Page 34 of Rulebreaker (Gamebreakers #4)

THIRTY-FOUR

Lily

Resuming the tour was hard. Like, I wanted to sob and throw myself into Atlas’s arms and never let go hard. But he promised he’d fly out to meet me every few days, and the last thing I ever want to do is disappoint my fans.

As it is, I had to delay two weeks’ worth of shows, something I’ve never done before, but now that I’m back in the thick of things, it doesn’t seem that Stan’s death or the accompanying media frenzy impacted attendance at the concerts.

If anything, the support I’ve gotten has been eye-opening.

Fans and industry executives alike seem to have already forgotten there was a scandal.

Not that Harrison didn’t give it his best shot but Atlas is truly a force to be reckoned with.

We both know that Harrison won’t give up without a fight, but Atlas and I are fully prepared.

I don’t want to think about Harrison tonight, though.

Atlas should be here any moment and then we’re going to a late dinner with Jean-Michel and Tiff, who came to town for tomorrow night’s show. I’m playing here in Boston the next two nights, and Atlas had a meeting in New York today, so we thought it would be fun for the four of us to have dinner.

The plan was for Atlas to fly out as soon as he finished his business in New York, and he’s running late, which isn’t like him, so I’m trying not to worry.

I’ve probably been emotionally clingy the last couple of weeks, still trying to process everything that’s happened, but Atlas has become my rock.

Even though we’ve had to be apart geographically for some of the time, he’s been there for me emotionally without fail.

I’m not used to having a man taking care of my needs, but he’s such a good guy.

The best guy.

He’s given me time and space to work through the stages of grief over Stan but still managed to be there for me in whatever capacity I need. I didn’t know there were men out there who could make a woman feel protected, safe, and loved without simultaneously feeling smothered.

But there are–and this one is all mine.

The lock on the hotel room door whirs as someone disengages it and I turn to see Atlas letting himself into our suite.

“I was getting worried,” I say, hurrying over to him. “And we have dinner plans.”

He wraps his arms around me and presses a light kiss on my lips. “I know. I’m sorry, I should have called, but I was focused on getting here. Traffic getting out of the city was horrific and it wasn’t great here in Boston either.”

“Well, I’m just glad you’re here.” I lean against him, resting my body against his.

This seems to be my position of choice lately–the two of us pressed close together whenever possible–and I think he likes it too because he’s gently stroking my hair with one hand and caressing my back with the other.

“I had multiple meetings in New York,” he says quietly. “ That’s partly why I was running late, but one of them was extra important. For both of us. And I have a surprise for you.”

“Oh?” I glance up curiously.

“Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”

I lift one eyebrow. “I feel like I should make a crude remark.”

He laughs, that rich, deep sound that always warms me. “Believe me, if I was after a hand job, that wouldn’t be how I’d go about it. Now stop deflecting and close your eyes.”

I let my lids flutter closed and hold out my hand.

I’m not sure what I’m expecting, but what feels like a stack of papers isn’t it. My eyes fly open and I look down, wrinkling my nose.

“What is this?”

“Read it.”

I try to focus on the words but there’s a lot of legalese that makes my head spin. I do see Harrison’s name, though. And Stan’s.

“This looks like…”

“It’s a document that Harrison signed that will make all the bullshit with the will and the prenup go away.”

“Seriously? Atlas, what did you do?” I whisper, staring from the papers to Atlas’s gorgeous face and back again.

“I simply made him realize that my contacts at the FBI are a lot scarier than any of the probate lawyers and judges he was hoping to convince you violated the prenup. So with a little monetary incentive, I made his problems go away and in return, he leaves us alone.”

Us .

Not you, but us.

Like the mess I made when I was twenty is his problem too.

God, I love this man.

I set the papers on the nearest flat surface and then very slowly lift my hand, using it to softly cup the side of his face. “I fall more deeply in love with you every single day,” I say, my voice catching slightly at the end.

“That’s good because it’s exactly the same for me.”

“I don’t know how you did it, but the details don’t matter to me because this is the most amazing surprise ever. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. All I need is your love.”

