“I should ask if you guys are ready?” All three of them had gotten certified to marry Ruby and me. Ruby and I didn’t want a church wedding. When she’d first gotten a glimpse of the lake, she’d immediately gushed about how the area would be a perfect spot for a wedding. I couldn’t have agreed with her more.
The lake symbolized so much for our family. From the small, carved-out area across the lake, which honored my late sister, to parties, bonfires, the boathouse turned man-cave, turned funhouse, then back into Kody’s apartment, and finally to a place that brought our family together.
Kelton whipped out a small piece of paper from his black pants. The attire for the wedding was simple—no tuxedos or elegant dresses. For the men, black pants and a white button-down shirt. The women had decided on sundresses, although I had no idea what Ruby would be wearing. She’d mentioned that she didn’t want an elaborate wedding dress, but she did want something pretty.
“You didn’t memorize your lines?” I asked Kelton with a smirk.
“I did, but I just thought of something I wanted to add,” he said.
After our vows, we’d planned on a small dinner with everyone, then Ruby and I were off to spend two weeks in Turks and Caicos. I couldn’t wait to get her all to myself for two long weeks. Alone time with her was hard to come by with our schedules. But living in the same building as Kelton, Kade, and Lizzie meant that we practically had live-in babysitters. Lizzie always jumped at the chance to take Raven for the night.
I tossed a look over my shoulder. “Is Dillon here yet?” Since my brothers were marrying us, I’d asked Dillon to be my best man. Just as I was turning my head back, Dillon appeared from around the garage, decked out in the same style of clothes as the rest of us.
His hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and for once, he’d shaven the scruff from his jaw. He smiled as he came over to join us. “Man, wait until you see your bride. You’re one lucky bastard.”
Mom, Lacey, Lizzie, and Norma had kicked me out of the house, which was cool with me. I’d wanted some alone time anyway, mainly to quell the butterflies I had. Regardless, when Dillon said “bride,” those butterflies fluttered wildly inside of me.
Voices peppered the air as Lizzie, Lacey, and Norma made their way down to the lake. The ladies were dressed in sleeveless yellow sundresses. Yellow was Raven’s favorite color. I smirked when my gaze landed on their feet. They were all wearing flip-flops.
“Do you like our shoes?” Norma asked as her shoulder-length blond hair blew in the breeze. In the last five months, she’d grown out her pixie style and had gained about ten pounds, making her look curvier and healthier.
All of us men laughed.
Lizzie lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek before she pinned me with her gray eyes. “Make sure you don’t drool.”
I pinched my eyebrows together.
“Don’t listen to her,” Lacey said. “Your mouth better be hanging open when you see your bride.” She giggled, her green eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun. “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for you. I always thought Kade and I would be the first ones to tie the knot, but I’m glad we’re not.”
Kade reached out to grab her hand.
I swung my gaze from Kade to Lacey. “Why is that?”
“Too much pressure,” Kade and Lacey said in unison then laughed.
“Bro,” Kade said. “I’ve been the older brother with the spotlight seemingly on me to do everything first. Marriage, grandbabies, blah, blah, blah. But with Raven, and now your nuptials, Lacey and I can breathe. We are so fucking happy for you.”
“You know that won’t last long,” Kody piped in. “Mom will be asking when you two will be tying the knot. Or even Kelton and Lizzie.”
“Let’s talk about you, man,” I said to Kody. “Mom and Dad will be on your back, asking when you’re going to find a steady girlfriend.” He’d only taken out our former teacher, Ms. Sharp, a couple of times, but it wasn’t serious.
He grinned like an ass. “When I’m ready.”
“Oh, yeah. How’s the older women pool looking?” I teased.
Everyone quieted before Dillon spoke. “Older women know what they want.”
Norma lightly punched him. “Hey, don’t judge. Us younger gals are just as good.”
Norma had a thing for Dillon, and although I hadn’t seen him with any women for as long as I’d known him, I knew Norma was definitely his type, especially with her blond hair.
Liam came running down. His brown hair was slicked back, almost sticking to his head. He’d accompanied me on some of my boxing matches when he could. Behind him, Jay strutted leisurely down.
“It’s time,” Liam said. “Your mom said to get into positions.”
