Page 124 of Tequila Tuesdays

Scowling at both of them, I threw the ball to their server. I fought hard through the next few points, but in the end, we lost when Jaime couldn’t return one of Zeke’s wicked serves.

I patted Jaime on the back. “It’s okay, we’ll get them next season.”

Jaime shrugged philosophically. “Sure we will. But it might be better to keep our jerseys on.”

Damien walked over and wrapped his sweaty arms around me from behind then bit softly into my neck. “Put your damn shirt back on.”

I stealthily rubbed my ass against his groin and leaned back in his arms. “You first.”

He smiled and nuzzled my cheek. “You started this. And I want to talk to you about something.”

Zeke handed us both our shirts. Damien put his on, then started helping me with mine. I rolled my eyes and swatted his hands away.

Everyone had gone quiet, and I looked around. My team was still milling about and giving me funny, amused looks.

“What’s going on?” I asked Jaime.

He rubbed his jaw and motioned toward Damien.

Damien stared down at me, then took hold of my left hand and slipped a ring on my finger. “Marry me, Legs.”

It didn’t sound like a question. I stared at him, not quite comprehending what was going on. Then I looked down and saw the beautiful, hammered gold band with large sapphire stones he’d slipped onto my dirty, sweaty finger.

“Holy fuck,” I whispered in amazement.

Tiana laughed behind me. “I think what she meant to say is holy fuck,yes.”

Damien smirked, and I finally shook myself out of my daze and threw my arms around him. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Everyone started laughing and talking at once, and Damien whirled me around.

Zeke chuckled and patted Damien on the back. “No kneeling, huh?”

Damien shook his head. “When I kneel in front of Harley, I’m always doing… other things to her. I didn’t want to be thinking about that.”

Zeke laughed, and I blushed to my roots. Then I took Damien’s face and dragged it down to mine for a long, deep kiss.

When we finally pulled apart, he grinned. “I hope you don’t mind getting engaged on a volleyball court in front of your team. They brought us together in a way, so I thought it would be fitting.”

I shook my head. “It’s absolutely perfect. And it almost made up for losing today.”

We celebrated with our teams for a few minutes, then walked to his truck after everyone took off.

Before opening the passenger door, he held me close and kissed the top of my head. “I’m not a detective anymore. And your job is probably more dangerous than mine now.”

I knew where he was going with this. “I know.”

“Shitty things happen. You probably understand that more than anyone I know, and you’ve lost a lot of people in your life. But I want to go the distance with you.”

My eyes filled with tears. “Me too.”

He cupped my lower stomach. “I want to put a child or three in here someday and watch you grow. And hear you complain about not being able to play volleyball or drink tequila while you carry them.”

My hand covered his, and a tear slipped down my cheek. “I want that too. I love you, and I’ll hunt you down if you die on me.”

He smiled and gathered me into his chest. “Only you would say you love me, then tell me you’re going to hunt me down in the same sentence.”

“Only if you die on me,” I clarified.