Page 47 of Gamble (Black Light #38)
ELIJAH
T he late October evening was perfect for an outdoor concert, with just enough chill in the air to make the leather jacket Elijah wore feel comfortable rather than stifling.
As their driver navigated through the pre-concert traffic toward the Rose Bowl, he couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Reagan practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.
Three months of living together had only made him love her more.
Watching her embrace not just their relationship but the entire world of Black Light had been a revelation.
She’d thrown herself into learning about BDSM with the same methodical thoroughness she brought to her nursing career, and the results had been. .. spectacular.
“I still can’t believe you actually delivered on one of your very first promises to me,” Reagan said, squeezing his hand as the massive stadium came into view. “VIP seats to a Crushing Stones concert. When you said that in the wax museum in Vegas, I thought you were just trying to impress me.”
“You should know by now not to doubt me,” Elijah replied with mock indignation. “Have I ever promised you something I didn’t deliver?”
Reagan’s cheeks flushed pink, and he knew she was thinking about all the very intimate promises he’d made and kept over the past few months. “No,” she said softly. “You always keep your word.”
“Always,” he confirmed, bringing her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
As their driver pulled up to the VIP entrance, Elijah felt a familiar surge of satisfaction.
He’d taken the Friday night off from Black Light specifically for this—Reagan’s first Crushing Stones concert, surrounded by the people who’d become like their extended family.
Tyler could handle the club for the night, especially since most of their celebrity members would be here, anyway.
The private party room was already buzzing with conversation and laughter when they arrived.
Elijah spotted the Cartwright-Davidson clan immediately—Jaxson looking relaxed in jeans and a concert t-shirt while Chase dashed after five-year-old Alicia and Emma tried to corral a rambunctious Andrew, who was clearly determined to touch everything in the room.
“Uncle Elijah!” Both twins spotted him simultaneously and came running. He caught them in a group hug, marveling at how much they’d grown since the summer.
“Hey there, troublemakers.” He used his favorite nickname for the twins. “Are you excited to see Uncle Cash perform?”
“Yes, but Papa wouldn’t let me bring the drum set Uncle Cash gave me for my birthday last month,” Andrew said with the indignation of a five-year-old who had been told no.
“We may enjoy your practicing while at home…” Emma grimaced, making it clear the word ‘enjoy’ and ‘drums’ didn’t belong in the same sentence before she continued, “We aren’t going to schlep those drums all around town with us,” Emma answered her son while approaching with a warm smile for Reagan.
“I suspect you three gave Cash hell for giving a full drum set to a five-year-old,” Elijah said, kissing Emma’s cheek as a hello.
“Jaxson is ready to kill him,” she confirmed with a chuckle. “He’s already started buying a whole collection of loud gifts for Natasha’s Christmas present.”
Cash’s wife, Samantha, joined them, a grimace on her face. “I told him not to get Andy those damn drums, but he didn’t listen to me. Why am I going to have to suffer the payback?”
Next to him, Reagan giggled, enjoying the good-natured banter between their friends. And they were their friends. Everyone had embraced Reagan into the fold as if she’d been there forever, and he was damn grateful.
“How are you settling in with this old grump?” Emma asked his girl with a mischievious grin on her face.
“She’s perfect,” Elijah said before Reagan could answer. “Too good for me, but I’m not giving her back.”
“Smart man,” Jaxson said, joining their group, clapping him on the shoulder. “Reagan, you look beautiful as always,” Jaxson said, leaning in to kiss her cheek just as Elijah had Emma. He noticed she had a bright flush across her cheeks as their friends continued to rally around them.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Sam added warmly. “Cash and I have been looking forward to spending more time with Elijah’s mystery woman. We aren’t in town here as often as the rest of the gang.” Samantha waved her arm around the VIP box full of their closest friends and family.
“Mystery woman?” Reagan questioned.
“You were definitely a mystery for a while there,” Shane Covington said, appearing beside them with Nalani tucked under his arm. “This old bastard kept you a secret for weeks there at the beginning when he was being a dumbass. He almost fucked around and lost you.”
As the string of foul language spewed from the A-list actor, Emma and Samantha did their best to cover their children’s ears, making Elijah smile.
“Only because I was afraid you’d try to steal her,” Elijah shot back at his friend.
