Page 52 of The Stick Handler

I sniff, and Luke brushes a tear from my cheek. “I’m shocked to be honest,” I say.

“You once said romance on screen is better than real life. I wanted to prove otherwise.”

My heart fills with all the love I feel for him. “It’s quite the grand gesture, and just so you know, everything in real life is better when I’m with you, Luke.”

My gaze moves over his face as he looks at me with pure adoration. I take a moment to think about everything we’d been through this last week. I wasn’t a rebound, and sex wasn’t just about teaching me what I was missing, it was also about Luke showing me that he loves me as much as I love him.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” I say loudly and the crowd cheers as he picks me up from my chair and spins me around.

“Talk about a girl who knows what she wants,” he says.

“What can I say, I’m I know a good thing when I see it. That’s what you love about me.”

When he’s done spinning me, he slides the ring on my finger, and says. “You know what I love about you, Katee?”

“What?”

“Everything,” he says, as his gaze holds mine. He puts his hand on my cheek. “I love everything about you. I love your smile, kindness, strength, perseverance, honesty, and intelligence. But the thing I love most, is us Katee. You and me, meant to be together, forever.”

Epilogue

Katee

Three months later:

“The ski hill was nice, but this,” I say as I look out over the spectacular beach with the pearl white sand, “this is my kind of honeymoon.” I turn my head to find Luke grinning at me. We’d only just arrived this morning, and the first thing we did was hit the beach and enjoy the sunshine. A pleasant reprieve after all the rain in Seattle. “Then again, as long as I’m with you, we can make the best out of anyplace.”

He reaches out and take my hand in his. “I don’t care where I am, Katee. Just as long as you’re with me.” I frown at that. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“How am I going to handle it when the team goes on the road? I’ll miss you.”

“Come with me,” he says.

I roll my eyes at him. “You know I can’t take a baby on the road.”

“You’re not pregnant yet,” he says, although we’ve certainly been trying. “Come with me until you are.”

“I could do that,” I say, as my mind going back to Ari’s threat of ruining his career. She certainly tried. She’d blasted him on social media, and tried to get her daddy to fire him, but in the end, all she ended up doing was making a fool of herself. Her daddy, tired of her antics, cut her off, and the last I heard she was working retail. I feel sorry for her in a way, and I hope eventually she finds what she’s looking for, as long as she stays away from my husband.

Husband.

Will I ever get used to thinking of Luke as my husband? I smile as I think about that, and my mind goes back to our wedding. Luke was right, I did want to walk down the aisle with friends and family watching. My mother was so ecstatic, and Luke’s parents, well, they welcomed me with open arms, like they always have. Luke’s mother even whispered to me that she hoped we’d finally see how right we were for each other. Luke certainly opened my eyes to that in Italy. Grinning, I glance out at the beckoning water. I stand, and head toward the waves on our own private beachside cottage, giving an extra shake to my backside.

“Keep that up and you’re going to get it, Katee Kat.”

I shake some more, and when he jumps from his lounge chair, I yelp and run into the water. Luke comes splashing in behind me. I dive under, but he’s a strong swimmer and instantly catches up with me. He gathers me in his arms, and presses his lips to mine. I wrap my arms and legs around him, and can feel his erection press against me.

When we surface, we’re both gasping for air. “This is perfect, Luke,” I say as I glance around, taking in the scenery.

“You’re perfect, and I’m going to show you just how much I want you.”

He carries me from the water and takes me back to the cottage, laying me out on our private cabana bed. I shift to the middle, and he crawls between my legs.

“This side of the beach is private, but what if someone comes?” I say.

He gives me a crooked grin, and tugs at my bikini bottom. “Oh, someone is going to come. A couple times.”