He lifted out the engagement ring. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? All this jewelry is overwhelming.” She held out her left hand and he slipped it onto her ring finger. “It’s gorgeous…and extremely big, not to mention very, very sparkly.”
Together, they rose and she folded her arms around him. “I love you, Sinclair. The kind of love that is real and raw. I don’t want a fairy tale romance. I want exactly what we have.” Then, she kissed him with so much explosive passion. When the kiss ended, she said, “You own me, body and soul.”
“You own me, too. And you always will.”
Their embrace was filled with tenderness and love. He held her close and breathed her in. She smelled like home, a permanent place where he could build a life with someone he trusted. Someone who knew of his demons and his dark side, but loved him fiercely just the same.
“Let’s go tell your dad the big news.”
Her eyes grew large. “My dad?”
“I asked him for your hand in marriage last month and he gave me his blessing.”
“Wow, you are full of surprises.”
“I respect him and wanted him to know my intentions.”
She kissed him. “I’m sure he appreciated that.”
“Ready to share our news with the world?”
“So damn ready.”
They pulled on their helmets, gloved up, and mounted the bike. It roared to life and Sinclair pulled onto the parkway. As the miles sped by under them, he realized it was time to stop running from his demons. Can I let go of the past?
Feeling free, he flew toward his future with his one true love. Together, they would face all obstacles and overcome them. “I love you, Evan,” he said into his mic.
She tightened her grip around his waist. “I love you, too, Sin.”
Epilogue
Three Months Later, Friday afternoon,
Memorial Day Weekend
As Sin eased down at the conference table at Develin & Associates, he shot his newest employees a smile. “Update me.”
He’d hired Jessica and Big D, his former General Manager and Club Supervisor from Uninhibited, to help him launch The Develin Home for Runaway Children. Jessica had come onboard as his general manager, and Big D had accepted the position of building and security manager.
Taking Evangeline’s advice, he was building the facility at the same location that had once housed his nightclub. The center was set to open in the late fall, so he and his team had much to accomplish in order to meet that aggressive deadline.
“I’ve spoken with someone from every social services office on my list and they’re all onboard,” Jessica began. “A few of the social workers want to be considered for our in-house spots.”
Sin nodded. “Good. Do you need my help with the interview process?”
“I’m good,” Jessica replied. “Big D has been sitting in on them with me.” She smiled at her coworker. “He’s a natural at asking open-ended questions.”
Big D grinned. “Thanks.”
“All right, Big D, what are our latest hurdles with the construction?”
“The drywall delivery is running three days behind schedule, which means if they can’t get it up by June seventh, I have to push the painters back.”
“Need my help?”
“No. I’ve got a second team of painters—my brother and his crew—lined up if the first one can’t accommodate us.”
“Nice work. I’ve got a meeting next week with the IRS regarding our tax-exempt non-profit status. I’ll let you know the outcome.” He checked his online notes. “That’s all I’ve got this week. Do either of you have anything you need to run by me?”
Neither did, so Sin ended the meeting.
As Big D pushed out of the chair, he said, “About tomorrow, I’m overseeing the rental and delivery of the tent and chairs.”
That made Sin smile. “Thank you. You’re a guest. You don’t have to do that.”
“I’m happy to help out. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait,” Jessica replied. “It’s so exciting.”
As Sin walked them into the lobby, the elevator doors slid open and Evangeline got off. “Hey, it’s my two favorite employees from The Develin Center for Runaway Children.”
Jessica laughed. “We’re the only employees.”
“For now,” Evangeline replied. “How are you guys?”
Sin’s phone rang and he excused himself to take the call.
“Hey,” he answered. “Do you have everything?”
Maverick laughed. “Yes, for the umpteenth time.”
“Can I talk to Carly?”
“I’m here, on speaker,” Carly replied. “Are you excited?”
“Very. Do you have Evangeline’s dress?”
“Of course. No worries.”
“What time are you getting there?” Maverick asked.
“We’ll be outa here within thirty. Traffic will be heavy, especially over the bridge. We’ll get there around seven.”
“The plan is to show up tomorrow morning at ten,” Maverick said. “And you’re sure it’s okay to bring Whiskey?”
“Positive. Carly, make sure Maverick doesn’t forget anything.”
Carly laughed over Maverick’s groan. “We’ve got this. See you tomorrow.” She hung up.
Sin pulled out the small box from his office safe and tucked it into his computer satchel. On the way out, he stopped at Jacoby’s office. “Have a good weekend.”
Jacoby gave him a thumbs-up sign. “See you tomorrow,” he mouthed. With a nod, he headed toward Evangeline’s office where he found her shutting down. “You ready?”
She eyed his computer bag. “Should I bring work with me?”
“No work this weekend.”
Once in the parking lot, she clasped his hand, then tugged him close. Rising to her toes, she kissed him. “I love working with you. I also love that there’s no PDA in the office. That makes me want to kiss you even more.”
He dropped his bag in the back seat, drew her into his arms, and kissed her. “I am so in love with you.”
She grinned, then grabbed his ass. “I hope we’re going somewhere with a bed. I’ve missed you.”
“You see me every day. You made love to me—more like jumped me—last night.”
She laughed. “I’m pretty crazy about you, if you haven’t figured that out by now.”
“You’ve got nothing on me. I couldn’t survive a day without you.”
Again, her sweet laughter filled his ears as she ducked inside the Alpha Romeo. When he settled behind the wheel, she said, “I’d offer to drive, but then you’d have to tell me where we’re going.”
“Not a chance.”
He drove east as they weaved their way out of the city.
“Aren’t you even going to give me a hint?”
He shot her a smile. “No.”
She stroked his thigh, heating it with her slow, sensual touch. “I have ways to get you to talk.”