Page 180 of Gloves Off

Hazel is a vision, her chestnut hair up in an elegant ponytail, her long white dress cascading down her form in soft waves.

“You are my world,” he says, “and when we’re a hundred years old, I’ll still be flirting with you to get your attention.”

He whispers something in her ear, something just for her. Hazel closes her eyes, like she can’t believe how much he loves her. Like she can’t believe this is real.

I look up to Alexei, holding my hand and watching the couple, and my heart twists at the sight of my handsome husband, with the strong lines of his face, thick hair, and dark eyes.

How could I ever think his eyes were cold? They’re warm like the spring sun, one of those brilliantly sunny days after a winter of dreary rain. Everything’s a bit brighter, lighter, and happier, like it’s all going to work out just fine.

Alexei’s eyes are like that.

He meets my gaze and his throat works.

“Are you thinking about your wedding?” I whisper. “It’s okay. Weddings stir up weird emotions.”

He lets out a soft, silent laugh, shaking his head. “Not even a little bit, Hellfire.” He gives my hand a warm squeeze. “Just thinking about how hot you look in that dress.” He sends a pointed glance down to my feet. “And those shoes.”

“Foot fetish,”I sing lightly under my breath, and he shakes his head, but his mouth is twitching.

At the front of the grand room, the officiant smiles between the couple.

“I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

They kiss, everyone cheers and applauds.

“Remember when you didn’t want to kiss me?” I ask Alexei.

He presses his lips to my temple. “We don’t have that problem anymore.”

Later, after dinner, a band plays and people fill the dance floor. Alexei’s getting us drinks while I chat with Darcy and Hayden, only half listening as they playfully argue over plans for their upcoming wedding.

“We should have aNorthern Sword–themed wedding,” he says.

She smiles. “I love you, but no.”

The entire team and most of the staff are here. Ward smiles down at his daughter, who’s holding his hand and wearing a pink party dress, before he sneaks a glance at Jordan. She looksanywhere but at him. Rory’s parents laugh with Hazel’s parents, a new ring sparkling on Rory’s mom’s ring finger. His parents divorced when Rory was young but remarried this past summer, Hazel said.

While the band takes a break, Pippa gets onstage with her guitar amid cheers and applause.

“This is a song about true love,” she says, smiling at Jamie, before she starts to play.

The newly wed couple dances, swaying on the dance floor, Rory looking down at his new wife with adoration. Their lips move as they talk quietly. My heart aches.

I wish I could lay it all out on the line. If I tell Alexei, though, I suspect he’ll retire, and I can’t let him give up something he loves because of me.

My husband appears at my side with our drinks. He sets them down and holds out a hand to me.

“Let’s dance, Hellfire.” He takes my hand. “I want to dance with my wife.”

On the dance floor, his arms surround me, and I loop mine around his neck. We sway to Pippa’s soft, lilting voice, the strum of her guitar. Alexei’s breath tickles my cheek, and I inhale his fresh male scent.

This song is familiar, and it hits me. I lean back to look up at him. “This is the song we danced to at the team dinner.”

He nods, studying me. I think back to how I felt, dancing with him that night, hating him. Questioning Pippa’s sanity for falling for someone so hard. Feeling like a phony in front of everyone.

I get it now. I’m the one who fell hard. I’m the one who let this get real.

I wish we could stay here forever, on the dance floor in a ski town in the middle of the mountains, where everything is an easy, effortless dream.

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