“No,” I managed to choke out. “No, absolutely not.”
Champ blinked and straightened, his eyes going cool in an instant. “Uh. Okay.” He nodded once and closed his fist around the ring. “Right. So is it a timing thing, or—”
Wait, what?
Ohhhh.
“Jeez, Champion, I didn’t mean no as in no! I meant no as in yes, but without the wedding.” I grabbed his hand and tried to uncurl his fingers. “Now show me the precious again.”
He held tighter. “Nuh-uh. You’re gonna have to explain in actual English, baby.”
I blew out a breath. “I meant…” I licked my lips, stared up into those blue eyes I loved, and spoke exactly what was on my heart. “I don’t want a fancy wedding. I don’t have a wedding dream of my own because I never dreamed of that for myself. I never thought I’d want to get married, you know? And now… I don’t care how the marrying happens, as long as it’s with you. Turns out I’m the marrying kind, not the wedding kind.” Just like Diesel and Parrish.
Champ’s whole face brightened, and he slid the ring on my finger. “Thank fuck.”
“Were you worried I’d say actually no?” I demanded.
“No.” He cleared his throat. “Yeah, maybe a little at the end there. And that would’ve been really bad.”
“Aw. Because you love me.” I held out my hand so I could watch the sparkles catch the light.
“Well, yeah,” Champ agreed. “That. But also… I kinda had my mom throw together a little party for us this afternoon.”
I blinked up at him. “Oh my God. The gathering she had me organize? That’s my own engagement party?”
The woman was beyond devious. I had so much to learn from her.
But then the meaning of his words clicked. People were coming in just over an hour, and I was a rumpled, sticky mess.
“Oh my gosh.” My eyes widened in panic. “We need to get moving!”
Champ grabbed me by the waist when I attempted to leave the room and pulled me back against his chest, holding me from behind. “Hold your horses. It’s been five days, remember?” His mouth worked at my neck. “I’m not done being reunited yet.”
I tried to protest, but it came out as a breathless, curious “Oh?”
“Also…” Champ moved his hands up my torso to tweak my nipples. “I’ve never fucked an engaged man before.”
I laughed out loud. “Is that right?”
I let him pull me down on the bed, and still cradled in his arms, I turned to look at him.
“Well, I suggest you enjoy the experience while you can, Percival Champion,” I said softly. “Because this engagement thing? It’s a one-shot deal for both of us.” I kissed his smiling mouth. “And if I have my way, you and I are gonna be hitched before you know it.”