The Favor

There were a few awws.

“I first met my wife when she came to work at my company. I thought she was the most stunning creature I’d ever seen, but I have a hands-off policy when it comes to my employees, so I took a while to act on that. During the time she worked as my PA, I came to learn a lot about Vienna. I learned she’s sweet. Loyal. Kind. Caring. Fearless. Honest. So honest she never once hesitated to flip me off or call me an asshole if need be.”

My father muttered, “I can imagine.”

Dane looked down at me. “You once asked if I thought I’d be the same in a relationship as I am in matters of business; if I’d always be pushing for more, never quite satisfied with what I had. The answer is absolutely no. You’re the only person in my life who’s ever made me feel content. The only person I’d ever want to share my life with. And the only person I’d never want to live without.”

Sensing he meant every word, I swallowed hard. My throat felt thick. The bastard was good with words.

He turned back to the guests. “So I’d like everyone to stand and raise a glass to my wife, Vienna.”

They all did, but I only had eyes for him.

“Now I’ll hand you over to Vienna’s father, Simon, and foster father, Wyatt,” he said.

As Dane retook his seat, I leaned into him and smiled. “Dude, that was pretty sweet.”

“It was pure truth.” Dane pressed a kiss to my mouth. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll have to drag you into a dark corner and have my way with you.”

We looked up as Simon and Wyatt stood. They did a speech together, like a damn comedy duo. It was pretty funny, actually. There were smiles, laughs, and the occasional heckle from the other guests.

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.