Page 45 of Risky Match (Royal Spies #1)

As we step on the dance floor, the music slows, and I turn to embrace Bri.

“What’s going on? What happened to the fast music?” she asks in a whisper.

“I requested a slow song for our dance. I wanted a chance to talk,” I say, gazing into her eyes with hope. This is it. I have to convince her that she’s everything to me. Failure isn’t an option.

“Why here? Why now?” She searches my face for answers.

Brushing a lock of hair from her cheek, I’m mesmerized by her.

“Because this is where it all started for us two years ago. I’ve thought of you so many times since.

Then we reconnected here, and I fantasized about the future with you.

When things went sideways, I was devastated.

Then I was mad at myself and lashed out.

I should have listened when you tried to explain.

I’ve been miserable since the day we fought. I’m so sorry for everything.”

She looks away, sadness clouding her eyes. With a slight tremble in her voice, she says “It’s okay. I understand how you could have misconstrued the situation.”

Gently turning her face back to mine, I shake my head.

“That’s not an excuse for my behavior. You’ve taught me so much about myself.

Some things I didn’t like very much and will work to change.

As for the other things, I’m still sorting them out.

There is one thing that I know for certain though.

I need you in my life. I play better when you’re around.

You make me happy and calm. Our chemistry is in the stratosphere.

I don’t want to live without you. I love you. I can only hope you feel the same.”

“You love me?” she asks, uncertain.

“I do.”

“Do you still believe that I slept with you as part of the mission?”

Clearly, my accusation crushed her. How could I have been such a tosser? I need to explain.

“No. I know your job was to investigate me. And I looked guilty. Two of my own team members were guilty. I was just hurt that you suspected me. But then I jumped to conclusions about you. It’s ironic that I was mad at you for doubting me when I didn’t give you the benefit of the doubt either.”

“When I first heard you were a suspect, I couldn’t believe it. Then the evidence started adding up, and I questioned my judgment. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“In your position, I would have doubted me too, but somehow you still fought for me.”

“I did. And I’ve regretted that I didn’t have the chance to tell you how I felt.

You’re the only person who has ever sent chills down my spine, making me want to be with you every chance I could.

I also thought of you for the last two years.

You’re the only man I’ve ever truly wanted.

I love you too. It’s destroying me to think I ruined our chances. ”

“I don’t want to lose you, Bri.”

“What does that mean for us?”

“I have a proposal.”

She gasps, covering her mouth with both hands. She manages to softly say, “Please Blake, don’t propose. I love you, but it’s too soon.”

“Oh! I’m messing this up. I didn’t mean that type of proposal.”

“What did you mean?”

“Please hear me out before you answer.”

I signal to the emcee, and he hands me the microphone.

Speaking to the crowd, I say, “First, this is not a marriage proposal. But I do have an important question to ask Princess Briana. I want you all to be my witnesses. I don’t want her to have any reason to question my sincerity. So everyone, can you do that for me?”

The crowd erupts in a collective cheer of “Yes!”

I turn back to Bri, taking her hand and staring into her eyes.

“This evening has a special meaning for us. We met at this event two years ago. Neither of us were here because we were champions but rather because we were expected to attend. You uplifted my spirits that evening and again after I collapsed in the singles match this year. You’re the sunshine in my day even when it’s raining.

You make me a better person. You’re the reason I was able to return to play after being poisoned.

You even make me want to play mixed doubles.

Everyone knows that’s quite unusual for me. ”

The crowd laughs as Bri nods.

“I want to spend more time with you so we can date and learn more about each other. I don’t want us to have a long-distance relationship.

I propose that for the rest of this year, I skip my singles tournaments.

Instead, if you agree, we’ll play mixed doubles at every tournament that your schedule allows.

The rest of the time we can spend wherever you would like.

The decision is entirely yours, and I’ll understand if you need time to decide.

But I wanted to do this in front of everyone here to show you that I’m completely serious about making us work. What do you say?”

Someone in the audience yells, “Talk about a grand gesture! Say yes, Princess Brianna.”

Bri pulls the microphone toward her and says, “My answer is a definite, unequivocal, yes.”

The emcee reclaims the mic as the crowd erupts, and the music changes to an upbeat song to celebrate. Couples flood the dance floor, but we stand in the middle, embracing each other.

I say, “It was supposed to be a royal-worthy gesture. Prince Adrian suggested that a grand gesture wouldn’t be sufficient.”

“Adrian helped you?”

“Technically, Prince Adrian and Prince Stephen both helped.”

“I haven’t been speaking to them after they let Harrington withhold information from me. Maybe helping you was their roundabout way of apologizing.”

“In the spirit of honesty, I should also share that Erin, Fausto, and our parents helped too.”

“Are you joking? What did they do?”

“Fausto made your favorite breakfast to put you in a good mood. Erin made sure you showed up for it instead of eating in your room. Your parents invited mine to ride with them, so you would come here with me.”

“I’m impressed. You’ve been busy.”

“I have, and there’s one more surprise I hope you will like.”

“Don’t worry. You know I love surprises.”

The other dancers shield us from prying eyes as I press my lips to hers in a deep, claiming kiss. She’s mine now, and I’m not letting go.