Page 122 of Wanted
“Just a little.” Knox winked at him. “You didn’t think your birthday night was over, did you?”
They drove through the labyrinth of furniture, then a valley of rusted cars, but Knox knew this place like the back of his hand, so Liv was pretty sure they wouldn’t be getting lost. Though this detour did throw a wrench into his plans, since he’d intended to propose at their home. But it wasn’t as though he’d lost the ring. He could do it later. Like, tomorrow.
“Oh, will you cover my eyes with a silk tie too?” Liv asked, resting his arm across Knox’s shoulders.
Knox rolled his eyes. “Dumbass. I don’t know why I love you so much.”
Liv’s heart leaped like a happy goat, and he kissed Knox’s jaw. “No? Not even a bit of secrecy?” he asked, frowning when he saw the fence surrounding the junkyard. Why were they here of all places?
“You’ll see soon enough anyway. Aaand… here we are.”
Knox stopped the truck after one more turn, and the headlights illuminated the fence where a six-pack of beer was attached to the wire with two red ribbons.
Liv chuckled and kissed Knox again, then got out of the vehicle. “Is this a picnic? With beer tasting? Sounds right up myalley,” he said, eyeing Knox, whose T-shirt rode up a bit as he left the truck, revealing some skin above his belt. So fucking hot.
Knox kissed him, his eyes becoming softer when he grabbed Liv’s hand and guided him to the fence. When they approached the cans of beer, Liv noticed that a protein bar was taped to the booze.
“A little trip down memory lane. This is where we crossed into the junkyard.”
Liv’s cheeks tingled, and his chest expanded as the perfection of this moment dawned on him. Of course. This place, where they’d started their new life together two years ago, was the perfect spot for a proposal.
He got on one knee, and in the blinding glow cast by the truck, he produced the ring box.
Knox blinked, staring at him with his mouth slightly open. Damn, he was such a fine man. And the bond they shared made him even more beautiful in Liv’s eyes.
“Wait… what?” Knox whispered.
Liv’s tongue felt like a wooden stick trapped in his mouth, but he braved the stiffness in his limbs and opened the box with the flick of his thumb, revealing the simple sterling silver ring that had their names etched into its circumference.
“Will you… like… be mine forever?” he muttered. It was fortunate he didn’t suddenly develop a stutter.
Knox put his hands over his face, and to Liv’s utter dread, he started laughing.
Liv swallowed, not sure what to make of it. As his heart plummeted down the well of disappointment and despair, Knox reached to his back pocket. He didn’t say yes, but hewassmiling, so there was that.
But just as Liv considered getting up and not making a fool of himself any longer, Knox produced a ring out of his pocket too.
“You always gotta be first, huh?” Knox asked and wiped a tear from his eye. “I guess racing’s in your blood.”
The sensation of falling was instantly over, and Liv grabbed Knox’s hand. “Yes, but also… what? Are you… asking me…” he waved his hand around as words failed him, creating a lump in his throat.
Knox laughed, going down to one knee to mirror Liv. “Yeah, River Polk. Will you do life with me?”
The ring in Knox’s fingers was simple and made of some dark metal, but Liv already knew he wouldn’t swap it for gold or diamonds. His smile was Joker-wide, but he hoped it wouldn’t creep Knox out too much. Because this was the best day of his life. Well, okay, maybe the second best after the day of Knox’s successful surgery.
“Been telling you that for years. It was always meant to be. You and me. Liv and Knox,” he whispered, intoxicated by happiness as the ring slipped onto his finger. He didn’t wait and put his own on Knox’s hand before diving in for a kiss.
Knox’s arms slid around his neck, and Liv splayed his palm over Knox’s chest, right over the heart. He liked to feel its strong beat and know all was good in the world.
“I love you, there’s no one else I’d rather be with,” Knox whispered into the kiss. It had been hours since they’d showered, but he still smelled so good. His new herbal shampoo, recommended by Ezra, reminded Liv of the fresh scent of rain, which they experienced way more often since moving to Pennsylvania. He’d gotten used to it, if not to the cold winters.
But even those were bearable when Liv had Knox to keep him warm in bed.
“You sure? Not even Cy?” Not even Amanda?” Liv teased, rubbing Knox’s back as he settled into this new reality where dreams came true.
Knox shook his head and slid his knee between Liv’s legs to tease him. “You’re so dumb. It’s been two years and you’re still going on aboutCyborg? Didn’t I just say I’ll marry you?” As if to make that point clearer, Knox kissed his neck.
“You did. We need to pick a date, so you can become Kolin Miller,” Liv said with a grin.
