I hugged his neck. We stayed glued together for several beats. He finally drew back a little and spun me toward the edge of the floor and into Seb’s waiting arms.
Seb danced far nimbler than Hunter, unsurprisingly, and we had fun doing the tango, him twirling me every third or fourth step—and vice versa, as we both laughed. On a particularly ambitious twirl, my high heel slipped, and I crashed into his chest, both of us heaving with giggles.
“Careful, beautiful,” he took my face in his hands.
“Me? You don’t know your new strength,” I teased, swatting his chest.
“Yeah, but you’re the one who made me stronger.”
“Maybe,” I said.
I almost added that Ceci seemed to think so, but he said, “No, I know. It’s in all the great stories.” His eyes dipped, bashful, to my mouth and then seemed to force themselves back to my gaze. “True love makes you stronger,” he murmured.
My heart somersaulted, unsure where it wanted to be pulled. Butterflies erupted in my stomach even as my brain screamed,I can’t.It won’t work.
“Seb, I…”
He shook his head. “There’s still no pressure. And…” He licked his lips and started again. “And maybe I’m not your true love. But I know you’re mine. So, I’ll be whatever you need me to be to you. Just say the word.”
I played with his collar, fingers stroking his neck. “I promise I’ll give you a better answer when I’m not so dizzy, but right now, I just want you to kiss me.”
He smiled and drew me in, hands still tenderly holding my head, slipping back to intwine in my hair.
As our mouths moved together, deepening the kiss intosomething usually reserved for secret corners or exhibitionist fantasies I never thought I’d live out, his voice spoke in my head.
There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here with you.
I wrapped my arms around his strong back and pressed him closer to me.There’s nothing that you don’t make better by being there. And don’t tell Hunter, but this was the best dance I’ve ever had.
He drew back, cobalt eyes bright as he drank in my face, beaming. Dropping a hand to my lower back and taking up my hand, he started moving us around the floor again.Don’t give an award for best dancer yet,he joked. If Dagger’s won big, I dread to think what he’ll come up with. The goddamn chicken dance, probably.
I laughed out loud at the image.
Hunter’s welcome palm cupped my elbow, as he said with a loud voice to make it past the booming music, “Hey, sorry to interrupt. Nature calls. I’ll be back before you know it though. The grizzlies are still watching. But Seb, you’re on bodyguard duty. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
I rubbed Hunter’s hand. “Take your time. I didn’t forget my promise. Don’t’ forget yours. Maybe play a hand of something on your way back.”
“It’s not fun if you don’t come with me. I’ll be back.” He kissed my forehead and strode off the dance floor into the mingling throngs.
Seb and I went back to our fun, this time with a haphazard attempt at the paso doble. I thought I’d die laugh—
“I do beg your pardon. You seem to be having such a marvelous time. Do you mind if I cut in?”
I turned to be met by a Fae guy with movie star looks and captivating blue eyes. His accent and effortless gentlemanlike conduct reminded me of Osric, though instead of blond, this guy’s groomed, wavy locks had a distinctive copper color, halfway between orange and red. He had to be royalty, although I hadn’t seen him at the viscountess’s funeral.
“I’m sorry, but she’s not—”
“It’s okay, Seb,” I cut in, offering a hand to the newcomer. He had a kind, warm smile that lit his blue eyes like fresh cut sapphires. “There’s no harm in one dance. Just stay close.”
Seb kept a firm grip on my other hand. “I don’t know. Maybe after Hunter comes back if he says it’s all right then—”
The Fae rested a friendly palm on Seb’s shoulder and smiled. “Hunter doesn’t have to give permission. You’re equal to him. There’s nothing to worry about. You should wait patiently, ask another lady to dance.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. Hunter doesn’t have to give permission,” Seb said. “I’m equal to him. There’s nothing to worry about. I should wait patiently, ask another lady to dance.”
I nodded and gave Seb a reassuring smile before he wandered off toward a partnerless woman swaying to the beat at the edge of the dancefloor.
Jealousy stabbed my gut when he bowed to her like a gentleman in a movie, extending a hand.
