Page 123 of Steel Beauty

I set my finished mat beside hers, the two works lying side by side. Malie meets my gaze, her expression full of understanding and encouragement. In that moment, something shifts—a sense of belonging, not just to this family, but to a part of myself I’m only beginning to discover.

Chapter31

Magnolia Steel

Soft morning lightstreams through the windows, casting the room in a warm, golden hue. Alex’s arm is draped around me, his presence a quiet reassurance, steady and familiar. Waking up like this—wrapped in his warmth—feels like a secret I want to hold on to forever.

He stirs, his arm tightening slightly as a sleepy chuckle rumbles from his chest. “Morning, blanket thief.”

I laugh, tilting my head to meet his gaze. “Blanket thief? I think you’ve got that backward. I spent half the night reclaiming my side after you stole the covers.”

His lips curve into a slow, easy grin as he brushes a stray lock of hair from my face. “So, you’re the victim now, huh?”

“You’re built for rugby, and I’m built for… arranging throw pillows. Cover battles are not exactly a level playing field here, big guy.” I arch an eyebrow, feigning seriousness. “Rude.”

His chuckle is low and soft as his hand lazily traces circles on my back. “Fair.”

A comfortable silence settles between us, the memories of our week in Samoa still fresh in my mind. Each one vivid, treasured—a reminder of how deeply we’ve fallen into this rhythm together.

“I’m still not over the fire-knife dance. Seriously, how did I not know you could do something like that?”

Pride lights his eyes. “Didn’t scare you off?”

“Scare me?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Not even close. You were incredible. Honestly, I could barely breathe watching you. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.” My fingers glide along his arm, a playful glint in my eyes. “You know you’re going to have to do it again for me, right?”

“Oh, is that so?” he teases, one eyebrow arching. “Just for you?”

“Absolutely. And next time, I’ll try not to forget how to breathe.”

He brushes a kiss against my forehead. “Just say the word, favorite, and I’ll give you a private show.”

“Careful. I might take you up on that.”

He pulls me closer, the quiet intimacy of the moment settling in. I shake my head lightly, still caught up in the memory of his fire-knife dance. “I’m not sure how anyone could watch you and not be impressed.”

“Glad to know I made an impression. But honestly, you impressed my family more. They love you.”

A smile tugs at my lips as memories of the past week surface—Malie’s warmth, the easy banter of his siblings, the way his cousins welcomed me like I’d always belonged. “I adore them. Your family’s incredible. I’ve never known what it feels like to be part of something like that. It’s special, Alex. You’re lucky to have them.”

His arm tightens around me, his expression soft and full of quiet gratitude. “I know.”

Eventually, the morning insists we leave the bed. Reluctantly, we slip from the covers, our bare feet padding across the floor to the bathroom. The shower fills the room with a soft, steamy haze, and we fall into step with one another—exchanging lazy smiles, the occasional laugh, and unhurried touches that make even mundane moments feel special.

Later, we stand side by side at the sink, caught in the quiet rhythm of routine. He brushes his teeth while I comb through my damp hair, the ease of it all settling around us like second nature. Our glances meet in the mirror, a fleeting moment that feels like we’ve been doing this forever.

He heads to the closet, and I follow, my eyes roaming over the neatly hung shirts. A playful idea sparks, and I can’t resist. “How about I pick your suit today?”

“All right. Impress me.”

I sift through the shirts, my fingers skimming over the fabrics until I land on a sapphire blue button-down. The vibrant color will make the warm, rich brown of his eyes even more striking and will look incredible against his sun-kissed skin. Holding it up, I turn to him with a grin. “This one. Trust me—instant double takes.”

He takes the shirt from me, his smirk softening. “As long as it gets your seal of approval, I’m good.”

I reach for a sleek charcoal suit that I’m certain is tailored to fit him with perfection. “This will set it off—clean, classic, and just the right amount of sharp.” I pluck a navy silk tie with a subtle sheen, holding it against the shirt. “This pulls it all together. Trust me, you’ll look like you walked straight out of a magazine.”

He takes the tie from my hand, his gaze bouncing between me and the outfit. “You know, I think I need you around every morning to pick out my clothes.”

I smooth a hand over the fabric. “Well, I do have an eye for choosing the perfect textures and colors for decor. It stands to reason that I’d have the skills to choose what drapes you too.”

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