Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,97
and, at the same time, show her off on his arm.
She filled him with so many emotions he wasn’t sure which he should act on. But that was one of the reasons he loved being with her. She was unpredictable and beautiful, and she stimulated him in so many ways. She was his—and he was most certainly hers.
He started moving forward before he even knew what he was doing. He couldn’t stand to be away from her for even a moment longer. He could only assume his brothers would be doing the same as him.
They stopped in front of each other, their eyes connecting, and all felt right in the world. Tonight would be the night. He had no doubt about it.
“May I have this dance?” he asked. Chloe looked at him with a deep blush on her cheeks that fascinated him. She was confident, there was no doubt, but she was humble as well. He loved every aspect of her personality.
“There’s nothing I’d like more,” she quickly replied.
He took her hand and led her to the floor. The music had barely just begun, but he’d pull her into his arms whether the band was playing or not. He couldn’t bear to not hold her for a second longer. The sigh that fell from her lips as she snuggled against him nearly dropped him to his knees.
They finished the song and kept dancing into the next one. When she leaned back and looked at him, he knew he wasn’t going to spend another night without her. Some might try to tell him to give it more time, but he knew where he was supposed to be.
With her. Always with her.
“You take my breath away,” he told her. They stopped moving, just standing there in the middle of the dance floor, not caring if anyone was looking at them. This moment was for them and only them.
“I can say the same about you. That tux looks pretty dang hot on you,” she said.
“I can clean up okay,” he told her. “Though I definitely prefer my jeans.”
“I prefer my sweats,” she whispered. “But I’ll have to admit it feels nice to get all dressed up once in a while.”
He leaned down and kissed her, unable to stop himself. It seemed he wasn’t able to keep from touching and kissing this woman on a minute-by-minute basis.
“You do realize you’ve completely taken my heart, don’t you?” he asked, pulling her closer.
“That scares me a little,” she finally said.
“Why would it scare you?” he asked.
“Because I’ve never had a successful relationship. What if this fails?” she said. “I grew up knowing everything had to be perfect—everything I did had to be right. What if this all goes wrong? What if it’s too messy or complicated? There are so many people involved. I could fail them all.”
He was quiet for a moment as he looked at her, loving her even more than he had five minutes earlier. She was everything to him. She would be for the rest of his life. He’d help her see that. He’d help her see that even her perceived weaknesses were actually strengths.
“For one thing, you have had two very successful relationships,” he told her as he turned her to look at her two best friends, who were currently dancing with their husbands. “They love you and would die for you. That kind of loyalty isn’t inspired in many people.”
She smiled as she looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. He cupped her cheek. “And for another, I, for one, am glad you haven’t had a lasting relationship with another man, because then you wouldn’t be here with me. You are loyal, passionate, and loving. And the fates have somehow smiled upon me and brought us together. We’ve been together long enough for you to know how in love with you I am,” he said, looking deep in her eyes. “Just look at me, and see if you can find an ounce of deception in my words. I love you. There isn’t anything I won’t do for you—ever. Give us a chance to truly shine together, and let me show you what my love means. Let me show you how messy can be perfect.”
Chloe’s eyes filled the rest of the way, and tears flowed down her cheeks as she gazed at him. Hope sprang into her expression, and he knew he was doing the right thing. It was all about timing and speaking the truth.