Page 95 of Wicked Nasty

"I'm so proud of you, baby," he says, his voice full of love and admiration. "I always knew you could do it." The weight of his embrace and his loving words make this moment even more special and meaningful to me.

My dad and Katya envelop me in a warm embrace, their arms wrap tightly around my shoulders. Tears of pride and joy well up in my eyes as I look at them.

"We're so proud of you, sweetie," they both whisper simultaneously.

I smile through my tears, feeling grateful for their unwavering support. "I couldn't have done it without all of you," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "This is...wow."

My dad's face lights up with excitement. "We need to celebrate! Go get dressed up, we're going out tonight!"

With a carefree laugh, he and Katya make their way to their bedroom to prepare for the evening.

Danny and I ascend the stairs to my room, the soft carpet under our feet muffling our footsteps. As I undress, Danny perches himself in the center of my bed, his eyes following each movement with unabashed admiration.

"Like what you see?" I tease, unable to resist the playful twinkle in his eye.

His devilish smile sends shivers down my spine, melting me into a puddle at his feet.

"More than you know," Danny growls, his voice husky with desire. He reaches out and pulls me onto the bed, his lips crashing against mine in a passionate kiss.

For a moment, I lose myself in his embrace, my body responding to his touch. But the sound of my dad's voice calling up the stairs breaks the spell.

"Ten minutes, you two! We've got reservations!"

Reluctantly, I pull away from Danny, my cheeks flushed. "Later," I promise, giving him a quick peck before turning to my closet.

I slip into a sleek black dress; the fabric hugging my curves. Danny's eyes widen as I twirl for him, and I can't help but feel a thrill of satisfaction at his reaction.

"You're going to be the death of me," he groans, adjusting his collar.

I go to step out of my bedroom when Danny grabs my arm, pulling me flush to his chest.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Danny leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Just remember, butterfly," he whispers, his voice low and husky, "that dress may look stunning on you now, but it'll look even better on my bedroom floor later."

A shiver runs down my spine at his words, and I have to fight to keep my composure. "Promises, promises," I tease back, my voice breathy.

With a final smoldering look, Danny takes my hand and we descend the stairs to join my family.

The restaurant is a blur of twinkling lights, clinking glasses, and laughter. My dad raises a toast, his eyes shining with pride as he recounts my accomplishments. Katya beams at me from across the table, squeezing my hand.

My father raises his glass in a toast to Danny, a genuine smile on his face. "And to you, young man. It has been an honor to witness your growth and to see the love you have for my daughter. Your own achievements are truly impressive. I have no doubt that Stanford will be lucky to have the two of you."

Danny reaches for my hand under the table, his voice low and intimate as he leans in towards me. "Me and you against the world, butterfly."

The warmth of his touch and the sincerity in his words make my heart flutter with excitement and love. I can't wait to see where our journey together will take us.

Chapter twenty-six

Epilogue

Love Story (Becca & Danny's Version)

Fouryearslater.

I stand tall and confident next to Becca, the flashing lights capturing our joy as our proud parents snap photos. The warm summer air is filled with excitement and pride as we celebrate our graduation from Stanford University.

We make our way towards the elegant restaurant, my heart racing as I fidget with the small box in my pocket. Becca looks up at me with her sparkling eyes, and I know that this is the perfect moment.

Surrounded by our families, who have been there for us every step of the way, I couldn't imagine doing this without them. Their support and love have brought us to this momentous occasion.

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