Page 100 of My Real Love Affair

“What?” I asked, realizing I had been drifting a bit.

“I. See. You.”

I was pretty sure those were the three most beautiful words in the world. Okay, there were probably a few combinations of three words that were really good, but those did it for me.

I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“I have since that first kiss at the wedding. Since you looked at me like I was more than just my last name.”

Other couples danced nearby, but I barely noticed them. There was just Austin, looking at me like I was something precious.

He leaned in, and I felt his lips brush my cheek. Gentle. Almost reverent.

It wasn’t enough. I wanted so much more.

“There are enough people looking,” I whispered, turning my face toward his. “You can kiss me for real. Your whole family is watching.”

His brow furrowed, and for a moment I thought I said something wrong. Pushed too hard. Made this about the optics when it should be about us. He was giving me vulnerable, and I just made it all about our arrangement.

“Melody—” he started.

But I didn’t let him finish. I was the one that closed the distance between us, pressing my lips to his. And he kissed me back.

I knew it wasn’t for show. Neither of us cared about the cameras or the gossip or the family watching. He kissed me like he’d been waiting for this moment. Like he’d been thinking about it as much as I had.

At least, I hoped that’s what he was thinking. I was.

His hand moved from my waist to cup the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair. His other hand tightened onmine. And suddenly we weren’t dancing anymore. We were just standing there in the middle of the ballroom, kissing like we were the only two people in the world.

Everything else faded. All of it disappeared until there was just Austin’s lips on mine, his hands holding me close.

I melted into him, letting him pull me closer, and for the first time since I’d arrived at this overwhelming event, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

CHAPTER 31

AUSTIN

I’d completely forgotten this was supposed to be anything other than exactly what it was.

Melody in my arms and laughing at something I had said felt right. She was looking at me like I was someone worth her time and affection. Maybe one day, I would even be worth her trust.

There were no contracts here. No arrangements. There was just us. And I would never get tired of how beautiful she looked when she smiled at me.

I had thought she was gorgeous from the first moment I saw her at Sophie’s wedding, but tonight she was radiant. The gold dress caught every light, making her seem to glow. Her hair had started the evening in careful waves but was now slightly mussed from dancing, a few strands escaping to frame her face. Her makeup was smudged at the corners of her eyes from laughing so hard at one of Kent’s stories.

She looked perfect.

“Come on,” I said, taking her hand as the band transitioned to something slower. “I want to show you something.”

“Show me what?”

“Trust me.”

I led her off the dance floor, past my family—who were all watching us with varying expressions of amusement and approval. I knew what Kent thought I was doing, but I wasn’t. I had no intention of dragging her upstairs for a little fun. But damn, that was a good idea.

I led her out of the ballroom. She followed without hesitation. “Austin, where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” I led her through the hotel’s marble corridors.