“Please,” Nalani laughed. “As if I’d let him. Besides, I knew from the moment I met her that Reagan was perfect for you.”
“Speaking of perfect couples,” Shane said with a grin, “the next time we all get together like this it will be for our wedding next month. Elijah, you’re still planning to walk this beautiful woman down the aisle, right?”
Elijah felt his chest swell with pride and emotion. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Locking eyes with Nalani, he added, “It’ll be my honor.”
“I’m glad you said yes,” Shane replied, then his grin turned mischievous. “So should I start calling you Dad now or wait until after the ceremony?”
“Smartass,” Elijah grumbled, but his smile didn’t dip. “I’ll claim Nalani, but you’re on your own.”
After a few more minutes of chatting, they moved deeper into the room, greeting Khloe Monroe and her intimidating husband, Ryder Helms. Helms was one of the most intense Doms that frequented Black Light, but he was also the most protective and loving husband Elijah had ever met.
He was exactly what someone like Khloe needed considering there wasn’t a place on this earth that she wasn’t recognized.
As they walked deeper into the room, they passed Piper Kole and Nolan Boeing deep in conversation with Chase about some upcoming film project, while the children running around the adults added to the cheerful chaos of the room.
The spread of food and drinks was impressive, and Elijah grabbed a beer while Reagan surveyed the options. He noticed she passed by the wine and champagne, reaching instead for a sparkling water.
Stepping into a quiet corner, he pulled her close before asking, “You sure you don’t want a drink? I got us a driver so we wouldn’t have to worry about driving home.”
Reagan hesitated before looking him in the eye with a mischievous smile playing at her lips. “I’m not worried about driving home. I just don’t want to poison your son or daughter at this critical stage of their development.”
Elijah felt the beer bottle slip from his suddenly shaking fingers, crashing to the floor but thankfully not breaking. “Son... daughter...” he parroted.
“I hope you’re not upset,” Reagan said, her voice growing uncertain at his shocked expression. “I just found out myself. I hope you’re not mad that I didn’t tell you in the car when we were alone, but… yeah… you’re going to be a father.”
For a moment, the room seemed to go completely silent around them. Then Elijah let out a whoop of pure joy that had everyone turning to look at them with concern.
“She’s pregnant!” he announced to the room, sweeping Reagan into his arms and spinning her around. “I’m going to be a dad!”
The response was immediate and overwhelming.
Emma burst into tears of happiness while Nalani started bouncing up and down with excitement, and suddenly all of their friends were surrounding them with congratulations and hugs.
Sam could be heard already making plans for baby showers, while Jaxson was threatening to buy Elijah and Reagan’s baby their own set of loud drums for their first birthday.
Through it all, Elijah held Reagan close, his heart so full it felt like it might burst.
“When did you find out?” he asked against her ear, needing to know everything.
“This morning,” she whispered back. “I wanted to surprise you somewhere special, surrounded by the people who’ve become our family.”
“Christ, Reagan. I love you so much.” He pulled back to look at her face, seeing joy and love and just a hint of nervousness. “Are you happy? I know we haven’t talked about timing?—”
“I’m over the moon,” she assured him. “A little scared, but completely happy.”
“Good, because I have another surprise for you.” Elijah reached into his jacket pocket, his heart hammering as he pulled out the small velvet box he’d been carrying around for two weeks, waiting for the right moment.
The room went quiet again as the dungeon master dropped to one knee in front of the love of his life.
“Reagan Murphy,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “You came into my life when I thought I was too old, too broken, too set in my ways for love. You proved me wrong about everything. You made me want to be better, to be worthy of the incredible gift of your heart.”
He opened the box, revealing the vintage emerald ring he’d spent weeks searching for—something as unique and beautiful as the woman he was offering it to.
“Will you marry me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life trying to deserve you?”
“Yes,” Reagan said through her tears. “Yes, of course, yes!”
As he slipped the ring onto her finger, the room erupted in cheers and applause again. Someone popped open a bottle of champagne and the celebration shifted into high gear.
“Isn’t this all happening a bit fast?” Chase asked with a grin as Elijah stood and pulled Reagan back into his arms.
“I’ve wasted enough years of my life without her,” Elijah replied, not caring who heard him. “I don’t want to wait even one more minute than necessary to make her my wife.”