Page 49 of The Tides Between Us

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

DECLAN

Walking around the ballroom, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how well things turned out. The room was already regal and elegant, but they were able to enhance its features in the most subtle ways. The chandeliers hung above with their sparkling lights. Lighting was altered and set to a lower tone with blue hues dancing throughout the room—the same shade as the ocean. Silverware shimmered from the tables with their massive centerpieces made from orchids, lavender, and baby’s breath.

The golf outing yesterday went off without a hitch. They already had people who signed up for the outing that was canceled, so the small shift in charities was nothing. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a better turnout. And everyone seemed to follow suit to show up to the follow-up event this evening.

Nico and Harper were seated at one table, along with a few other players from the Orchid City Vipers. The professional hockey team's general manager showed up and so did their coach. It was crazy, the different types of people and the amount of money that was walking around the room. I waved to them as I walked past, continuing to do my rounds to make sure things were in order.

Malakai and Winter were at another table. I didn’t recognize the people they were seated with and Kai seemed less than interested in any of them. Winter was talking to another woman next to her who had the same midnight-colored hair. They looked similar and I figured they were related in some way. Kai’s eyes met mine and he nodded in acknowledgment before dragging his bored gaze to the old man talking beside him.

As I came to a stop around the outskirts of the tables, I glanced around the room in amazement. I could not believe the entire place was filled with people. There was a DJ playing music in the far corner and a few people were dancing on the dance floor that was set up. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make this happen for Giana, but together, we all did it.

Turning back around to face the door, I watched as it opened, momentarily frozen in place as Giana stepped through the threshold. The air left my lungs in a slow, tortured breath. Her light pink dress hugged her curves from her chest to her hips before it flowed around her legs, the bottom brushing against the floor. She looked absolutely ethereal. Her hair was long and curled, flowing down her back with two braids on the side, connecting in the back.

Her ocean blue eyes caught mine across the crowd and I watched the amazement in her eyes as her face lit up. She glanced around before focusing solely on me. My feet carried me across the room to her and I didn’t stop until I was directly in front of her. Lifting one hand, I gently caressed her waist. My other slid beneath her chin as I tipped her head backward.

“You look absolutely enchanting,” I murmured for her only, my lips moving for her to read them. “You’re breathtaking.”

“Thank you,”she signed, a soft smile pulling on her lips as she mouthed the words.“This is incredible, Declan. I cannot thank you enough for doing this.”

My gaze was lost in the depths of hers. The music coming from the speakers switched into a slow song void of any lyrics. Just the melody drifting from string instruments. “You can thank me by dancing with me.” I withdrew my hand from her chin and gently wrapped it around hers.

Her eyes searched mine, slightly wide and a little frightened. She shook her head.“Surely there’s another way to show my gratitude.”

I tilted my head to the side. “You don’t want to dance with me?”

Her lips parted and a soft breath escaped her.“It’s not that,”she said, moving her mouth with the words.“I don’t know how to. The music… I can’t hear the melody.”

Her admission damn near broke my heart. I slid my fingers through hers, lacing them together. “Do you trust me?”

Giana nodded.“Yes.”

“Come with me, princess,” I told her as I pulled her along with me. I looked back so she could read my lips. “I’ll take care of you.”

Giana didn’t hesitate as she fell into step beside me. I half expected her to completely turn down the idea, but she surprised me as she moved out onto the dance floor with me. The last thing I wanted was for her to ever feel insecure. I never wanted her to feel like there was something she was unable to do. If there was anyone who could conquer the world, it was Giana Cirone.

Other couples were moving on the dance floor, circling around one another as they swayed to the slow melody filling the room. It was louder than I anticipated and I couldn’t help but smile, knowing we wouldn’t need words. It was almost as if we had our own nonverbal way of communicating. That and reading lips was a game changer.

Giana had taught me so much in the short amount of time I had known her. I never expected someone to change my life quite like she did. She blindsided me. She came out of nowhere and turned my world completely upside down. And I knew then I never wanted it to be the way it was before her again.

I would gladly look at the rest of the world upside down if it meant I could see her right side up.

Leading her toward the middle, we were shielded by others who were dancing around. Giana turned to face me and slowly inched closer as I guided her to my body with my hand. Her steps were deliberately slow, like her insecurities were holding her back. She finally stepped up to me, our feet on either side of one another’s.

I slid my hands around her waist, flattening my palms against her lower back. She lifted her delicate arms, linking her hands behind my neck. “Follow me, princess. Just move your body with mine.” I paused as the music vibrated the floor beneath my feet. It was so loud, echoing throughout the room, I could feel it inside my bones. Cocking my head to the side, I stared down at her. “Can you feel the music?”

She nodded her head as her fingers played with the ends of my hair that touched the collar of my dress shirt.

“Let me guide you and just feel it. Let your other senses take control.”

I began to move my feet, slow and steady, stepping as my body rocked side to side. My hands guided Giana’s hips and she began to sway with me. Her body moved like a weeping willow—undemanding and alluring. I pulled her closer and she wrapped her arms around the tops of my shoulders as she pressed her head to my chest.

There wasn’t anywhere else I would rather be than right here, in this moment, with her.

I knew in my heart I didn’t want to go back to California.

Our surroundings faded away and I held Giana close as we swayed to the entrancing melody of the orchestra playing through the speakers. Her scent invaded my senses. She was everything, consuming me. I was completely captivated and swept away by her. Everyone around us ceased to exist. Giana was the only thing I saw, the only one who truly mattered.

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