Page 100 of L.O.V.E

“How’d you learn to dance?”

“Mom insisted. If I was going to be a fighter, I needed the grace of a dancer.”

“Remind me to thank her later.”

God, she killed me. I’d dropped my bleeding heart at her feet, and she wanted small talk. Whatever. I’d give her anything.

“Can you believe this shit with our mothers?”

Natalie didn’t answer, instead studying my face, her eyes liquid and worried.

I spun, once, twice, until her back hit the wall. Loved her that way, safe between my arms, breathing hard and blushing. “Whatever doubts you have floating around that head of yours, stop. I’ve got this. I’ve got us. We’ll figure this out.”

She opened her mouth to argue. I silenced her with a kiss.

God, the way she kissed, taking all that I gave, giving it back tenfold, her entire body getting involved, melding to mine.

I had no plan other than holding her and taking my fill, but then she coiled her arms around my neck, hopped up, and hooked those sexy legs around my waist, and my sole purpose became making that woman shatter in all the best possible ways.

“Fuck. I need you. Right now.”

The vixen moaned, grinding against my erection, and…Jesus…fuck. My knees buckled.

“Good God!” A sultry cry bounced off the marbled walls. “Sorry. So sorry to—Natalie?”

“Shit.” I laughed. What else could I do?

“Oh, God.” Natalie dropped her feet to the floor, and I held her steady and close, blocking her from view until she righted her skirt.

She looked up at me, biting her lip and laughing, too.

“Hi, Angelique,” Natalie said, clutching my shirt and turning her head to face the intruder.

Angelique. Finn’s mother. They had the same exotic eyes

“Sorry, Natalie.” The statuesque woman clutched a small silver purse to her clingy black dress. “I was looking for the ladies’ room.”

“It’s on the other side of the bar.”

Cheeks crimson, Angelique raised an eyebrow at me, smiled, then said to Natalie, “Oh, my sweet child. I’m so glad you moved on from that oversized doofus. You know, the one with the funny name.” Then, she shot me a wink, turned, and made her way back into the ballroom, her red heels perpetuating a killer hip swing that only a well-seasoned lady could pull off.

“I like Angelique.” I lifted Natalie’s arms back around my neck.

“She’s a character. And one of the smartest women I know.”

“Can we get back to kissing?” I pinned her against the wall once again.

“Nats! There you are.” Finn’s voice boomed our way.

Jesus. Fuck. Enough with the interruptions.

With a heavy sigh, Natalie pried her body from mine and fell into her cousin’s arms. Their embrace was short and sweet, but long enough for me to wipe the lipstick off my mouth and straighten my tie.

Finn looked my way. “Dad’s about to give his speech. Come on.”

Arm around Natalie’s shoulder, he offered his hand. We shook. He guided my girl back into the ballroom. I followed and joined my parents while Natalie joined her family.

Joe King gave a heartfelt, funny speech, waxing poetic about hard work, integrity, and the love and support of his wife.