Bonus Epilogue

Two years after the epilogue

The Laurel Lighthouse rose in front of us like some kind of coastal candy cane.

Elijah and I stood at its base, surrounded by the open ocean on all sides. I was suddenly deeply fucking grateful for the surging surf.

Maybe it would drown out the sound of my heart, currently thrashing around at a volume he had to be able to hear.

I'd hovered in a cage in icy waters while a Great White shark clamped its teeth around the bars. Had dangled from the sides of mountains and been tossed overboard more times than I could count. Absolutely none of it compared to what I was about to do.

I was scared shitless.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I hoped it was text messages confirming what would happen next. Gulping, I raked a hand through my hair and nodded up at the lighthouse.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" I said, aiming for casual.

Elijah stepped behind me, surrounding me with his solid warmth. His big hands wrapped around my waist, his nose landing in the crook of my neck. "You're the beauty," he rumbled. "Much as I love it here, is there a reason why you dragged us from bed?" His nose traced my ear. "I had plans for you."

I smirked. Turned my head to give him a quick kiss. "You already executed those plans this morning, sweetheart. Quite well, as you'll recall."

"I had more."

"Did you now?" My grin widened as he caught my chin and turned me for another kiss. "Not sure I would have survived it."

His answer was a pleased growl from the center of his chest. His lips roamed the side of my neck, which was exactly how he'd woken me this morning—unknowingly disrupting my plans.

Which had been to worship and tease him until he begged me for release.

Those moments between us felt like the best kind of secret—his knuckles white as he gripped the headboard. Every jagged groan, the hushed vowels of god, Luke, please, Luke. This man owned me—mind, body and soul—so I appreciated every chance I had to turn the tables a little.

In true Elijah Knight fashion, he'd spent the morning making me come so hard I'm pretty sure I saw the rings of fucking Saturn. The tables were officially turned. So I was hoping what happened next might do the trick.

"Come on," I said, tugging him toward the shoreline. "I've got something to show you."

His lips twitched. "You look like you're about to cause some trouble."

"That's my natural state."

A smile flashed. "Don't I know it."

We ditched our sandals and waded into the soft foam, both of us quiet as crabs scuttled past. A trio of seagulls squawked overhead, and Elijah's hand tightened around mine.

"You look nervous," he said softly.

My heart lodged in the back of my throat. "And you know me too well."

He chuckled. Squeezed my hand again. "You've never been good at hiding your emotions, Lucas. It's one of the reasons why I love you so much."

Three years in, and I still blushed every time he said I love you. "All this time, I thought I was cultivating a sexy and enigmatic air of mystery."

He shook his head, eyes sparkling. "Never. You're a wide-open window."

I dropped my gaze to the water swirling around our feet, feeling stripped bare by Elijah's sweet attention. This also still happened three years in—feeling endlessly undone by him seeing me, the way no one else had seen me before. It made the words I'd practiced for this moment scramble around in my brain, turning haphazard and chaotic.

"I always…" I stopped, cleared my throat. "I always knew that when I finally did this, I'd do it in the ocean." I cast my gaze up to meet his, watched his brow furrow as he listened. "I thought it'd be romantic, to have a reminder right outside our window every morning. To feel it every time I surfed, every time we strolled the beach like this."

He swallowed hard. "When you did what?"

Every word I'd ruthlessly memorized these past few weeks went up like a puff of smoke. I stopped. Pressed up onto my toes and kissed Elijah, a soft, lingering kiss that made everything I wanted to say seem paltry in comparison.

I dropped to one knee in the wet sand. Took Elijah's hand and looked up to find him visibly stunned.

"Luke," he said hoarsely. "What are you…"

"I have spent every single moment we've been together being so in love with you I can hardly see straight," I said, voice already shaky. "I dreamed of finding someone like you, of finding a love like this, but didn't expect it to happen. Didn't think I deserved it, Elijah. And yet, against all odds, we've spent the past three years together and I've somehow managed not to annoy you to death."

And—oh god—tears were already spilling over and my throat was closing up. But there was Elijah, with shining eyes and a face filled with so much devotion I forgot how to breathe.

"You could never…never annoy me to death," he said roughly. "All I want is you, Luke. You're all I've ever wanted, from the first moment we met. Sometimes I don't…"

"What?" I asked, tears tracking down my cheeks.

He blew out a breath, like he was trying to steady himself. "I love you so much I don't know where to put it. It feels so big. I'm worried you'll think I'm obsessed."

I laughed. Swiped a hand across my eyes. "Right back atcha, sweetheart."

I reached into my pocket, and my fingers closed around the ring. Bringing it into the light, I heard Elijah's sharp intake of breath. Watched his chest shudder and felt his hand start to tremble. "I wouldn't be the person I am today without you, Elijah. You're my handsome shield, my sweetest heart, the person I would follow to the ends of the earth."

Elijah fell to his knees in front of me, the water splashing around us both. But I didn't feel cold or damp, didn't feel the sand biting into my knee. I did feel the warmth of Elijah's lips as they caressed my knuckles. Did feel his calloused palm, cupping my cheek.

And when our eyes met, I said, "I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you marry me, Elijah Knight?"

"Yes,"he choked out. "Yes, and please."

I didn't even get a chance to slide the ring on before he was yanking me to his chest and crashing our lips together. It was hot and rough, our lips salty from tears, both of us smiling so broadly it was hard to keep our mouths connected.

"Wait, wait. I have to put the ring on your finger," I said, laughing, and grabbed his hand.

"I love you," he said. "Luke, I love you so fucking much."

The ring slid on perfectly. I looked up as peace and relief washed over me, staring at the man who'd turned my life upside down in the best way possible.

"I love you"—I kissed him—"so much." Another kiss. "More than anything in this world. And now you have someplace to put all that extra love."

One eyebrow raised. "Into seducing my husband?"

I hummed as I nuzzled his cheek. "Husband. I like the sound of that."

He traced his fingers along my face, like he was memorizing its shape. "If I could marry you tomorrow, I would."

I opened my mouth to respond when there came a shriek from the beach. Elijah turned, eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Who is that?" he asked.

I smiled. Shrugged. Slowly pulled us both to stand and raised a hand to wave. "Hmmm, I'm not sure. What say we go investigate?"

With much less trepidation—and a lot more relief—I tugged Elijah back toward the lighthouse. A small head poked around the side and yelled, "Did you say yes, Uncle Eli?"

Elijah looked stunned for a second time. His nephew, Sky, came barreling toward him holding a bouquet of balloons. Behind him ran Christopher and Shana, holding the twins, as well as Harriet, Rory, Lizzie and Preston. And after that, more friends, more family, every person who'd loved us and showered us with support whenever we'd needed it. They brought flowers and streamers, food and music, hammocks and beach chairs.

A surprise party, for a surprise engagement, for the man who deserved to feel loved by his community most of all.

Elijah laughed as he knelt to pick up Sky. "I did say yes."

The crowd cheered, and I was vaguely aware of my loved ones crowding around us, hugging and squeezing us both.

We had eyes only for each other though. I winked at my former bodyguard turned boyfriend—now fiancé!—and watched him smile like he'd just won the lottery.

"There's no turning back now," I said. "You're stuck with me."

Elijah leaned in for a kiss. "Anything for you, my liege."

THE END (again!)