Page 86 of Taking the Fight

“Go up there,” Peyton ordered.

Wide-eyed, I gasped. “What? Why do I have to go first?”

Emma giggled. “Because you do. We’ll be right behind you.” I had no clue what was going on. The only thing I could come up with was that they were drunk.

They started pushing me up the stairs, but I held up my hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll go first. I’m not scared.” When I got to the door, I opened it and was greeted with the chilly night air. It felt terrific against my heated skin from the dancing. I glanced over my shoulder at Peyton and Emma. “Aren’t you coming?”

They both shook their heads. “This is something you must do on your own,” Emma called out.

Brows furrowed, I stared at her. “What are you talking about?”

She winked. “Why don’t you take a look?”

Turning around, I stepped through the door and the breath caught in my lungs. The view of the Las Vegas strip was stunning, but that wasn’t what caught my eye. The whole roof was decked out in twinkling lights, and standing in the middle of it all was Braden.

“It’s about time you got up here!” he shouted.

“What are you doing?” I asked, walking toward him. “I thought you were with the guys?”

He nodded. “I was. They helped me get everything set up.”

Stopping in front of him, he pulled me into his arms, warming me against the chill. “Everything set up for what?”

I looked up at him and he gave me that devilish grin that always turned me on. “You know I love you, right?”

“Yes,” I answered.

Stepping back, he dropped down on one knee, and there grasped between his thumb and index finger was a sparkling diamond ring.

Gasping, I slapped a hand over my mouth, my heart racing. “Oh my God, Braden.”

He chuckled. “I’ve given a lot of thought to how I wanted to do this, and I realized there was no right or wrong time. I didn’t know if I should turn this into an elaborate affair or simply do it while we were sitting in our home, watching the sunset together. I’ve been carrying the ring with me everywhere, and since we got to Vegas, I realized I don’t want to wait any longer.” He glanced down at the ring and lifted his emerald gaze to mine. “I love you, Reagan. I know you’ve already told me you’d be my wife, but this is me officially asking.” Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. “Will you marry me?”

Tears burning my eyes, I held out my hand. “Yes,” I cried, my lips trembling as he slid the ring onto my finger. “Yes, yes, yes!” Braden jumped to his feet and lifted me in his arms, his lips warm as he pressed them to mine. “I love you,” I murmured.

Braden’s eyes twinkled. “All we have to do now is figure out when we want to take the next step.”

Excitement bubbled in my chest and I smiled. “Why wait? We’re in Vegas, right?”

His brows furrowed. “Are you serious? Is that what you want?”

Grasping his face, I kissed him. “I have never been so sure of something in my life. I just want you.”

Braden kissed me again. “You have me.” Then, taking my hand, he led me toward the door. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go get married.”

I was ready to take the next step. I knew it in my soul that we were doing the right thing. By the night's end, I was going to be Reagan Emerson.

THE END