Mom stood near the garage, holding Raven’s hand. Mom’s hair was tied up into an up-do of sorts, and she was wearing a light-blue sundress. Raven had the same hairstyle and wore a yellow and white polka dot sundress. They both had flip-flops on too, sporting smiles.
My brothers scrambled into position with their backs to the lake. Dillon sidled up to me on one side, and Norma stood on my other side since she was the maid of honor. Coach, Liam, Lizzie, and Lacey all found spots behind me.
Dillon tapped me on the arm. “Turn this way.”
I did and found my mom slowly walking down while Raven plucked flower petals from the small wicker basket she was holding and sprinkled them in front of her. Liam began filming the ceremony with my cell phone. Lizzie and Lacey were snapping pictures with theirs.
My heartbeat rammed and pounded against my chest as I kept switching my gaze between my mom and my little girl to the garage, where at any moment, my beautiful bride would emerge. Dad was giving her away. Ruby had cried last night, sad that her mom and dad couldn’t be there. At least we would be able to send the video and pictures to her parents in jail.
When Mom and Raven were halfway between the garage and me, Dad and Ruby made their entrance. I faltered where I stood.
“Easy, dude,” Dillon said as he grasped my elbow.
“I can’t breathe, man,” I whispered. I couldn’t get enough oxygen in my lungs.
Ruby wore a strapless, cream-colored dress that hugged her body and draped to her toes. Her auburn hair was pulled up in a messy style with wisps of hair framing her delicate features. She smiled, and my chest clenched. That fucking smile was what had snagged me back in high school. Only now, it did more than snag me. My entire body was on fire.
As Ruby glided down like the angel she was, Raven tugged on my hand, breaking my concentration. It was probably a good thing since my groin had a mind of its own.
I met her dark-blue eyes. “Yes, bumblebee?”
“I love you, Daddy.”
I swayed then smiled at the beautiful girl I’d created. It was still mind-blowing that I was actually a father.
“As big as the universe?” I asked.
“Bigger,” she cooed then stepped behind me to hold my mom’s hand.
Ruby and Dad then settled in front of me. Dad hugged me. “I’m so fucking proud of you,” he said in my ear. “Treat her with the utmost respect.”
Tears stung my eyes. I wasn’t going to make it through this ceremony.
He joined my mom as Ruby hooked her arm with mine.
I ogled my stunning bride as she flashed her big blue-green eyes at me. We turned to Kade, Kody, and Kelton, both of us trembling.
Kade began. “Marriage may be the union of two people, but in my book, it is the union of family, growth, happiness, and a deep sense of love for each other, no matter the circumstances. Never forget that family is the most important thing in life.”
Ruby and I squeezed hands as Kelton spoke. “Love grabs your heart. Love tickles your soul. Love is family. Love is friends. Most of all”—he glanced past us to no doubt Lizzie then back to us—“love is never-ending. Embrace life with love and respect, and never, ever lose sight of family.”
A tear slid down Ruby’s cheek.
Kody took over. “Today, my heart is filled with more love than I knew possible. I never imagined any of us getting married. Heck, it felt like yesterday when we were ten years old and causing trouble with girls. Now my brother has a family. I echo what Kade and Kelton said with one addition. Go and make more babies.”
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. I figured Kody would’ve written us a song. But his sentiment was so much better. Regardless, Ruby and I weren’t ready for another just yet. Our plan was to wait a year before we tried for another kid. We wanted Raven to have a sibling or two. Hell, I wouldn’t mind having a boy.
Everyone laughed.
“Now your vows,” Kade said.
Ruby and I turned to face each other.
She peered up at me with so much love in her eyes. “Kross Maxwell, thank you for being persistent in your pursuit to find me. I’ve never stopped thinking about you since the day we met at the academy. While I’m sad that we lost four years, I’m also beyond happy that we did. I believe we’re that much stronger as a couple and as a family. I want lots of babies with you. I want to grow old with you. More than anything, I love you as big as the universe.” She gave me one of her shy looks.
Yep, the blood was flowing heavily south.
I licked my lips as I searched her face. I didn’t agonize over my vows. I knew exactly what I wanted to say. Nevertheless, I took in a deep breath of fresh air. “Star light. Star bright. You’re the only star I see tonight. I wish I may. I wish I might. You’re the only one I wish tonight. You’re my angel, and I want to dance under the stars with you until death do us part.” I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Naked that is.”
