Page 108 of Shattered Oaths

“And do I?” I ask Killian, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

He’s quiet for a minute, and I glance out of the window in hopes of seeing the barn coming into view. I’ve known this man all my life and for the first time ever, I’m afraid of what he might say next.

I hold my breath, watching as he thinks his answer over. I have no doubt that he’s taking his time just to fuck with my emotions, but it’s the least I deserve, so I say nothing.

“Yes,” he finally says and I sigh in relief.

It wouldn’t have mattered either way. I’d marry her with or without his blessing and I tell him just that. “You know I didn’t need it, right? I’m gonna marry her anyway. If she’ll have me, that is.”

“Good,” Killian says, taking me by surprise once again. “But if you ever pull shit like that again, you’ll get more than a punch to your jaw next time.”

I dip my chin. “Duly noted.”

“Well, I’m so glad we got that cleared up. Can I go get married now?” Hunter says, turning to look at us over his shoulder and we both laugh, nodding our heads before climbing out of the truck and following him into the barn.

***

The dance floor is busy with couples as they sway along to the slow song playing over the speakers. Hunter and Savannah are in the very centre, while my parents, Mr and Mrs Wilde, Killian, Gray, Liv and Daisy surround them, all holding each other close.

I scan the crowd for the blonde wearing a pale pink dress and come up empty.

The first person I had looked for when the DJ invited all of the couples up to join the newlyweds was Bella, but it seems she’s scurried off somewhere to avoid this very moment.

I remove my cowboy hat and place it on the table, my eyes doing another sweep of the room, this time finding her leaning against the bar, her back to me as she places her order with the member of staff my parents hired for this evening.

With a new sense of determination, I stride across the room and slide in next to her, my hand finding her hip. “Are you avoiding me, babybell?” I ask, my voice low against her ear.

To my absolute delight, a shiver wracks the entire length of her body, and I smirk against her skin.

“No,” she breathes, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.

“Are you sure?” I move a piece of hair off her neck and let my fingers brush the skin there.

She spins, her face lining up with mine, and by the way her eyes widen slightly and her breath catches, she didn’t realise how close I was standing. “Positive.”

“Hmm,” I hum, amused. “Dance with me, Bells.”

“Why?” she asks, blinking up at me in a way that tells me she wants me to work for it.

“Why not?” I counter.

I don’t think she realises that she does it, but she moves closer, her nose almost touching mine. “I don’t like dancing.”

“Liar.” I smirk, my hands finding the dips in her hips.

“Maybe I just don’t want to dance with you.” She lies again.

“If that were true, you wouldn’t be doing it already,” I say and it’s then that she looks down and realises that she is in fact swaying to the music in my hold.

Her brows furrow slightly, cheeks tinting pink and I lift her chin, my thumb swiping over her bottom lip. “One dance.”

I watch as she goes to war with herself in her mind. I can see her internal argument playing out behind the grey in her eyes. She wants to dance with me, but in doing so she thinks she’s giving in.

But she gave in the moment she let me kiss her in the forest. I felt it in the way she sighed against my lips and the way her mouth chased mine when I pulled away. She just hasn’t admitted it to herself yet.

“One dance.” She agrees and I can’t stop myself from smiling widely down at her.

With her hand in mine, I lead us toward the dance floor as we join the rest of our friends and family. Bella’s arms come around my neck, her head resting on my chest and I pull her body flush against mine as we sway to the rest of the song.