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prologue

REAGAN

Comic-Con

Los Angeles

“ A re you sure anyone will know what I am?” I ask, running my hands down the green leather jumpsuit I’m wearing, then reaching up to touch the custom headpiece Mikhail had made, which he says makes my Mantis costume as realistic as possible.

“Yes, babe, for the tenth time, I promise people will get it.”

He’s dressed as Iron Man in an authentic metal-looking robot suit. My guy went all out on these costumes in a big way. And here we are, at Comic-Con in Los Angeles, dressed as superheroes. I have now watched every Marvel and DC movie made at least once. Some more than once.

“I haven’t dressed up like this since middle school,” Mikhail comments as we wander into the large convention center space. It’s filled with others who are, for the most part, dressed in costumes or character T-shirts. There are people of all ages, from babies to the elderly. Some costumes I recognize, most I don’t. “I feel kind of stupid,” Mikhail says under his breath.

“ You feel stupid? But everyone here is dressed up. And no one will know it’s you anyway. You’re wearing a mask.”

“Humph,” he grunts at me in response.

We head over to a green screen where we wait in line to get our pictures taken. The photographer grins as we approach, commenting on our “sick” costumes. He has us choose a background and then takes a few photos. Just as we head to look at them on the screen, Mikhail taking off his helmet so he can see, we hear our names. “Mikhail? Reagan?”

We both look up, startled to be recognized, only to see Mikhail’s teammate Boris and his girlfriend, Talia. Talia is in full Hogwarts robes, gold and magenta accents for Gryffindor, her hair in frizzy curls, a time-turner hanging around her neck. Boris, I think , is dressed as a Fortnite character. He looks totally bizarre, and I can’t help laughing as they run up and hug us, telling us how great our costumes are.

Mikhail looks slightly horrified to be running into one of his teammates here, when we’re in full-on superhero nerd mode.

“What are you guys doing here?” Talia asks excitedly. “Who’s the geek?”

I hitch my thumb at Mikhail. “He’s been schooling me on all things superhero But it was my idea to come here.”

“We’ve come the past couple of years,” Talia says. “We love it.”

We end up walking around together, checking out all the amazing booths and sitting in on a few exclusive, star-studded, movie sneak-peek events. As it nears the dinner hour, Talia asks if we want to change and have dinner with them.

A couple of hours later, we’re at a swanky LA restaurant, finishing maybe the best meal I have ever eaten in my life. I’ve spoken to Talia a few times now, but we end up really hitting it off. Mikhail relaxes a bit, chatting with Boris about all things sports, comics, and video games.

As the server comes out with dessert, a champagne bottle also arrives. I look quizzically at Mikhail, who lifts his shoulders and shakes his head. But then, our attention is shifted to Boris, who drops to one knee in front of Talia.

“Natalia,”–he pulls a small jewelry box from his jacket pocket— “we have gone through some wonderful times together, and some hard times too. You have taught me so much and I am such a better man for having you in my life. I really want to be your husband and for you to be my wife. I want this to be forever with you, my love, my Natalia. Will you marry me, krasotka ?”

Talia literally jumps out of her seat, squealing, and nearly tackles Boris to the floor. She’s kind of a klutz to be honest, and Boris has to steady them both to avoid total disaster.

He helps her back to her feet and, at this point, everyone in the restaurant is watching as he slips a massive ring on her finger, asking, “Is that a yes, krasotka ?”

“Yes. Yes. Of course, it’s a yes!”

There are claps from throughout the restaurant, and the server comes back to pop the champagne, pouring some into each of our glasses.

Boris is grinning ear to ear and Talia looks giddy enough to pass out as she holds out her hand, showing me the flawless diamond ring.

“Congratulations,” Mikhail says, a genuine smile on his face.

We raise a toast, and Boris says, “I don’t usually drink, so wish me luck.”

It’s obvious that the two newly engaged have important things to accomplish, because they pay their bill in a hurry, telling us how much fun they’ve had before nearly running out of the restaurant. Talia turns back to tell me she’ll be in touch to talk wedding planning with me soon.

Wow. That’s two high-profile clients from the Crush I’ve brought to Silver & Golden since I started working there. A proposal and a new client were not what I was expecting when we were invited to dinner tonight. I can’t wait to share the news with Veronique, who has turned out to not only be a very gracious and warm boss but also my loudest cheerleader. I’ve learned so much and know with absolute certainty that it’s the job for me. I feel as though all the hard, tough years have made me stronger and more confident at my job.

Mikhail and I catch a cab back to our hotel, holding hands across the seat, both still smiling at the sight of being there for such a romantic moment.

“I can’t believe he didn’t tell us to fuck off tonight.” Mikhail shakes his head. “Like, he probably didn’t plan on having company for that.”

“Maybe not, but Boris seems like an easy-going guy to me, and I barely know him. If he minded, I certainly didn’t sense it.”

He hums an affirmative response, squeezing my hand as we pull up to the hotel.

In our spacious suite, we both undress and put on our comfortable sleepwear, snuggling on the bed while we search Netflix for something to watch.

“All that romance gave you some big ideas about marriage, huh?”

My head is on his chest, so I can’t see his expression. “Um, no, not really. But since you brought it up, Mr. Hockey , would it be so bad, to marry me?”

“Not at all , babe,” he says quickly. “I know it will be the opposite of bad, but we’re both still young.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that.” I let the topic drop since I was not the one to start us down the judgment road at his teammate’s decision to welcome us to witness his proposal.

Some moments pass, Mikhail’s fingertips running up and down my side, snaking my shirt up just a bit so he can touch my skin. “Besides, when I propose to you, it will be way more romantic than at a restaurant after attending some nerd convention.”

“Who’s the person with a thousand superhero books and movies and toys on his shelves? It’s not a nerd convention, it’s a Mikhail convention. And it seems like your teammate is totally in your corner about it.”

He chuckles. “Fair enough. But still, Mr. Hockey will do better.”

I look up, and his eyes are alight with amusement. I kiss him sloppily on the lips as he pulls me fully on top of him, an erection apparent as I settle onto him. “So, the vibe I’m getting here is this : Mr. Hockey sure likes talking about someday popping the question. A lot . He’s the one who keeps bringing it up.”

I wiggle my hips against him, and he smacks my ass playfully in response. “The future Mrs. Hockey has nothing to worry about. I’ll bring it up for her, all right.” He gives me a thrust of his hard cock, grinding it up against me for extra effect.

Aw. He’s telling me without telling me he wants to marry me. Nothing is cuter than Mikhail in a teasing mood like this. Which is something I enjoy seeing more and more of since he and his dad have figured out the boundaries for their relationship. Wiggling some more, I plant another array of wet, loud kisses on his neck and chest.

“I’ll bet he’s really vanilla in lots of ways,” Mikhail says, mischief in his voice.

“Oh yeah?” I stop kissing him and sit up.

“Yeah. Missionary all the way.”

“Poor Boris is getting dragged here. And you think you’re more creative?”

He just gives me a cocky, lopsided grin.

“Well then, Mr. Hockey, my love, you’ll have to show me what you’ve got someday.”

“Oh, I plan on it, future Mrs. Hockey.”

I smile and then hum, knowing my Mr. Hockey is always a man of his word.

But then, with the speed and stealth of the superhero he is, he has our positions reversed in an instant and proceeds to pounce on me, holding me captive beneath his hard body.

“The future Mrs. Hockey is curious about this ultra creative plan of yours.”

Still grinning and looking mighty proud of himself as he prepares to ravish me, he winks and says, “I don’t think you’ll have to wait all that long to find out, babe.”