Page 103 of River
“Naw, don’t get your knickers in a twist. We already said no to Charles and Liv, but it’s kind of you to offer.” Owen waved a dismissive hand. “We don’t want any of you Robertsons to pay for our wedding. We’d rather eat oatmeal for a few years.” He had a pleasant deep laugh. “It’s fine. It’s all fine. I’m getting my girl, and that’s all that matters to me.”
We cheered again before Owen moved on.
“I think it’s time for me to dance with my beautiful wife.” Damian gave me a wink before walking off.
It gave me a chance to use the men’s room. On my way back to the party, I passed the reception desk and feeling in a particularly good mood, an idea struck me.
“Excuse me,” I said to the man behind the counter.
“Yes, how may I help you?”
I moved closer and lowered my voice as I asked my question.
“Yes, that should be possible,” the man said with a smile.
Five minutes later, I was back at the party, dancing with River and feeling high on life.
“You’re the sexiest man in this room,” River whispered in my ear.
“I’m happy you feel that way.” I squeezed her closer to me with a low growl in her ear.
“I saw you and Damian talking. He’s great, isn’t he?”
“Your whole family has been extremely kind to me. The only one I’m not sure about is Charles. I don’t think he likes me. When I spoke to him, he made a few funny facial expressions.”
“No, that’s not it. Charles has Asperger’s, which makes it hard for him in social situations like these, and he also has Tourette’s, which causes him to have tics. Maximum already approved of you, and the rest of my family trust him, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“Why would they trust Maximum’s opinion more than yours?”
“Because he’s not infatuated by you. Everyone knows that people in love are blind fools.”
“And are you?”
“What? A blind fool?”
“In love?” I’d told her several times that she was loved, but neither of us had declared our love for one another in the three small words that would take our relationship to the next level.
River swayed from side to side in my arms, her body pressed against mine and her hands around my neck. “Of course, I’m in love, but it’s more than that, I think.”
My raised eyebrows encouraged her to go on.
“I’ve had seven months to think about what makes you special, and the amount of respect and admiration I feel for you is real.”
“We’re going to have to dance for a while longer,” I muttered in her ear. “All your talk about respecting and admiring me is hot.”
She leaned her head against my neck, muttering in my ear. “I feel you poking my stomach.”
“If you come with me to our room, I’ll do some serious poking.”
“I’m tempted, but if we go up, I don’t think we’ll come back down, and Kit will only get married once.”
“Me too,” I declared. “So, don’t marry me unless you’re in it for the long haul.”
We were in our own bubble of loving gazes and warm smiles, flirting on the dance floor as we laughed, kissed, and danced through several songs.
After a bit of fresh air, we talked to the others, and I answered more questions about my background and life in Norway.
“Where’s your ark?” Nathan asked at one point.
