Kiss Me (Townsend Legacy)

BONUS EPILOGUE

aehyun

“Tania, Congratulations on your win. Now that you’ve accomplished secured your second Olympic gold, what’s next? Are you already looking forward to the 2030 Games?” The broadcaster on the big screen of our Milan villa asks.

I grumble. “The son of a bitch could at least give you a few days to soak in your gold medal win before asking you about four years from now.”

I aggressively press the power button on the remote in my hand, cutting the television off.

From her position on the couch in front of the fire, Tania laughs. “Baby, that’s literally the fourth time you’ve watched that broadcast. The Games ended two days ago. Are you going to hold a grudge against Hank forever?”

I turn to face the woman who’s been the center of my world for the past two years, adoring the sparkle in her eyes. I especially enjoy watching her dressed in only my shirt and a pair of panties.

Though we’ll have to do something about the panties soon.

I moved to the couch, lifting her legs to place them on my lap.

“Those damn commentators need to figure out better questions than to ask a gold medal Olympian about four years from now right after accomplishing their dream.”

I snort in disgust.

I was just as pissed a week ago, standing in the room of commentators while Tania gave her post-win interview with her gold medal hanging around her neck. Yes, pride was the overwhelming emotion coursing through me.

Yet, hearing multiple questions asked regarding ‘what comes next’ angered me off.

“And it’s five times,” I correct the love of my life while running my hand up and down her legs. I can’t get enough of touching her.

“I’ve watched your win six times and the interview five times.”

She shakes her head, laughing. “You’re insane.”

I take her hand and kiss the outside of her palm. “Can’t deny that.”

“Did your mom and sister get home okay?” She asks, her hand on my shoulder. My mom and sister, along with Dae, Kennedy and most of the Townsend family came to Italy to enjoy the Winter Olympics, as well as support Tania.

“Yeah,” I assure her. “Ommae called while you were in the shower. She sends her love and thanks yet again for having her.”

Tania waves me off the way I knew she would, as if to say it’s no big deal. The bond between my sister, mother and Tania has surprised me. It’s made my own relationship with my family closer. Having them here for the Olympics was something I didn’t know I even wanted.

Now I couldn’t imagine it any differently.

Over the past two years together, I’ve definitely become more of a family man than I ever thought I’d be.

It’s not enough though.

The ring box burning a hole in my pocket reminds me I haven’t completed the family I want with Tania. Not until it’s official and my ring is on her finger.

“You know your family’s always welcome.” She adjusts her body to position her head against my shoulder. “I’m going to miss Italy,” she says wistfully.

I kiss the top of her head. “Should we buy a place here?”

She chortles. “How did I know you were going to say that?”

“Anything to make you happy.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and presses a kiss to my cheek. I wrap my arms around her, bringing her to straddle my lap.

“You don’t think the home you bought for us in Colorado is enough? Excuse me,” she says. “The literal mansion you bought for us.”

My lips form a frown. “Do you think it’s too small?”

“Babe? You cannot—the thing is the size of an estate.”

“I had to make sure there’s enough room for you to practice when you don’t feel like going to the main slopes.”

“And the home gym and sauna on site,” she adds. “The in-law suite for my dad.”

“Which he loves,” I add.

She nods. “He does. A separate office for Liza,” she adds then frowns. “Well, not Liza anymore.”

In a few weeks Liza will be transitioning out of the role of Tania’s personal assistant. She’s been promoted to sports agent within Tania’s father’s company. Though she’ll be sharing some responsibilities with Tania’s father for Tania’s career, she’ll no longer be as hands on.

“I’m going to miss her,” Tania says. “But Rachel’s great,” she says of the woman Liza’s been training for the past six weeks to replace her.

“Are you sure?” I ask, pushing one of her braids behind her ears.

She nods but I watch her expression carefully. Tania is still a people pleaser and actually enjoys making others happy. At times, even to her own detriment. Which is why I have to be vigilant to make sure she doesn’t overdo it.

“I love you,” I tell her at the same time my heart swells just from looking at her.

“And I love you.” She leans in to give me a peck on the lips. “Thank you for always being here for me.”

“Where else would I be?” The past two years have seen huge changes in my life. Dae and I hired competent staff to take care of the majority of our business dealings in South Korea, while I permanently set up my home with Tania in Colorado.

I still frequently travel back to South Korea for business and we’ve had many ventures on the slopes in the country where both of my parents were born. But my home is now wherever she is.

“I’m so damn lucky you blackmailed me,” she jokes.

“Do you consider yourself lucky enough to make this a permanent arrangement? Without the blackmail of course.”

She pulls back, granting me a confused look.

I take her by the waist to place her on the couch while I kneel down in front of her, pulling the ring box out of my pocket.

I’ve already spoken to Tania’s father about my plans. He’s also who helped me pick out the ring. A perfect rose gold diamond set in a white gold band.

I planned to do this proposal with just the two of us because Tania is an introvert. And after the past two weeks of competition, constant interviews, followed by celebrations after winning the gold medal, I knew she would need down time to relax.

Hence, why we’ve decided to remain in Italy a few more days at this private villa until the crowds from the Olympics disperse.

“Tania Casey, you are the love that I never expected. My whole heart belongs to you. Will you marry me?”

A lone tear streams down her cheek and her lips tremble as she stares at the ring. “It’s perfect,” she whispers.

“It doesn’t come close to what you deserve,” I tell her. “But it’s a start.” I remove the ring from the box. “If you’ll accept it.”

“Yes!” She bobs her head up and down. “Yes a million times.”

I can barely get the ring on her finger before she tosses her arms around me, laughing. We both topple to the floor, goddamn giggling like high schoolers.

“I’ll marry you.”

Those three words are what I needed to hear to release the tension I’d been holding onto.

I cup her face, pulling her lips down to meet mine in a searing kiss.

“Let’s consummate our engagement.”

“Is that even a thing?” She asks, giggling.

“It sure as hell is now.”

I silence her laughter with another kiss before I start to remove those damn pesky panties to make love to my fiancée.

Thank you for reading the bonus epilogue of Kiss Me.