Page 88 of Late to Love

Anthony asked me to move in with him a few months ago, and I agreed. My little cottage was barely getting slept in as it was, so we made it official. No one’s moved in yet, but we all figure it’s just a matter of time before someone does. And who knows? Maybe that guy Chad will finally get a girlfriend out of it.

We’re greeted by a chorus of cheers when we get to Hall’s Balls. Reid and Willa are there, along with Matty and Goldie. Ox and Anthony’s parents are there, too. Even Levi and Charlotte are in the crowd, along with what looks like half the town.

“What’s all this?” I ask Anthony.

“You four are hometown champions,” he says. “We needed to be sure you were properly celebrated.”

I shake my head, grinning. “You’re ridiculous.”

He pulls me into a hug. “Maybe. But I love you.”

I look up at him and wonder how it is that I’ve gotten so lucky. Then again, he’s gotten lucky, too.

Much later, after I get that promised spanking and give Anthony head with my eyes covered by my bandana, we’re curled into each other on the bed. The windows are open to let in the unseasonably cool weather, and the sound of ocean waves drift through the curtains.

“Marry me.”

I blink, then blink again. “Did you?—”

“Marry me, Darcy,” he says again, turning on his side and resting his head in his hand.

I can barely see him in the dark of the room. “Anthony Hall. You can’t ask me to marry you in the middle of the night.”

His fingers caress my skin, roaming down my arm and around a breast, then up my chest and neck before finding my chin and tipping it up to meet his mouth in a kiss. “But I just did,” he counters.

I huff out an adoring laugh. “Ask me in the morning.”

And don’t you know, that’s exactly what he does. When I come to, I find the man looking at me, his hair mussed from sleep, still lying on his side with his head in his hand. Only now, in the daylight, he’s holding a gold and ruby filigreed ring up for my inspection.

“Good morning,” he grins. “Marry me.”

I say yes.

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