“Well, you have that. My love, my heart, every part of me. I think I’ve been yours since the first time you walked into a door for me.”

He sighs. It was meant to be a joke but as he stares down at me, there’s something in his eyes I’ve never seen before–indecision.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, winding my arms around my neck.

“I had a plan,” he murmurs, “but now I think I’ve changed my mind.”

“A plan? For what?”

“Romance.”

“And now you’re opting for no romance?” I ask playfully. “I might be a tiny bit disappointed.”

“No. I’ve simply opted for a different kind of romance.” He smiles. “Will you indulge me by closing your eyes one more time?”

“I’ll always indulge you,” I reply softly.

And then I close my eyes.

I trust him completely.

Whatever it is he’s planning will be wonderful.

I hear him walk away from me, then the rustle of his jacket.

Then silence.

What on earth is he up to? I’m dying to peek but I’m not going to. I love surprises and Atlas tends to be excellent at them.

“All right, sweetheart. ”

My eyes open and the scene before me takes my breath away.

Atlas is down on one knee. Holding out a little velvet jewelry box.

Oh. My. Fucking. God.

He’s proposing.

I didn’t see this coming, but excitement whips through me, and I clap my hands over my mouth. “Atlas!”

“I had a whole evening planned,” he says, gazing up at me.

“Dinner with our friends, followed by champagne, flowers, a rooftop bar overlooking the city… but it suddenly occurred to me that this moment, the one where I bare my soul and ask you to be my wife, should be just the two of us.” He pauses, swallowing.

“No press, no nosy onlookers, not even friends. No one but you and me.”

Sometimes it’s like he can read not just my mind, but my soul.

“I love you, Atlas,” I whisper. “And I love the thought you’ve put into this.”

“And I love you. Pretty much since the first time I saw you–and promptly walked into a door.”

We both chuckle.

“So, Lily… my untamable, beautiful, talented Lily. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, forever and always?”

“Oh, yes.” I don’t hesitate because…why would I?

I love this man with everything I am.

He plucks the ring from the box and I hold out my hand so he can slide it on.

Then I look down, take in the sheer size of the diamond, and a burst of laughter bubbles out of me.

It’s the biggest, most brilliant jewel I’ve ever seen, sitting on my finger like a veritable rock. Which makes me laugh even harder .

Until I note the confusion in his eyes–are his feelings hurt?--and quickly shake my head.

Because Atlas doesn’t even realize how over-the-top the ring is–all he knows and wants is to show me the depth of his feelings for me. Which are obviously quite large.

“What’s funny?” he asks quietly, a speck of insecurity lurking behind those dark orbs. And I never want to see that because of me.

I drop to my knees in front of him, wrapping one arm around his neck and resting the hand with the ring flat against his chest so we can both look at it.

“The ring is funny because it’s the most ridiculously over-the-top thing I’ve ever seen. It’s big and gorgeous and larger than life–kind of like you. And I’m going to love wearing it almost as much as I love you.”

His expression softens and we stare down at my hand together. “Are you sure? We can get something else… or something smaller… or–”

“Shut your filthy mouth,” I tease, leaning in. “This is the ring every little girl dreams about, and I’m the lucky one whose man bought it for me. I laughed because it’s so you–and also because it’s so perfect for me.”

Our mouths crash together and we kiss and kiss and kiss. We pull apart, stare into each other’s eyes, and then start to kiss again. Until finally, he helps me to my feet and pulls me flush against his chest.

“I love you, Lily.”

“I love you too, Atlas.”

“It’s seven twenty-four,” he says.

“I know.” I wiggle my ring finger at him. “And as much as I love kissing you, I have things to do.”

“Such as?”

“Such as calling all my girlfriends and telling them we’re engaged!” I grin and spin away from him, reaching for my phone.

He chuckles. “Well, then, by all means… but you only have five minutes.”

“The limo can wait,” I laugh.

“Yes, but Jean-Michel and Tiff may not.”

I roll my eyes. “We just got engaged–Jean-Michel needs to cool his jets!”

Then I hit the speed dial for Sandy’s number.