becoming members of the exclusive Mile High club.
When the jet’s door opens, the sun shines bright and high in the sky, the humidity clinging to my skin. But it’s perfect. We’re together, and for the next two weeks, I have him just for myself.
It’s our last day of vacation, and I have been catching him looking at me even more intensely. He has been a bit quiet. Maybe it’s because we have to return.
Ian has his back to me, patting his pocket while I change into a silk dress, flowing down my body with a deep V in front and back.
When he turns, upon seeing me, he gulps, saying, “You’re so beautiful.”
I walk to him, furrowing my brows. “What is it, baby?”
He scratches his neck. “I’m nervous.”
“I get that, but why would you be nervous?” I ask, suddenly nervous as well.
He kisses me instead of answering, taking my hand in his.
We walk toward the ocean, where candles form the shape of a heart with a table in the middle, illuminating the candlelight table setting that awaits us. He’s a romantic and I am one fortunate woman.
A beautiful arrangement of flowers adorns the table, accompanied by a plate of various fruits. The orange sticks out. I think… Oh my god. I clasp my mouth to muffle the squeal.
My heartbeats drum, deafening me. I am afraid I will faint any second now. Inhaling deeply, as I won’t ruin my proposal moment, I pick up the orange. It grounds me in some way, offering me peace and certainty.
“An orange brought you to me,” he says from behind me.
I smile, high on rapture, remembering how my bag broke, and I followed the orange that stopped right at his feet.
“I was watching you, torn between approaching you or not. You stopped me in my tracks.”
A few tears slide down my cheeks, and I brush them gently away.
“I have been yours since that moment. You have been mine since that moment.”
I nod, turning around to find him down on one knee.
My hands fly to my chest, my heart pounding a frantic beat. The rush of potent emotions overwhelms me to the point that my knees get weak.
His eyes glisten with heavy emotions. “I love you with all of me, Lilly. I’m yours for my entire existence. When I think about the future, it’s all about you. Please, spend the rest of your life with me and make me the happiest man alive. Will you marry me, my flower girl?”
My head bobs up and down, and I jump into his arms, my heart threatening to explode. Nothing has felt more natural to me than saying yes to him.
“Yes, only ever yes. A million times, yes.”
Relief washes over his features, and he slides the cushion cut halo diamond ring onto my finger. It glitters in the moonlight and I can’t take my eyes off the precious ring.
“That’s why you were nervous. Now I get it.” I tilt my head, a teasing smile arching the corners of my lips. “Afraid I would say no?”
He chuckles. “It crossed my mind.”
I giggle, happier than I have ever been. “You really were quick at making me a fiancée out of a girlfriend.”
He arches a brow. “I won’t waste much time making you my wife, either.”