Page 59 of Relentless Hearts
This was love, real and deep and terrifying.
And for the first time in her life, she was ready to fight for it.
She was sure there were tasks that she could be doing, things that would make this perfect occasion flow even more perfectly, but Willow didn’t move from her spot.
She watched Decker make faces at Navy while the photographer captured candid shots of the wedding party.
She was looking at her future, and it was more beautiful than anything she’d ever dared to imagine.
* * * * *
The restored barn was alive with conversation and laughter, the small gathering of family and close friends creating exactly the kind of celebration Denver and Rhae had wanted.
Decker stood at the edge of the makeshift dance floor, watching Willow laugh at something Honor had whispered in her ear.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
Her deep red gown made her skin glow…and turned her eyes into storm clouds. Locks of hair had come loose from its formal style to frame her face in a way that made his chest tighter.
Seeing her like this, carefree and as sweet as pie, made it seem impossible that she was being stalked. After she told him about a package, he leaped out of bed and found it on the floor of the mudroom.
He took it straight to the Black Heart Security office and opened it with her brothers. The box of chocolates purchased from a store in the neighboring town made fury pound in his veins before they iced over.
Colt paid a visit to the store to see who made the purchase, but the mom and pop business didn’t use security cameras and they only accepted cash so couldn’t track the buyer. Needless to say, they did not give Willow the chocolate and told her the package was something for the security team.
All of this floated through Decker’s head, but the instant the band started playing something slow and romantic, he didn’t hesitate. He crossed to her and extended his hand.
“Dance with me.”
She looked up at him, surprise flickering across her features before melting into something warmer. “I thought you might ask Rhae or one of the other bridesmaids first. You know, be polite.”
“I’m not interested in being polite.” He pulled her into his arms. “I’m interested in dancing with the woman I can’t take my eyes off of.”
She let out a small gasp, either at his words or the way her body fit perfectly against his.
Christ, this felt so damn right. So natural. The scent of her perfume, the way her hand rested on his shoulder as if made for that purpose, the soft brush of her dress against his legs—it all felt like…
Home.
“I’ve been thinking about what comes next.” She spoke so quietly that her voice was almost lost in the music. She met his stare for several throbbing heartbeats. “For us, I mean. And I keep worrying that I’m moving too fast, saying too much. I never planned to get close to you let alone so quickly, but I love talking to you. I love our conversations. I’m glad you’re finally coming out of your shell.”
The vulnerability in her admission made something twist in his chest. “Willow—”
“My brothers didn’t try to run you off,” she continued, looking up at him with those gray eyes that seemed to see straight into his soul. “I thought they would. I thought they’d find some reason to make you stay away from me, but they didn’t. They like you.”
His hand tightened on her waist. “Nothing is going to scare me off. There’s really only been one thing I’ve been afraid of in a really long time.”
“What’s that?”
“Losing you now that I’ve found you.” The truth grated in the words.
“Oh, Decker.”
He dipped his head, drinking in the scent of Willow. The pure, fresh air mixed with her sweet perfume. They swayed to the beat.
“You know why I quit talking the second time?” The question slipped out before he could stop it, but maybe it was time she knew the truth. All of it.
She shook her head, searching his face.
