Trapped and Tackled (Knoxville Coyotes Football #3)

Epilogue

Two Years Later

Talon

“What is it?” Leni asks, biting her bottom lip. She shakes the box and frowns, unable to guess the sound that’s banging around inside.

“Open it.” I nudge the gift closer. I can’t wait to see her reaction.

She smirks at me before ripping into the paper like a little kid. “You know my birthday isn’t for another few months.”

“I know,” I say. “This isn’t a birthday gift. It’s a just because gift.”

“Just because what?” she wonders.

“Just because I love you,” I say simply. “And March is our best window. I don’t have football and wedding season is slow.” Since Leni launched her wedding planning business just over a year ago, she’s been unbelievably busy.

Between her New York City experience, her network through the debutante ball’s organizing committee, and her internet fame for publicly calling out Craig, brides have flocked to work with her for their rustic chic, Tennessee weddings.

“So, we’re going somewhere?” Leni presses.

I laugh. “Just open the box.”

She sighs and lifts the lid. I love the frown that pinches her lips. “They’re…snow boots.” She holds up one of the white boots with gray fur and pompoms.

“They are,” I agree.

“Are we going skiing?” She purses her lips.

I shrug. “I don’t know. Are we?”

“Talon!” Leni snorts, swatting me adorably.

I lean closer and brush a kiss over her lips. “Think, Sunny Leni. Where would you wear snow boots?”

Concentration washes over her expression and then, a burst of excitement shines through. “Talon,” I hear the hope in her tone and relief floods through me.

“Open the envelope,” I suggest.

She tears into it and when she reads the airline tickets, she squeals. “Oh my God!” Leni launches herself into my arms.

I catch her, hugging her to my chest.

“We’re going to the Arctic Circle! We’re going to see the Northern Lights!” She waves the tickets in her hand wildly.

“We leave in a week.” Her enthusiasm is contagious.

“I can’t believe this,” she murmurs. “This is my dream.”

“I know.” I run a hand over her hair.

She turns to face me, her expression bathed in love and light. Pure sunshine. “Thank you, Talon. I love you.”

“I love you too, Leni,” I say, kissing her.

She shifts her weight forward until I rock back, and she pins me beneath her. Straddling me, Leni grins. “I am seriously in shock right now. I can’t believe we’re doing my dream. Together.”

“Believe it, Sunny.” I grin up at her.

When she lowers her head again, our kiss morphs from sweet to needy. I’ll never get enough of her. We make love on our living room floor, in the middle of a Tuesday, and I don’t bother telling her that we’re already doing my dream together. That meeting her, falling for her, has changed my outlook on life and reorganized priorities.

In fact, we’ve already crossed off the top item on my bucket list.

And I love working through every item on hers. Together.

Forever.

I hope you loved Leni and Talon’s romance! Have you been waiting ages for Avery Callaway’s story? It’s finally his turn! I’ve been wanting to redeem the infamous quarterback who broke Mila’s heart in Hot Shot’s Mistake for a long time. Avery’s story is up next and I am thrilled to share that Bound and Blitzed releases January 20, 2025!