Scarlett’s response isn’t loud enough for me to overhear, but I don’t need to. She loves me. I see it every time she looks at me. It took a little while for me to be able to recognize the emotion, since I didn’t have a hell of a lot of experience with it, but now I can’t mistake it for anything else.
“Let’s get your dress on and then do your lips,” Kelsey says in a singsong voice. “I’m dying to see this look come together.”
I settle into one of the chairs in the living room and cross an ankle over my knee. Kelsey isn’t the only one who wants to see Scarlett, but I’m in no rush. We’ve got an hour before we need to leave for the club, and then roughly another three hours before Bodhi and I are up, depending on whether the undercard fights go the distance.
Because my fights have never been sanctioned, tonight is technically the start and end of my professional career. Bodhi had a run in one of the pro organizations a few years back, before he realized the money was better underground. So, the odds are firmly in his favor, which is ironic, because I beat him last time. Either way, that only helps me. Betting on an underdog who pulls out the victory is the most profitable way to go.
My head jerks up at the squeals of excitement coming from the bedroom.
“Oh. My. Gawd. This is . . . Jesus Christ. Gunter is a wizard. You look amazing.”
Well, hell. I guess it’s time to put on my jacket so I look the part too.
I move to where I hung it and slide it over my shoulders . . . just in time to see Kelsey poke her head out of the doorway.
“Oh, good. You’re here. Damn. You two are going to set records tonight for the hottest couple in history. But don’t take my word for it . . .” She trails off and steps to the side.
A moment later, Scarlett comes into view.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
She’s a goddess. There’s no other word for it.
“Wow.” The word slips from my lips, but in no way does her justice.
Molten gold hugs her every curve, set off by her shimmering blond hair and creamy skin. She barely looks real . . . at least, not until her lips curve up into a dazzling smile.
“Wow, yourself. You look incredible.”
I shake my head, coming toward her. “Jesus Christ. You . . . fuck, ladybug . . . you’re stunning.” I reach out to take her hand and slowly lift it to my lips.
“Oh shit, that’s too fucking cute. Hold on,” Kelsey says, but I can barely hear her over the blood rushing through my ears.
Scarlett stares into my eyes. “I wanted to make you proud tonight.”
“You could wear sweats and a ripped T-shirt, and you’d still do that.”
Her grin widens. “I’m glad you think that.”
A light flashes from Kelsey’s direction, and Scarlett and I turn.
“Oh shit, yes. That picture is epic.” She looks up from her phone and sees us watching her, and her shoulders lift up to her ears. “Shit, sorry. Carry on.”
We both laugh, and Scarlett holds out her hand. “You might as well show me, since you got the shot you wanted.”
“Here, look. Isn’t that amazing?”
Scarlett gasps. “Oh my God. Okay, I’m really glad you did that.”
I glance down at the screen and see what she’s excited about. We look like something out of a movie. A blond goddess and a slightly scandalous mortal. But we look damn good together.
“Will you send me that?” I ask Kelsey.
“Of course. And, Scar, you gotta post it. The interwebs will go crazy when you post a picture of the two of you together. I mean, shit. How could they not?”
Scarlett’s attention cuts to my face as her lips press together. “Do you care if I post it? I know it’s a big step, but . . .”
There’s no way she can know the smile tugging the corners of my mouth comes from the fact that I plan on a much bigger step a hell of a lot sooner than she expects. “Do whatever you want, ladybug. I got nothing to hide about the fact that I’m in love with you. I don’t care who knows it.”
“Oh my God,” Kelsey says with a long sigh. “I think my heart is officially melting now.”
Scarlett shoots a look at her friend. “Kels . . . you have no idea.”
Kelsey breaks into a giggle. “Let me get my kit, and I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll see you at Legend. Good luck, Gabe. Knock him out. Or whatever you’re planning to do.”
She sneaks behind Scarlett, and I lead my golden girl into the middle of the living room.
“All I want to do is kiss you, but I’m not messing up that lipstick. Not yet, anyway.”
“As long as you plan on kissing me later, that’s all that matters.”
Kelsey rolls her suitcase out of the bedroom and nods at us both. “Beautiful. Handsome. I’ll see you later. Off to get myself ready!” With a wave, she’s gone.
“I think Kelsey has a crush on you now,” Scarlett says to me.
“I’m all yours, so that’s too bad.”
Scarlett reaches out to straighten the lapels of my suit jacket. “You’re damn right, you’re all mine. I’m so proud of you, Gabe. No matter what happens tonight, you’re it for me. I love you.”
Hearing her say that it doesn’t matter whether I win or lose means more to me than any victory ever has. But, even so, it doesn’t cause my confidence to waver in the slightest.
“I’m going to win. The rest of our life starts tonight. I’ve got big plans for us both, ladybug.”
Her smile is shimmering in its brilliance. “Good, because I have big plans of my own too.” She leans her head toward me and ghosts her lips across mine, and I savor the faint taste of her.
When she pulls back, our eyes lock.
“I love you, Scarlett. Thank you for being you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for showing me that life was about more than I realized. You have no idea how much you’ve changed me for the better.”
“It goes both ways. You taught me about living. How not to just stand on the sidelines. I can’t wait to see where we go next, after you win.”
She smooths her delicate fingers across my hair, the gentle movement slowing my heartbeat. It’s the peace I need. The calm before the storm.
Forty-Eight
Legend
The ride to Legend has never felt quite like this before. Hal’s driving us in a snazzy Range Rover, but we’re not alone. We’ve got security in front of us and behind us in black SUVs.
Scarlett hasn’t said anything about it, but I assume it’s not her first time arriving somewhere with an entourage. When we pull up to the club, there’s a red carpet rolled out, and even though I didn’t expect to see many cameras, given the relatively early hour, there’s plenty.
She must read my thoughts from my expression.
“And . . . that’s probably because I posted our picture and said we were on our way.” She turns to me with a hesitant expression on her face. “I hope you don’t mind.”
I rake my gaze over her in that dress and rub my fingers over my mouth. “The more pictures of you in that dress, the better. You’re gorgeous, ladybug.”
Her smile lights up her entire face, which is already glowing, like Kelsey said. “Bump, Zoe, and Q are already here, right?”