Page 48 of I Wanna Dance

We moved together. The steps were familiar now, and our bodies fell into a rhythm that felt like second nature. When he spun me out and pulled me back in, I was so close I could feel his breath against my skin.

“Leah,” he whispered, his forehead brushing mine. “I love you.”

I closed my eyes, the words sinking into me like a balm on wounds of the past. “I love you, Marco.”

CHAPTER 24

Marco

Iheld her close as the last notes of the music faded into silence. The room was still except for the faint sound of our breathing. My arms were wrapped around her, her head resting lightly against my shoulder.

Leah stepped back slightly, her blue eyes meeting mine. “By the way, I stood up to Kevin.”

“I heard.”

“How?” she frowned, confused.

“Isabella was at the bar when you told him off. I got the blow-by-blow account.”

She laughed. “I never thought Atlanta was a small town.”

“Good for you.ButI am sorry I ever made you feel like you need to be anything but yourself to be with me.”

“Marco,” she said softly, her voice steady but uncertain. “Let’s let it go, please.”

She had the biggest heart. She wouldn’t be able to hold anything against me for too long, so I had to handle her heart and her trust with care.

“I want to be the man you deserve,” I whispered, my heart full.

“You already are.”

I kissed her forehead. “Not yet, but I’m getting there.”

She studied me, her brow furrowed, her lips pressed together in a way that told me she was turning my words over in her mind.

“I’ve been running scared,” she admitted. “From you, from myself, from the idea that I could ever have this. That I deserve it.”

“I did my share of running. But I’m done running, Leah. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. And I don’t want you to be, either.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she let out a soft, shaky breath. “You make it sound so easy.”

“Because it is.” I kissed her softly, wanting to taste her, feel her. “You know why?”

She waited.

“Because you’re worth it.Weare worth it.”

She looked down. “Do you even know how scared I am?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I can imagine.” My heart ached at the vulnerability in her words, and I knew that I’d do whatever it took to never have her feel this uncertain about us and me again. “I’m scared, too. Every day, I’m terrified of losing you. Of messing this up again. But I’d rather face that fear than live without you.”

Her gaze lifted, and I felt at ease. She was doing what she always did when things became serious; she lightened the mood and let us move forward.

She tilted her head. “So, when do we have this make-up sex I keep hearing about?”

I burst out laughing. Yeah, Leah was my second chance at happiness, and I was a lucky bastard who’d had not one buttwo amazing women in my life. I had treasured Camille, and I’d cherish Leah.

CHAPTER 25

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