Page 100 of From Wink to Kink

RUBY

Chuck's wordsfrom earlier echo in my mind… "I'm tired of pretending I'm not completely, head-over-heels in love with you, Ruby Brooks."

How did I get so lucky?

Actually, the question should be, how didheget so lucky?

Can’t wait to share that with him.

The DJ's voice cuts through my thoughts: "Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Let's get this party started! Everyone, hit the dance floor!"

Before I can even process what's happening, Chuck is standing in front of me, hand outstretched. His eyes are blazing with determination and something else – love, unabashed and unafraid.

"Ruby," he says, his voice low and intense, "dance with me."

It's not a question, not really. It's a declaration, a line in the sand. Is this the moment we stop hiding?

I take his hand without hesitation, a thrill running through me at the contact. As he leads me to the dance floor, I'm acutelyaware of the attention we’re attracting. We're the first ones up, and suddenly, it feels like everyone in the room is holding their breath.

Chuck pulls me close, one hand on my waist, the other still clasping mine. We begin to move to the music, but it's like we're in our own world. I can't take my eyes off him, drinking in every detail of his face like I'm seeing it for the first time.

"Are we really doing this?" I whisper, a mix of excitement and nerves fluttering in my stomach.

His smile is soft but sure. "Yeah, we are. If you want to, that is."

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Of course I want to.

As we dance, I become aware of a low buzz of conversation around us. People are noticing, whispering, pointing. I catch snippets of conversation:

"Is that Chuck Newcomb with Tyler's sister?"

"When did that happen?"

"Oh my god, look how he's looking at her!"

I should feel self-conscious, embarrassed even. But all I feel is a sense of rightness, of coming home. Chuck's arms are strong around me, his eyes never leaving mine, and I know without a doubt that this is where I belong.

"You okay?" he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.

I nod, smiling up at him. "More than okay. You?"

His answering grin is radiant. "Never better."

The song changes to something slower, more intimate. Without breaking eye contact, Chuck pulls me closer, eliminating any remaining space between us. I rest my head on his chest, hearing the steady thump of his heartbeat.

"I love you," I say.

His arms tighten around me. "I love you too, Ruby. More than I ever thought possible."

I lift my head to look at him, and the love I see takes my breath away. Before I can second-guess myself, I rise up to my toes and kiss him.

The world falls away. It's just us, Chuck and Ruby, finally able to show the world how we feel.

When we part, the first thing I notice is the silence. The music is still playing, but the chatter has stopped. I look around and realize that everyone—and I mean everyone—is watching us.

For a moment, panic grips me. What have we done? This is Tyler and Lucy's day. Have we just hijacked it?

But then I see my brother and new sister-in-law. They're standing at the edge of the dance floor, matching grins on their faces. Lucy gives me a thumbs up, while Tyler pretends to gag before breaking into laughter.

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