“Congratulations,” Sarah said as she gave Samantha a warm hug.
Levi shook his brother’s hand, then leaned over and kissed his sister-in-law on the cheek. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Thanks, man.” Clay met Levi’s gaze, and for a moment, they shared a look that commiserated on how far they’d all come, how much they’d all changed, all because of the right woman in their life. “It just feels right, you know?”
“Yeah, I know,” Levi agreed, because he felt the same way about Sarah.
A toast was made to the newlyweds, then again to Clay and Samantha for their baby news. The atmosphere was festive, and even though there was only a small group of guests attending the wedding, Mason had gone all out with a high-end buffet of food and even a DJ for music. The celebration and happiness was infectious, and later in the evening, when a slow song was playing, Levi escorted Sarah out onto the dance floor and pulled her into his arms.
Like always, she came willingly, cuddling against his chest in the sweetest way possible. She laid her cheek on his chest and tucked her head beneath his chin, her entire body relaxing completely against his as they swayed to the music.
“Are you having a good time?” he murmured into her ear.
She lifted her head and smiled up at him, her face wreathed with joy. “I’m having a great time. I love your family.”
His heart seemed to expand inside his chest. “They love you, too. But not as much as I do, obviously.”
Her eyes twinkled playfully. “Yeah, and how much is that?”
“I love you forever.” And he was about to prove it.
They were at his brother’s dinner reception, surrounded by loved ones, but for right now, Levi kept everything as private as possible, just between the two of them. Letting Sarah go, he moved back a step and withdrew the small black box he’d put into his pants pocket earlier. As soon as she saw it, she gasped and her hand flew to her mouth in shock. He merely smiled and popped open the lid to reveal a sparkling engagement ring he’d had designed just for her. In that magical moment, every anxiety faded, and certainty settled over him.
“Sarah Robins, will you marry me? You make me whole and complete and—”
“Yes!” she said, interrupting him. “I want nothing more than to marry you!”
He pushed the ring on her finger, and it was a perfect fit. Just like she was. Pulling her back into his arms, he kissed her, then whispered in her ear.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” When she gave him a questioning look, he grinned down at her and said, “You’re going to be cuffed to me for life.”
She laughed and hugged him tight. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
Epilogue
Tara Kent cast a quick glance at the small clock behind the bar. Another half hour and Kincaid’s would be open for business. Other employees were gradually arriving for work, and prep for the evening crowd was underway. She checked her liquor inventory and made sure the bins were filled with ice, then set out the garnish trays over at the service area of the bar.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone walk into the bar through the front door that was left unlocked, and she glanced up, expecting to see one of the bar waitresses arriving for her shift. As soon as she caught sight of a man in a business suit, she automatically said, “I’m sorry, but we don’t open until four.”
Then she looked at his face and confusion washed over her. At first glance, the man looked exactly like Clay. The strong, chiseled features were the same, as were the stunning blue eyes and full, sensual lips. She’d always had a crush on her boss, but she’d never acted on it, but damn, she’d never seen him in a suit before—and this one looked like an expensive custom-made number—and he looked sexy as hell.
Heat and awareness settled low and deep in her belly, shocking her. What. The. Hell? Clay was married to Samantha, who Tara absolutely adored, so where had that physical reaction come from to a man who was taken and whom she’d known for the past few years?
She blinked and looked closer, and then she started seeing subtle differences. Not just the high-dollar suit but the cut of this man’s hair was shorter than Clay’s, and the way he carried himself was dynamic and powerful and confident in a way that screamed wealth, intelligence, and success. His shoulders weren’t quite as wide, but he was trim and fit, and she suddenly wanted to know what he looked like beneath the tailored jacket and crisp white shirt he wore.
She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat, and when she finally lifted her gaze to his gorgeous face, she didn’t miss the flicker of amusement in his eyes or the smile playing around the corners of his sensual lips—as if he was in on a secret that she wasn’t. And she suddenly had a feeling she knew what that secret was.
She shook her head and managed, somehow, to gather her wits enough to speak. “You’re not Clay . . . ”
“No, I’m not,” he said in a low, husky voice that made her think of sex and sin, with him. “I’m his twin brother, Jackson Stone.”
Next up: DIRTY SEXY SINNER (Jackson Stone’s story)!
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