The next day, Lucien met Jamie for lunch and shared the news about the beach wedding.

Jamie bit into his burger, nodding. "The beach is perfect. High aesthetic value, great for the 'Gram".

Lucien's eyes crinkled. "You better be there".

Jamie winked. "Half the boxing club will be there. You think I'm passing up that buffet of muscles?".

Lucien huffed. "Can't you just come to be happy for me?".

"Duh," Jamie laughed. "But you were in a cold war with him two days ago".

Lucien sighed, picking at his fries. "Cold wars are bad for relationships".

Jamie nodded. "Bad for the ass, too".

Lucien choked on his drink. Between Leon and Jamie, his mind was officially a crime scene of "yellow" thoughts.

After lunch, Lucien reached for his phone to call Leon. Jamie grabbed his arm. "Don't rush. I need to hit the mall. New arrivals just dropped".

"Now?".

"Yes. Let's go".

Jamie dragged him through store after store. By the time Jamie was loaded with bags, Lucien was ready to collapse. "Jamie, the mall is closing. I'm not getting married tomorrow".

Jamie checked his expensive watch. "It's about time".

"What?".

"Nothing," Jamie said, hailing a taxi. "I'm dropping you off".

"Leon can pick us up—".

"No," Jamie cut him off, pushing him into the cab. "I've got this".

Lucien sat in the back, suspicious. Jamie had never asked for his specific address before. When the cab stopped right in front of the luxury high-rise, Lucien narrowed his eyes.

"How do you know I live here?".

Jamie went stiff. He offered a rusty, awkward smile and shoved Lucien toward the curb. "Go upstairs, Honey. Have a magical night".

Lucien stood on the sidewalk, refusing to move. "Tell me what's going on or I'm not going in".

Jamie gestured behind Lucien. "Fine. Stay there. I'm out. Bye!".

Jamie bolted. A second later, a shadow fell over Lucien. Large, warm hands clamped under his arms and hoisted him into the air.

Lucien didn't need to look. The scent of expensive detergent and trouble gave him away.

"What kind of conspiracy is this?" Lucien grumbled.

Leon pulled him flush against his chest. "You'll find out inside".

Lucien's heart did a frantic somersault. He gripped Leon's shirt. "You... you...".

Leon turned him around. He leaned down, claiming Lucien's mouth in a kiss so gentle it made Lucien's bones melt.

Leon supported his waist as they moved toward the lobby. Every few steps, he paused to taste Lucien's lips again.

The elevator doors opened to the penthouse. Leon didn't let him walk out. He pinned Lucien against the mirrored wall, the kiss turning from a spring breeze into a hurricane.

Leon's tongue was a heavy, possessive explorer. Lucien gasped into the heat, his fingers digging into Leon's shoulders.

Leon let him go. Lucien slid down the door, his knees unable to hold his weight. His lips were a red, swollen crime scene.

Leon smirked, catching Lucien's hand and leading him into the main room.

Lucien stopped. The apartment was a sea of crimson. Rose petals covered every inch of the floor like a thick carpet.

"So cliché," Lucien whispered, though his eyes welled up.

Then he saw it. A ten-tier cake made of hundreds of rolled dollar bills.

"Husband, I love you!" Lucien beamed.

Leon's mouth quirked.

Lucien's face went flat. "Wait. I manage the money. Did you get authorization for this cash withdrawal?".

Leon chuckled.

Lucien laughed, jumping onto the boxer. He wrapped his legs around Leon's waist and hugged his neck. "I'm kidding. This is incredible. Is this the surprise?".

Leon nipped at his jaw. "I baked cupcakes, too. Want a taste?".

"Yes".

Leon carried him to the kitchen island. He set down a tray of frosted cupcakes, each with a different cream shape.

"Is this... a lamb?" Lucien pointed to a white blob.

"It's a perfect likeness," Leon noted.

"And this?".

"A wolf".

Lucien bit into the first one. He hit something hard. He pulled a silver ring from the sponge.

"Telepathy," Leon murmured. "You picked the one with the ring".

Lucien arched a brow. He broke open the next cupcake. A diamond shard ring fell out. He broke a third. A square-cut diamond.

Leon's expression darkened as Lucien kept digging. Lucien grabbed the first ring and held it out to him. "It's beautiful. I like this one".

Leon took a deep breath. He took the ring and dropped to one knee.

Lucien's spine straightened. His throat felt dry.

Leon looked up. His steel-gray eyes hadn't left Lucien since the night they met behind iron masks.

"I've never liked anyone but you," Leon rasped. "From the start, I just wanted to spoil you. To put you on a pedestal".

"I never thought someone could be so fragile, yet so resilient," Leon continued.

"I wanted to lock you away, Lucien. I hate when anyone else sees you. But I can't. You're meant for the sun, not a cage".

Leon's voice was a low, jagged scrape. "I'm greedy. I'm possessive. I'm an arrogant bastard. But I swear, I will never do anything to hurt you".

"Marry me?".