She breathed faster. “You have so many wonderful fans.”
“True.” He took a step closer. “But I want you.”
Laughter from the outer room drew her attention, and she glanced that way before facing him again. “And so many good friends.”
Another step toward her. “They’re all blessings.” Softer. “I want you.”
“You have a busy life, a thriving career, money and—”
“And you. I want you, Yvette.”
She straightened her shoulders. “Well, I want to make plans.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn’t give him a chance.
“I want to be with you. And...and I don’t want you to go to Harmony without me.”
Wow. After so many straight jabs, she blindsided him with that quick combination. “The pawnshop—”
“That’s why Vanity is here!” She rushed to her feet, setting a grumbling Muggles aside. “She’ll run it for me when I need to be away.”
Had she arranged everything? “When you’re away with me?”
“Would that be okay?”
Better than okay.
“Because I know this was all sort of forced on you—”
“Not even close.” It was past time he set her straight on a few things. “You know I gave Rissy her house, right?”
“Yes. But what does that—”
“And I bought my own house in Harmony. Free and clear.”
“Wow.” She swallowed. “I didn’t realize—”
“I don’t need a share of your grandpa’s house, or anything from the pawnshop. But I wanted to be with you, so I went along for the ride.”
“The ride?”
“Staying at the house with you. Claiming half the pawnshop so you couldn’t just sell it off.” He touched her chin. “I used the excuse your grandfather gave me to make my move on you.”
She sputtered a laugh, saw he was serious, and her brows went up. “But...I’ve always been crazy about you. You knew that.”
Meaning he didn’t need to make moves? He shook his head. “You never wanted to be here, honey. You’d made a life in California. You’d moved on.”
Shaking her head, she whispered, “No. I tried, but...” Looking around, she made sure no one was near the door and able to listen in. “You know things didn’t...work for me, not with anyone else.”
“You know why, right?” He waited for her to say they were good together.
But she went one further and took out his knees, saying, “Because I love you.”
Flattening a hand on the wall to brace himself, Cannon stared at her. She’d pretty much just shouted that at him.
Wincing, Yvette put her shoulders back and said again, more evenly this time, “I love you.”
Damn. “Yeah, that’ll work.”
“What?”
Pure elation put a smile on his face. “Saying things I want to hear.”
“Oh.” She closed some of the space separating them. Not touching, but near enough that he could kiss her if he chose to.
And he would—as soon as she finished declaring herself.
“You love me?” he prompted, sensing that she wasn’t done yet.
“I do,” she breathed. “So much.”
“And whenever I have to travel, you’ll go along?”
“Yes. I mean, that’d require your cooperation, but I’d like to. I can handle the attention.” Her face heated. “I mean, the attention from being with you, the famous fighter known as the Saint.”
He loved the way her face colored, how she licked her lips.
“That is...” She searched his face. “If you want me there?”
“Hell, yeah, I do.”
She expelled an anxious breath.
Laughing, Cannon hauled her into his chest and gave her a quick kiss. “One condition.”
“What?”
“After I get through this next fight, you have to marry me.”
Eyes wide, she stared at him, her parted lips trembling.
Cannon whispered to her, “Say yes.”
“Yes. Yes, yes, yes.” Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him with hunger, with love. “We don’t have to wait, you know. I don’t need a big wedding.”
More laughter came from the gym, followed by the roar of male camaraderie. Grinning, Cannon said, “You might not, but they’ll insist.”
She sank against him. “Armie will make an incredible best man.”
God, he could hardly wait to see Armie’s face when told he’d have to wear a tux.
Yvette touched his chest, played her fingers over his collarbone. “You love me, too?”
He groaned. “How can you not know that?”
“I don’t know. I’ve loved you for so long, in so many ways.”
“Same here, though I didn’t always realize it.” Not giving her a chance to deny that, he kissed her forehead, her nose, then her soft parted lips. “I got hooked on that teenage tease, and even when I tried not to notice you, I couldn’t help myself. Then, when I saw you threatened, wanting to keep you safe consumed me.”
“I didn’t know.” She put her cheek against his chest. “Or I wouldn’t have left.”
“You were still so young.” He moved his hands over her back. “And I got involved with the SBC.”