Page 72 of The Rival (Looking to Score 2)

If Alex wants his space, he can have it. But this doesn’t feel like just a space thing. This feels like something else, and a small knot of worry forms inside my stomach.

When I catch Alex dodging me through another doorway, I’ve finally had enough. I snag his wrist with a firm grip and pull him out onto the deck, where no one can see us. The night breeze ruffles our hair, and I’d comment on how fragrant the fall air is if I weren’t dead set on getting Alex to spill whatever’s going on with him.

“Are you avoiding me?”

“No. I’m—”

“Seems like you’re avoiding me. What are you hiding?”

Alex chuckles, swearing under his breath. “You really see right through me, don’t you?”

I nod, giving him a look that says, duh.

“Okay, okay.” He lifts his hands in surrender. “I have shitty self-control, right? You know this. I’m losing my mind—fuck, how do I . . .”

I wait patiently with my arms crossed over my chest while he recalibrates. It only takes him a second to get over whatever inner battle he’s having with himself, locking his blue eyes on mine.

“Now’s as good a time as any. I was planning on doing this tomorrow when everyone left so we’d have more privacy, but . . .”

From his back pocket, Alex pulls out a small black velvet box. Then he sinks to one knee, the stars behind him hanging like a heavenly tapestry.

“Aspen Ford, you have completely turned my life around. Not by trying to change me, just by being your gorgeous self. I think back on the man I was before I met you, and I feel bad for him. Because he didn’t know what happiness was yet.” His voice catches with emotion. “And now I’m greedy, and I want you in my life for good. I want you to be my wife. I want you to be mine forever. Will you marry me?”

At first I stare at him, a small smile on my lips, waiting for the punch line. When it doesn’t come, the proposal hanging between us finally hits me.

Gripping the front of his sweater, I pull Alex up for a molten kiss. His body presses against mine, his arms wrapping around my waist as he stands, lifting me into the air. I cling to his shoulders, kissing him with all the pent-up emotion I’ve been carrying around with me this entire day. His hot tongue breaches my lips, meeting mine in a delicious press of wet warmth.

All I can think about is how I could have this man—this incredible man—and his fiery kisses for the rest of my life. When we part, I take a gasping breath.

His voice is hoarse when he asks, “So, I’ll take that as a yes?”

I laugh through the tears. “Yes!”

He catches my lips again, swallowing my whimper of pure excitement. Because Alex Braun wants me to be his wife.

When he lowers my feet back to the deck, our mouths are still melded together in a hopeless tangle. His kisses turn soft and gentle as his thumbs wipe the tears from my cheeks.

“Why did you want to wait until tomorrow?”

“Well, assuming you would say yes, I thought you might like some alone time.” He growls, nipping my lower lip with his teeth. “I know I do.”

I sigh a little helplessly. “Hmm. How about we sneak off to the lake later, when they all go to sleep? I can wear that swimsuit you like.”

He hums his approval. “I like the way you think.”

Alex gives me one last lingering kiss before we head back inside. We settle onto the couch together, rejoining the group. Coach Wilder’s getting a fire going in the hearth. Saint is in the middle of a story about his latest misadventures in Italy.

Alex and I exchange a secretive look. We can wait to tell our friends about the engagement. There will be plenty of time tomorrow over breakfast.

Until then, it’ll be our little secret.

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