Kent also made a speech, which I wasn’t expecting. It was short and sweet. No mention of dysfunctional family dynamics, Dane’s old sex life, or any other awkward topics. As such, I was happy with it.
My stomach hardened when Travis grabbed his glass and went to stand. But his cousin put a hand on the asshole’s shoulder and hissed something in his ear. Travis’s mouth tightened, but he settled back into his chair. I breathed a sigh of relief. Bullet dodged.
When it came time for “the first dance,” Dane and I made our way to the make-shift dance floor. He kept me flush against him, just like he had at the gala all those months ago, as we gently swayed to the song the band so expertly played.
“Are you good?” he asked, his hand splayed on my back, his thumb brushing over the ribbon of my corset.
“Yeah, just bloated after that huge meal. I’m surprised I’m not bursting out of this dress.”
His eyes heated. “You’ll be out of it later. I’m still not sure if it’ll be before or after I’ve fucked you.”
“Either is good with me.” I snuggled closer to him. My lips parted when I realized he was rock hard. “My, my, my, that’s a whole lot of quarters you’re carrying in your pants right now.”
“It’s agonizing to know that with one tug on this ribbon, I can loosen that corset and have instant access to those pretty breasts.”
“It’s supposed to be agonizing for you.”
He put his mouth to my ear. “My good girl’s being bad, is she?”
I shivered at the feel of his breath on my earlobe. “You can punish me for it later.”
“Don’t think I won’t.”
Soon, the song reached its end. I would have headed straight back to my seat if Simon hadn’t waylaid me and insisted on a dance. I chuckled when I saw that Melinda had done the same to Dane.
It didn’t take long for the dance floor to fill up. Squealing kids ran in circles around the dancers and skidded on their knees, including Junior.
It wasn’t until I’d danced with both Wyatt and Kent that I finally got the chance to return to my table and have a swig of my drink. I’d no sooner put down my glass than Ashley dragged me back on the dance floor.
A few songs later, Dane took my hand and led me over to his extended family, wanting me to have the opportunity to get to know them a little. I’d initially wondered if they would be as snobbish as Hope and Jen, but I quickly realized that they were very down to Earth.
After that, Dane and I walked from table to table, taking the time to briefly chat with our guests. I’d never received so many hugs or posed for so many photos. I’d smiled so often my jaw ached.
I wasn’t so distracted that I didn’t notice Travis having a few accidents. He knocked over a bottle of champagne, dropped a wine glass on the dance floor, tipped over a bowl of candy, and crashed into an elderly couple. I wasn’t sure if he was wasted or just acting up like the precious little man child he was.
Standing at my table having yet another drink, I smiled when Ashley and Tucker approached. “Hey, you two. Enjoying yourselves?”
“I have a full bowl of candy to myself, what’s not to like?” asked Ashley, clearly a little buzzed, cuddling the bowl to her chest like it was a newborn baby. “Melinda’s sure enjoying herself.” She gestured at my foster mother, who’d kicked off her heels and was dancing with her sisters, Hanna, and Junior.
“It would appear so,” I said.
“Who are those guys?” Tucker asked me, pointing at two men who were breakdancing and appeared to believe they were a lot better at it than they truly were.
“Dane’s cousins-by-marriage. You sure do look handsome in that suit, Tucker.”
Wearing a cocky smile, he adjusted his tie. “Well, I do try. I wore this suit for Ash’s sister’s wedding. The annoying one who calls me Tucky and hasn’t sensed that I don’t like it. The woman’s not the brightest bulb, so it’s a good thing for her that she’s pretty.”
Ashley’s head snapped up. “You think my sister’s pretty?”
Tucker stilled. “What?”
She rounded on him, her hand on her hip, her jaw hard. “You’re hot for my sister? That’s what you’re saying?”
He jerked back. “I didn’t say that.”
“But you have a thing for her, don’t you? God, I can’t believe I didn’t