“They don’t; they only wish they did.” He spun me out to the middle of the floor, where Roman danced with London and Wilder danced with someone I didn’t recognize. She was a young woman, but I saw a wedding ring on her finger and assumed she was married.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
“The wife of one of the council members.”
“And who’s glaring at them from the side.”
“Ah, that’s another story,” Breck muttered before spinning me again.
“You’re making me dizzy.”
“You always make me dizzy, Feisty.”
“Wow, I stepped right into that line, didn’t I?” I asked.
“You really did. Having fun?”
I looked at the laughing people, the glittering lights, and the man in my arms, and I smiled. “Surprisingly, yes.”
“Well, that’s good to know. And tomorrow, you can take me to the gun range, and that can be our date.”
“Like I said, weird kink.”
He grinned. “Maybe. And the night after that, we can sit alone in our bedroom, and we can watch movies or read a book or do nothing. Because it’s not all this, Sparrow. I might be the heir to the throne, but I can treasure moments of peace as well.”
My gaze traveled over to Roman as he brought London back to Kannon.
“But not everyone in your family gets that option, do they?” I asked softly.
His gaze followed mine. “No. At least not yet. But maybe one day.”
There was another story there, but I knew he would tell me eventually. I was learning them slowly. Learning everything about him. I had never expected that this would be my life. That I would be dancing in a ballroom with a prince and happier than I had ever felt.
“This is only the beginning,” he whispered.
I looked up at him then. “Really?” I asked.
“I promise. Just you wait and see.”
And as the dance turned to a slower one, I leaned my head on his shoulder. And as we swayed, I let him lead. I wouldn’t normally let anyone else do so, but this was Breck, and I was allowed to soften just the barest of moments.
I hadn’t meant to fall for the man I had thought my enemy, the heir to the throne, but I had.
And now I was going all in, full force, with my heart wide open, my soul in his hands, and my future in the stars.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
DANGER
Sparrow
“What in the world are you doing?”
Breck kept trying to unzip my corset as he nipped at the back of my neck. “I’m trying to help you get undressed.”
“We are at a party. A party for your sister. And my boss.”
“I know. But I’m trying to help you.”
I turned in his embrace and looped my arms around his neck. “How is this helping? You’re trying to undress me in public. We have a party to attend. Welcome home for London and Kannon. Welcome the impending baby. Lots of guests. There are a hundred people in this ballroom.”
“I know. But I’m helping you.”
“How is this helping?”
“You look itchy.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong. I was itchy. London had brought me something that she and Rian had cooked up in Paris. The thing had a corset. And tulle. There wasn’t a piece of cotton in sight. Not one piece. God, it was itchy.
And I couldn’t really move that easily in it.
“You are incorrigible. Why don’t you dance with me?”
“How about we dance here?”
“In the shadows? Where you can fondle me in peace?”
He grinned down at me and kissed the tip of my nose. “Now you understand. Trust me, everyone expects me to disappear from these things.”
“Yes, I remember.”
He winced. “But no one expects you to. So this way, everyone will think we’re still here somewhere. Look, you’ve reformed me already.”
“You recognize that you don’t need reformation, right?”
His gaze softened as he watched me. “If you say so. I just, I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. You think I’d wear this for just anyone?”
“I’m honored. Thank you. It does amazing things for your tits.” His gaze lingered as his voice went low and raspy.
I rolled my eyes even as a giggle escaped. “Breck. You cannot say tits in a ballroom.”
“Why not? I like tits. Tits are my favorite thing on the planet. God, your tits, in particular, are spectacular.”
I giggled. “You’re the worst.”
“Yes, but you love me.”
“Yes, I do. Even if you keep saying tits.”
“And you know what?” he asked. He leaned close to the shell of my ear. “Your tits are my favorite tits.”
I couldn’t help it; I gave him a snorting giggle. And he tickled me. Actually tickled me. The squealing was unavoidable.
Wilder walked by us and halted, apparently surprised to still find us present. “I’m surprised you two are still here. I figured Breck would have dragged you out by your hair by now.”
“Oh, so he told you his plans?” I said as laughed.
Wilder shook his head. “Nope. I just know my little brother.”
Breck had the decency to look sheepish. “No. I’m letting her enjoy the party.”
London waddled over, with Kannon close behind. “There you are. Rian and I were trying to get a picture with you in this dress.”
I groaned. “I wear dresses sometimes.”
Kannon raised a brow. “Name one. Just one time.”
“The Oscar party that one time. I wore a dress.”
He shook his head. “No, you wore some kind of wide-leg pant thing with pockets. It only looked like a dress.”
I frowned. “Semantics. Also, mind your business.”
His smile was warm. “Well, you look lovely.”
London took my hand. “Come on. You can’t deny a pregnant woman.”
“Oh, God. You know you can only use that pregnancy for so much longer.”
She shrugged. “I’m baking a human. I can make that excuse for however long I want.”
I shrugged. “Good point.”
As London wrapped her arm around me, I could see the love in Breck’s eyes as his gaze followed me.
Wilder nudged his shoulder and said something to him that made Breck blush. What in the world? I’d have to ask him about that later. I couldn’t help but smile. This was my new family. I never thought I’d ever be this happy.
“Thank you, Sparrow.”
I squeezed London back. “For what?”
“For mending my brother’s broken heart.”
“I’m not sure his heart was ever broken.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. Breck’s held himself apart for a very long time. And to see him with you, just open and laughing and so in love it hurts. I know that’s on you. So, thank you.”
“Well, I think I’ve got the better end of this deal. He’s kind and loving and… God, look at him.”
London rolled her eyes. “Do I need to remind you that I’m pregnant? I have a very limited gag reflex.”