Free Cyrus by Kenzie Cox Page B

Katrina. Only he didn’t say anything for a moment while the two of them just looked at each other.
    Finally Katrina broke the silence. “Have a good evening, Chase.”
    “Yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair and added, “You, too.”
    Claire and I watched him go. When he disappeared out the door I muttered, “What an idiot.”
    “What’s that?” Claire asked.
    “Nothing. Let’s dance.”
    A grin blossomed on her face as I guided her to the dance floor and took her in my arms.
    “This isn’t so bad,” she said into my ear.
    I glanced around at the cheesy disco ball, the paper streamers, and the bear shaped balloons. “Only because I have you in my arms. The rest is...well, I hope I’m getting rewarded for this later.”
    “Trust me. You are.” She tightened her hold on me, and I decided if she wanted to go to a dance every weekend, then I was in.
    The music stopped and Elder Greyson climbed the makeshift stage to the podium. “It’s that time of year again,” she said into the microphone. “Time for friends to become lovers and lovers to claim their mates.”
    A cheer went up around the room.
    “Oh, no,” Claire said, tightening her hand around mine. “They aren’t really—”
    “And tonight there’s someone here who would like to make it official.” She glanced around the room until her gaze landed on me. “Mr. Doucet? I believe the stage is yours.”
    I grinned down at Claire.
    “What in the world?”
    “Come on,” I said and tugged her up to the stage.
    She stood slightly behind me, both of her hands holding mine.
    “Hello, everyone. I know it’s unusual to see a Doucet boy at one of these things, but now that Claire’s finally given me the time of day, I didn’t want to miss my opportunity.”
    A happy sigh went up around the room.
    “You see, just about twenty years ago, when my family relocated to this town, we moved in right next door to the Erickson family. And that day, five year old Claire stole my heart. I think somewhere deep down, I always knew she was the one for me. But with adolescence came stupidity, and I feared, due to my reckless actions, that I’d lost my chance with the one person I respected most.”
    “Looks like you finally figured it out, man!” someone called from the crowd.
    “Yeah,” I laughed. “Finally. Two weeks ago, I convinced this lovely lady to give me a chance. Only two weeks and twenty years.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a red velvet box that matched her dress. “And now I’m ready to make it official.”
    Her eyes were wide with shock. “What are you doing?” she whispered. “You know you don’t have to do this.”
    I just grinned at her, my heart swelling with emotion. “Claire Erickson?” I opened the box, revealing a ruby heart surrounded by diamonds. “Will you take me as your mate?”
    She brushed her hands over the red stone and blinked back tears. “You know I decided a long time ago I was never going to give you a chance.”
    I nodded, my grin widening.
    “And you know you suck for ignoring me for all those years. My young five year old heart was crushed.”
    “You’re right. I suck.” I brushed my fingers over her cheek.
    “And now you’re standing up at this ball, making this grand gesture—”
    “Say yes already!” another person called. Laughter filled the dance hall.
    “Well, Claire?” I asked. “How about it?”
    She closed her eyes for just a second, then smiled up at me and whispered, “Yes.”
    “About time!” someone shouted.
    “Kiss her!” another cried.
    “Start the music!” yet another clan member called.
    I clasped the necklace around her neck and then gathered her in my arms. “You’re mine now.”
    “Yours,” she whispered.
    Then I kissed her, once and for all sealing the deal.
    ***
    W ant the next books?
    Book 2: Chase: Black Bear Outlaws
    Book 3: Cole: Black Bear Outlaws
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