She shivered.
When I retreated, my brothers spoke in unison. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
They had barely said “wife” when Ruby grabbed my face, plunged her tongue into mouth, and kissed me as though I was her last breath. I knew she was mine. Fireworks went off in my chest, my heart, and everywhere else in me. Our lives had just begun.
Dear Reader
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read Dare to Dance. I hope you enjoyed Kross and Ruby’s story. For me, it was the most emotional book to write. Several plot elements in this book are based on true events that have happened to me when I was young. I experienced some of Ruby’s challenges of being homeless, albeit for a very brief time. But that one time led me to a man much like Trent. Thankfully, I was like Ruby and got the hell out of there. However, I didn’t have a night in shining armor. Instead, I joined the military the very next day. I was also Raven. My mom died when I was a baby, and my dad dropped into a deep depression. So I ended up in foster care for many years until my dad got his act together. I struggled through my childhood and young adult years. Everyday, I thank God for watching over me. I’m grateful for the extended family I had who supported me, the friends who stood by me, and for the military who showed me the discipline to make it on my own. My heart goes out to all the homeless and foster kids out there. Never give up.
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With love
Susan
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P.S. When you have moment, a short review would be greatly appreciated. Your help in sharing this wonderful story would mean the world to me.
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Want more books by S.B. Alexander?
To read samples and find out where to purchase all books visit: http://sbalexander.com/books
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The Maxwell Series:
Dare to Kiss – Book 1
Dare to Dream – Book 2
Dare to Love – Book 3
The Maxwell Series Boxed Set – Books 1-3
Dare to Kiss Coloring Book Companion
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The Vampire SEAL Series:
On the Edge of Humanity – Book 1
On the Edge of Eternity – Book 2
On the Edge of Destiny – Book 3
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I want to thank my fans, readers and bloggers. Without you guys I wouldn’t be writing. You motivate me, you support me, and you encourage me. I’m humbled by all the reviews and messages I’ve received along the way. Hugs and kisses to each and every one of you for taking the time to take this journey with me and sharing your excitement.
To everyone in Maxwell Mania, I love the crap out of you. Thank you for loving the series, and the Maxwell boys. Most of all, thank you for spreading the word on the Maxwell Series.
The team at Red Adept Publishing is without a doubt the best editing team in the industry. Lynn, Alyssa, and Neila, thank you.
I can’t say enough about Streetlight Graphics and for my amazing covers. Love you guys.
Marketing a book is one of the hardest aspects for an author, and I’m so lucky and overjoyed that I met Marissa at JKS Communications. She had a vision for Dare to Kiss, and she has an even bigger vision for the future of my books. To Marissa, Angelle and the entire team at JKS, thank you for your insight, creativity, and dedication in helping me get the word out to readers around the world.
The publishing industry changes constantly, and without Katey Coffing’s inspiration and coaching I wouldn’t have come this far without her. Love you, girl.
Wendy Kupinewicz, you are a superb lady, a great friend, and poet. The poem in the Prologue you’ve written is perfect. Much love and thanks.
Kylie Sharp, thank you for all your support, feedback and advice. Love you.
Tracy Hope, you are my super fan. You’ve read my drafts and every line I’ve ever written, even when it was rewritten fifteen times. You’re honest in your feedback when something isn’t working. You kick me in the butt when I need it. And you’ve brought my books to life with your creative vision and superb producing skills of my book trailers. Love and hugs!
Finally, to my main squeeze, Bill, you have my heart! Love, love, love you.
Dare to Dance Playlist
“Dancing On My Own” by Calum Scott
“In The Dark” by 3 Doors Down
“Let Your Tears Fall” by Kelly Clarkson
“The Fighter” by Keith Urban
“Here Without You” 3 Doors Down
“Out Of My Head” by Theory of a Deadman
“We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” by Ella Eyre
“Heart Of A Champion” by Nelly
“Collide” by Howie Day
“Careless Whisper” by Seether
“Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer
“Tightrope” by Kelly Clarkson
“Whiskey And You” by Chris Stapleton
“Waiting for Superman” by Daughtry
“Over You” by Daughtry
“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars
“Stay” by Rihanna
“In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride
Dare to Dance Page 29