Stretching on our bed, the light comforter warm and soft, I glance around and see I’m alone. Lying still a moment I listen for it and smile — the familiar sound of my boyfriend training in the backyard. I throw my feet off our bed, brush my teeth, and stroll into the humid Florida breeze, wrapping a silk robe around my body along the way.

Tobias’s large back is to me as he punishes the kick bag with practiced sequences he uses to keep his reflexes sharp. He varies it but right now he’s doing a skilled right hook, jab, cross, left hook, right hook, uppercut, round house kick finish. Sweat is springing from his body with each powerful blow, his muscles glistening in the sun. He never holds back or plays light. Every hit aims for knockout. He’s told me this is important because you don’t want your body to be trained to do anything less.

He’s taken over Sofia’s training role, and I’m getting pretty good. But we usually end up abandoning practice to attack each other in a less abusive way. Well, I guess that depends on how you look at it. Ahem.

Leaning against the back porch’s beam I stay quiet and watch him for a long time, feeling my body react to his talent, how strong he is, and how good he looks when he’s doing what he loves. When he stops and gives the bag a respectful tap as though it’s a person and not an inanimate object, I smile a little. I love that ritual. He does it every time and there’s something magical about it.

He has other rituals I’ve come to learn. When he makes a protein shake he stirs it the exact same number of times, eleven, without fail. Even if some powder hasn’t dissolved and is still sticking to the sides of the glass.

When he wakes up he drops to the ground and does fifty-five pushups. Before the final one he claps and then springs up to standing like some sort of acrobat.

He’s fought one pro fight since we rented this cottage. It was in Fort Lauderdale and when Andy brought him a flask to celebrate, he informed me he only drank it if he won. If he didn’t win, he’d save it for the next time. He’d been doing this for years, and Andy had known the ritual, but had just become a part of it during the last fight when they began to work together, and when we met.

I love these little things about him, and I can’t wait to learn more.

Tobias’s dark blue eyes lock on me and his smile is instantaneous. “How long you been standin’ there, babe?”

“Hours.”

He laughs and shakes his head, sweat spraying out from his raven-black hair. “You’re a beautiful liar.” Glancing to his shimmering chest he shoots a sexy gaze at me from under his heavy brow. “You like what you see?”

“Your nipples are erect.”

Chuckling he nods and touches them, the muscles on his arms flexing. So sexy. “Yeah, guess I like to punch things.”

My fingers float down the front of my robe as he gets closer and I let the silk open to reveal my naked body. No panties. Nothing but me on display for his lustful gaze to drink in. “I’ve got something you can beat up a little.”

Tobias pulls me to him. “I love you, Hannah.”

My lips part as my heart races. We haven’t said those three words to each other yet. I didn’t expect it to be now, so he’s taken my breath away. He kisses me and our tongues touch. But I pull away because I’ve been dying to say this to him and I can’t wait.

“I love you, too, Tobias. I’m crazy in love with you.”

His eyes drop to my lips and he smiles the sexiest grin before dipping in and taking possession of me in the deepest kiss. My breasts are crushed into his slippery chest, the sun beating down on us. His fingers hook under the silk that’s hanging on my shoulders and he pulls it off, his hands raking down my naked sides with a firmness that makes me shiver with need.

He drops down and lifts my leg, hooks it around his neck as he dives his tongue into my pussy, groaning, “So wet, babe. You got off on watching me training.”

“Always,” I moan, my eyes closing as he flicks my swollen clit with his hot tongue. My hips arch up so he can penetrate me with it and he needs no better invitation. His grunt of desire rumbles against my throbbing pussy as he licks and sucks and flicks me to a quivering mass of ache. “Oh God!” I whimper, clasping onto his head as I lose control, cumming against his panting lips.

He growls like an animal, rises up and flips me around, hiking my ass in the air as he gives it a good swat and says under his breath, “Mmm Mmm. Can’t wait to fuck you.”

And I can’t wait to be fucked.

I grab onto the porch beam, pulsing with sweet aftershocks as I bend over and offer him the sexiest view. I hear him drop his trunks. I close my eyes and moan as he drives his gorgeous cock into me from behind, slowly thrusting with a precision I’m addicted to. The way he moves his hips, how he fills me and the deep, throaty sounds he makes, all of it is my drug.

My hair swings to the side as I look over my shoulder to watch his face as he fucks me. We lock eyes and he shakes his head at how good this feels. “I love you so much, babe.”

Panting, I whisper, “I love you, too. And I love how good you feel inside me! You’re so hard, Tobias. Oh God, your cock is amazing.”

He grunts, “Fuck!” and winces as he shakes his head, this time harder like he’s going to cum. Something crosses behind his blue eyes as they lock with mine again.

I realize what he’s about to do. And I get so excited that goosebumps whisper across my flesh.

He stretches out his massive chest, holding onto my hips as he grinds his, thrusting his length into me over and over.

I feel his cock expand and throb.

He’s panting heavily.

Asking permission without words.

I moan and nod my head.

He hisses and then roars as he cums inside me for the first time, filling me with everything he’s got to give, keeping us connected like I’ve wanted so badly to be.

Maybe until I said the words, he’d never thought he was worthy of being loved like I love him. Of being part of a team. Trusting someone.

And I know this release means he’s starting to believe.

Tobias collapses onto my back, hugging me from behind. I’ve got one hand on the beam to help me stand, the other arm wrapped around his across my breasts. He gasps, “I’ve never done that before!”

“I know,” I whisper, so happy.

“No, Hannah, I mean with anyone. Never done that. I want to start a family with you. I want you to be my wife.”

My breath catches. I give his arm a squeeze and laugh in disbelief. Not that he’s asking, but that I could be this lucky.

I don’t give a good goddamn that I’ve only known him two months.

I want him. Just him.

And I’ve wanted him to claim me.

“Yes! Are you kidding? Yes! I’d love to marry you.” I gasp as he pulls out of my body and whips me around, crushing my lips with his. He pulls away and I’m shocked. There are tears in his eyes. You’d think they’d be in mine, but no. He’s the one who’s a mess.

His voice is deep and cautious as he demands to know, “You really want to marry me, babe? Really?”

“I want to be your wife, Tobias Kyrkos. I want only you.”

“Oh fuck,” he groans, wiping his eyes and shaking his head. He grabs me and kisses me so hard I start laughing. We break apart, and he laughs with me but his is low and guttural, his face grimacing in disbelief. “Hang on. I mean, come here.”

He lifts me up so fast I yelp and carries me into the kitchen. Setting me down, he starts opening cupboards like a madman. He pushes around some cans, grabs a bag of sugar, and shoves his hand inside it!

Is he going to cover me with that?

“Aha!” Triumphant, he produces a beautiful wedding ring covered in crystals of white sugar. My mouth drops open as he walks it to me, smirking like he’s the sneakiest guy who ever lived. “I know you don’t cook so where did I hide it?”

Laughing, and slightly offended, I watch him scoop up my left hand and hold the diamond at the tip of my ring finger. He starts to kneel down but I say, “No no. We’re equals.”

His eyes flicker and he straightens up. “Hannah Cocker, will you take my last name?” He pauses, choked up. “Be my wife?”

Now’s my turn to get teary-eyed as I nod. “Yes. I’ll be your wife.”

This ring sliding onto my finger right now is pure magic.

I was so afraid I wouldn’t find someone who loved me for me, and who I loved in return. And all I had to do was go out of my comfort zone, say yes to Sofia Sol’s invitation for a wild adventure, and face my greatest fear.

Oh, and I also had to steal a ring-girl’s card and show her how it’s done…