Page 73 of Lost Lyrics

“Hmmm.” He rocked his hips against mine again. My core clenched, craving to have more of him.Damn...“I knew I loved you for a reason. But I don’t care who sees us.”

“Me either, but without video evidence would be nice.”

“True. Although...” Sexiness embedded in his grin. “I’d keep a copy if we were filmed.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

I wrapped my hand around his tie and drew him closer. Our lips met. Our tongues teased and touched. Tasting the vodka on his mouth intoxicated me even more. His spicy cologne filled my head with a dizzy high. The music slowed. In the middle of the crowd, our dancing turned from provocative sexiness into a gentle sway. Our friends shuffled nearby. I slid my hands beneath Cole’s jacket, ran them around his waist, and pressed them against his back. My heart beat in time with his.

This was nice. No . . . this wasperfect.

Cole cupped my neck. Kissed me. Held me close.

Every touch was soft. Sexy. Seductive.

“I love you,” he whispered against my mouth.

Could the night get any more superb? We’d laughed. We’d had fun. When I was with him, there was no one else in the room. He only had eyes for me.

I was his. He was mine.

Butterflies fluttered low in my belly. Warmth spread across my chest. There was only one thing that could make our relationship better. I’d never thought this day would come,yet...here it was.

Everything felt right. Aligned. Clear.

I touched my lips to his, then smiled from the bottom of my heart. “Ask me.”

“Ask you? What?” Confusion flitted across his eyes. “Would you like to sit down?”

“No.”

“Would you like another drink?”

“No.”

“You want to get out of here?” Hope shimmered in his eyes.

“No. Not yet.” My tone softened with seriousness. “Cole? . . . Ask me.”

His mouth quirked at one corner. “You want something to eat?”

“No . . . wait . . . yes, but later.”

“Then I’m not sure what you want me to say?” But then...he paused. His lips parted a fraction, and his eyes widened. He sucked in a slow breath that shuddered through his chest. His heartbeat quickened beneath my touch. He knew what I meant, but he shook his head like he had no clue. His gaze softened. A small smile touched his lips. “We have two amazing kids. You love your job. The guys and I are working on the next album...We live together. What more could you possibly want?”

“Cole...don’t be an asshole.” I yanked on his tie—a gentle but decent jerk.

He caught my hand and held it against his heart, drew me close, but a pinch formed between his brows. “A guy can only take so much rejection. You’ve said no to me many times.”

Shit . . . really? Crap . . . I had.“Are you serious?”

“No.” He grinned, running his thumb across the back of my hand in soft, swirling strokes. My past refusals hadn’t put him off.Thank goodness.“But are you sure?”

“Yes. I am.”

“So am I. I have been since the first time I asked you to move in.” He drew my hand to his mouth and kissed my fingers. Fire, love, and warmth flared in his eyes. “Ava, I have no ring. Have nothing prepared. It’s too crowded to get down on one knee. I wish our kids were here to be part of this, because fuck...I love you and them so much. So...in the middle of this room full of friends, colleagues, and people I have never met in my life, I would like to ask youonequestion. With my hand on my heart and giving you all that I am...Ava Matthews, will you please ...marry me?”

Tears prickled my eyes. My heart swelled, filling my chest so much my boobs nearly popped out of my dress. My cheeks hurt from breaking out into the biggest of smiles. “Yes, Cole Tanner. I would love to marry you.”

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