The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(82)

We check in. The bellman brings our bags to the room, and I pull a soft pink dress out of the garment bag. "Put this on, pet."

She runs her fingers over it. "It's beautiful."

"It's going to be more beautiful on you. Go put it on. We have dinner plans," I announce.

We both get ready. I dress in a pair of khaki linen pants and a pink linen shirt. I roll up the cuffs, displaying my ink, and we step outside.

"Where are we going?" she questions.

I point to a deck on the beach. There's only one table. Candles flicker in the darkness, and a team of servers stand in a line. I reply, "Over there."

She gives me another surprised look, and I lead her over to the deck. My stomach fills with nerves during dinner, and I barely taste the poke, sushi rolls, and wine.

Before dessert arrives, I rise and motion for the staff to leave the deck. They disappear, and I say to Blakely, "Let's dance."

She laughs. "There's no music."

Almost on cue, her song, "The End," from the demo, blares through the air.

Her eyes widen. I don't let her be shocked for too long. I tug her into my arms and start moving in a slow dance.

Her voice belts out, "We're not forever. Our days fade before us, and it's all okay to you."

"Why is my song playing?" she questions, giving me a worried, sad glance. It's the same expression she wore the day she sang it in the studio.

I tug her closer to me and murmur in her ear, "You're wrong. Every word of this song is wrong."

She freezes, holding her breath, her eyes glistening, and she pins her calm chaos of blues on me.

I study her, nervous, but I've never been so sure about anything. I slide a ring on her finger and say, "Marry me. Make us forever."





25





Blakely





Since I woke up, I've stared at the ring on my finger, still in shock, wondering if I was dreaming. I've not moved except to pinch myself a few times.

Riggs's deep laugh tears me out of my trance. "Are you having second thoughts, pet?"

I turn over in the bed.

He sits back in an oversized chair, shirtless, his eyebrows arched.

"No, I'm just..." I glance at the radiant, flawless, who-knows-how-many-carats diamond shining on my hand. I admit, "I'm still in shock."

His lips twitch.

I sit up. "Why are you watching me sleep?"

"I always watch you sleep," he confesses, which is another surprise. I've only caught him once, the night he drank too much.

Flutters fill my stomach. I ask, "How long have you been awake?"

He shrugs. "Since around four. I went down the street to catch some waves."

I blurt out, "I would've gone and watched you."

He shrugs again, and it hits me how laid-back he's been since we got to Hawaii. I'm not used to this new Riggs, but I like it. He says, "Maybe tomorrow you can."

"How long are we here?" I question, never wanting to leave Hawaii. It's beautiful, and I haven't been here since I was a child. Like his normal style, Riggs has gone over the top to ensure our privacy, but I'm not complaining.

"A week, possibly longer. I have some business deals I might need to close next week, so we have to play it by ear, pet."

"That's okay. I should get moving. It looks like a beautiful day outside," I state, glancing out the window, then rising. The water twinkles from the morning sun. Two volcanic islands, Molokini and Kahoolawe, look like they're a swimmable distance, even though it's too far.

Riggs stands, then dangles a skimpy white bikini in front of me. He leans into my ear. "Put this on, future Mrs. Madden."

Flutters fill my belly. I bite my smile. He's been calling me that since he proposed last night. And I have to admit, I love it.

I slide my arms around his neck and inquire, "Should I change my stage name?"

He stares at me a minute and then shakes his head. "No, Ears said you had the perfect name. Leave it as Fox, but you're legally changing it to mine."

I softly laugh. "Is that so?"

His chest puffs out. He squeezes my ass and asserts, "Without a doubt. Now get your suit on. It's perfect weather."

"Yes, Sir," I say.

He winks and goes into the bathroom. I put on my suit. We leave the suite and walk across the grass until we get to the sand.

There's no one on the beach. Crystal-clear water gently laps on the shore. An oversized blanket covers the sand, and we sit. I stare at the water in awe.

"It's gorgeous, isn't it?" he asks.

"Yes."

He adds, "Makes my Malibu place look crappy, huh?"

I laugh. "I wouldn't exactly say that. And how is this beach not filled with people?"

Riggs grunts. "Easy. I paid everyone off."

I gape at him. "I don't even want to know how much that cost."

"Good thing you don't have to worry about it, then," he claims and lies down.

I assess the property again, then slide over him, drag my fingers over his chest, and innocently ask, "So no one's watching us?"

Mischief explodes in his expression. He flips me onto my back so fast that butterflies dance wildly in my stomach. His eyes twinkle, matching the water. I've never seen him look so happy, which makes my heart soar. I'd do anything possible to keep him looking like this.