Pure Wicked (Wicked Lovers #9.5)(45)
Author: Shayla Black

He banded a beefy hand around her waist and bowed his head until their foreheads touched. He stroked her crown with a soft palm. “It’s all right. I understand. Hayden’s crap, Jayla’s questions, Candia’s text…”

“They messed with my head,” she agreed breathlessly.

“I sent Candia to explain since she had all the evidence on her phone. You better now?”

She nodded, then looked around to see that her best friend had melted into the background, probably in the kitchen doing crowd control. Bless her.

“Much.” Bristol smiled brightly. “You’re here.”

“You ready to talk?”

“Yeah.” But she wanted to make one thing clear first. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. That song I was writing for you at your place? I finished it this morning. Can I play it for you? You’ll be the very first person to hear it.”

Her heart flipped and fluttered. “Please.”

With the warmest smile she’d ever seen him give, he twisted the guitar strap around his body and anchored the instrument against his chest. He strummed and looked at her. He was all man, but she saw the uncertain boy under that who hoped she’d like his gift.

After he cleared his throat, he began singing in the beautiful tenor that had made him millions.

“You turned me on

Like a light bulb

With just a smile

And all your charm

You made me hot

My heart was frozen

All but closed down

Then you sparked me with a touch

And now you’re gone

I’m so lost

Looking for a way to carry on

I can’t go back

To who I was

To who I’d been

Don’t want to hear ‘God, remember him when…’

Before you

I didn’t know what I wanted

Or know about love

I didn’t understand

You’re all I’ve dreamed of

But now you’re gone

And I live with regret

I’m just not ready to handle it yet.

Before you

I didn’t know you would change me

Or show me the way

I didn’t understand

Why my pride wouldn’t wait

But now I see

I understand

You’ve made me into a better man.”

As he repeated the chorus, Bristol teared up. The drops rolled down her cheeks. He’d written those words about her? “It’s beautiful. Oh, my gosh… I’m so honored. Touched.” She choked. “In love with you. I wish I had something to give you in return.”

“Right now, I only want one thing.” He got down on one knee and drew out a pretty blue box from his pants.

She gasped. When she untied the white bow and pulled off the lid, a sleek black velvet box lay inside.

“Open it,” he insisted softly.

She did so—and absolutely lost her breath. Inside was an exquisite Tiffany engagement ring. It wasn’t beautiful because of its size or overwhelming dazzle, but because of its sparkling simplicity. It looked like something she would have picked out for herself.

She looked at him, fresh tears sparkling. “I love it.”

“Marry me, Bristol Alexa Reese. We’ll wait as long as you want to announce our engagement and tie the knot. We’ll get married however you want and live wherever you want. I’m dissolving the band to go behind the scenes and focus on my songwriting. I swear no getting wasted or getting laid. I just want everything to be you and me and our lives forever.”

Tears ran down her face quickly now. She sobbed at the feeling swelling in her chest, but she managed to choke out one word to him. “Yes.”

A grin broke out across his handsome face. “No doubts?”

“None.”

“What are you going to tell your family about me? About us.”

“That I’m in love.” She gave him a watery smile. “And to butt out.”

He took the box from her shaking hands and settled the ring on her finger. “It’s a perfect fit.”

She raised up on her tiptoes and pressed a tender kiss to his lips, melting into him now and always. “Just like you are for me.”