Page 80 of My Ex's Brothers

“I just don’t want to lie to myself or to you anymore,” he says softly.

“Dane…”

His gaze holds mine like a prisoner. I couldn’t look away if I tried.

“I never stopped wanting you, Amelia. From the first time I saw you in that stupid bar, I have wanted you.”

His words cut through my skin, muscle, and bone. They settle in my soul. I lose myself in those words. In his eyes.

Because not even Dex spoke to me with such conviction.

Dane’s words aren’t fabricated. They aren’t some practiced line, not smooth talking designed to get me into bed. They are true.

And maybe it’s the alcohol, or maybe it’s that for the first time in a long time, I feel like myself. Here, with Dane in my lap. But the words fall out of their own accord.

“I never stopped wanting you either, Dane,” I say. “You have no idea how many times I wonderedwhat if?” I close my eyes. “What if Dex didn’t show up that night?” My words are a whisper.

Tears beg to build in my eyes, and I don’t want to ruin this.

But I fear I already have.

His hand settles on my jaw as he turns my face to meet his. “Amelia, look at me.”

I open my misty eyes, finding his dark gaze.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder what would have happened if I’d asked you to leave. Right then and there,” he says. “It’s the biggest regret I have.”

“Dane…” My voice falters and I can hear the sob in it.

“Dex isn’t here,” he says softly. He closes his eyes before opening them and I swear this man can see down to my very soul. “But we are, Amelia.”

He kisses me softly and I can’t deny the depth in his kiss.

Dane kisses me like I am the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Like I ameverything.To him.

“We are here,” he breathes against my lips. “I know things are complicated.”

I can’t help but laugh through a faint sob.

“But all I’m asking is for you to give this a chance,” he says, his gaze full of so much love it’s hard to refute.

Dane Rose is in love with me.

He’s been in love with me since that night nearly two years ago.

He never stopped loving me, from afar.

Suddenly all the texts, and the memes, and the little calls make sense. He would have loved me from afar forever, I think. Never breathed a word, because that’s not who Dane is.

He’s honorable. Pragmatic. Loyal.

But he’s right. Dex isn’t here. He was neverhere,in my heart.

I’ve always wanted Dane.

I’ve wanted Dane since that night too. I just didn’t realize it, befuddled by the charisma of a man who looked just like the one I wanted.

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