Page 122 of The Villain

“You don’t look very happy to see me.” She pouted and then laughed.

“You shouldn’t be here.” My friend barreled his arms over his chest like a volcano about to erupt. For years, Ty had been our benchmark for emotionless, logical living. But emotion hadn’t been absent; it had been dormant. And now he was on the verge of exploding. “What have you done, Sutton?”

“You heard the man,UncleTy.” Her mocking tone was the loudest part of her words before she stepped forward, right in his face. “I’m your problem now.”

Ty’s angry glare followed her inside before it darted back to me.Yeah, I wasn’t getting involved in this.I flipped my visor down and started my bike. I had other things to do today than watching Ty’s cool composure erupt. Even though that did sound entertaining.

“Come outside with me,” I begged, drawing her away from her latest canvas.

“But…”

I pressed a kiss to her neck. “It will be here tomorrow, but this…tonight can’t wait.”

Athena smiled and turned her head, and I couldn’t resist a taste of her lips, dipping my tongue into her sweetness for long minutes before I groaned low, “That will have to wait, too.”

She pouted adorably but stood.

“Trust me?”

Her nod was implicit.

“Good.” I moved behind her and reached around her head, covering her eyes with my palms.

“Darius…” She shivered.

“Let me guide you,” I said low, and I carefully walked us to the sliding back door that I’d already opened in preparation.

I only took us a few feet outside onto the grass before I peeled my hands away from her face.

“What…” She cupped my hands over her mouth, her eyes roaming over my handiwork.

A blanket on the ground, pillows placed on top of it. Battery-powered tea lights flickering along the edges.

“What is this?”

“We’re stargazing.” I led her to the blanket and tipped my head to the heavens.

“The Big Dipper.” She pointed to the right.

“Orion’s Belt.” I pointed in front of her, slightly to the left.

Her gaze followed my hand, and as soon as her focus wasthere, I dropped my arm and reached in my pocket for the box tucked inside it.

“There’s one back here,” I rumbled low and lowered down on one knee.

Her gasp ofsurprise was one of the most beautiful sights—one of the most beautiful memories I’d never forget.

“Darius…” Her lip quivered.

“This one’s called the proposal,” I said and opened the box, revealing the solitaire diamond ring nestled inside.

“Dare…”

“I love you, Athena. I love you more than the stars in the sky, and I don’t want to spend any more of this lifetime without you.”

Tears left a path that glistened down her cheeks as she stared at me. A second passed and then another, and then, to my surprise, her eyes drifted shut.

“Ask me again,” she pleaded.

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