Epilogue
Lauren - one month later
“Hang on tight, darlin’, we’re almost there.
” Trick’s voice came through the speaker in my helmet, his low, growly tone giving me goosebumps.
He reached back and clasped my leg, giving it a little squeeze as we roared down the back roads somewhere near Bloomington.
He’d refused to tell me where we were going, claiming that he wanted to surprise me.
Trick had asked Lucky to install a passenger seat and backrest for me right after the incident at the studio, and we’d spent almost every available moment riding since then. It was the middle of October, though, so I knew our days on the bike would be drawing to a close as cold weather creeped in.
I had loved every minute of it, using the time to clear my head from the trauma and the lingering guilt of that day.
JD had pled guilty to all charges a week ago, confessing that he’d murdered Nadia in a fit of jealous rage and tossed her body in a dumpster.
Her family was relieved to know the truth, and I was relieved we would all be spared the horror of a trial.
After a few more minutes of riding, Jase slowed and swung wide to turn into the entrance leading to Lake Monroe.
He drove around for a little longer, before pulling off onto an old, unused boat ramp.
He parked, and we took off our helmets before he helped me dismount.
Taking my hand, he led me over to the lake’s edge.
It was a gorgeous, sunny day, with only a slight chill in the air. The sunlight bounced off the surface of the lake, and it was a beautiful sight.
Jase turned to me and gently tucked a curl behind my ear that had worked it’s way out of my braid. He leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss, then smoothed his hand over the front of my leather cut that proclaimed to the world that I was the “Property of Trick”.
“I promised you that I’d find a more romantic spot the next time. I hope this will do.”
He lifted his hand, then peeled off the bandage on his left ring finger. He’d come home from the gym with it on earlier, telling me he’d cut it on a something. I was confused until he removed the bandage completely, and I saw the letter “L” inked in a gorgeous, flowing script.
I gasped. “You got a tattoo of my initial?”
He grinned. “Yeah, I lied about going to the gym. Rome did it for me this morning.”
I grasped his hand to look at it more closely.
“I love it,” I gushed, almost crying over the sweet gesture.
“And I love you. I want the whole world to know that I’m yours, too, since it’s not safe for me wear a ring when I’m at the gym.”
My eyes flew to his, and he met my gaze with a nervous smile, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
He flipped it open, but I was too blinded by the tears in my eyes to see the contents.
I blinked rapidly to clear my vision, only to find the most amazing ring nestled inside.
He chuckled and gave me that flirty wink I’d come to love.
“Will you marry me, Lauren darlin’?”
My answer was so loud that the people on the other side of the lake probably heard it as it echoed across the water.
“Yes, Jase!”
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The End