“I want you to know how incredibly thankful I am to you, Dani,” Zeb said as he effortlessly led me through the steps of our dance.
“For what?”
He chuckled. “Where do I even start? You saved mystepson’s life, and you make him so happy. I’ve been watching him his whole life, and I’ve never seen his aura as bright as it is when he’s with you. But even more, you forgave me and gave me another chance. I’m under no delusions that the deal between me and your brothers would have happened without you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You loved my family. That was enough.”
“Youloved your family. That’s what my brothers see in you. They trust your love for Allison and her kids.”
Zeb shook his head. “Can you just stop arguing with me and accept my thanks?”
I laughed. “Sure.”
“And I do hope you know I never would have touched your family—especially the children. I panicked, thinking you might refuse to help me, and said things I didn’t mean.” His blue eyes were earnest, and I could see the flicker of regret in them.
“I understand.” And I did. I would never like how Zeb treated me that day in the hospital, but I understood loving so fiercely you’d do almost anything to protect those you cared about.
“I owe you, Danielle Blake, for making this day possible.”
I smiled. “Just don’t screw up with Allison and we’ll call it even.”
He grinned as he spun me under his arm. “I’ll do my best. You have my word.”
Hayden appeared at my side almost the second the song ended and took me away from Zeb. He wrapped an arm around my waist and took my hand in his, pullingme close while I grasped his shoulder. My cheek brushed against the scruff of his beard as we moved in time with the rhythm of the next song.
“What did Zeb want?”
“He told me he owed me.”
“No shit, he owes you.” Hayden’s hold on my waist tightened.
“Hey, that part of our lives is over. Let it go.”
He sighed, and for a minute we just danced without a word.
“I should have given you this,” Hayden said, turning his head to press a kiss to my temple.
“Given me what?”
“A reception, a first dance, a real celebration.”
“I didn’t need any of that.”
“But you deserved it, and I should have wanted it. I was marrying the only woman I’ve ever loved, and I didn’t even invite my family to celebrate with me. I should have screamed it from the rooftops that you were my wife. Mine.”
I laughed. “You got me a rock the size of a small planet. I think you got the point across.”
“That’s not good enough. I should have danced with you, shown you off. Proved to the world and both our families that I’m yours. You own me heart and soul, Danielle.”
“And you own mine.”
He dropped my hand and tipped my chin up before lowering his mouth to mine. He kissed me deep, his tongue slipping past my lips and tangling with mine in a slow, sensual dance. It was a promise of more to comewhen we were back home.
Someone—probably Miles—whooped and whistled, and I laughed into the kiss.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Hayden flip his brother off without breaking our kiss.
