Epilogue
One year later…
Hawke’s wife took her final bow on stage. Glorious, every inch of her. A year ago, he hadn’t known crap about the world of dance, but a man could learn a lot when he was in love with a ballerina. The audience was on their feet, as was he, so stinkin’ proud that his eyes were a little wet.
Watching her glide across that stage never got old. He was always kind of disappointed when she finished. It was like watching a beautiful dream come alive when she danced.
This was her final performance with the Paris Dance Company. She was coming home for the summer, and then she’d be working with a dance company in Texas where she’d been promoted to prima ballerina, and she’d been so happy. So had he. She’d be much closer to home and would be able to pick the shows she wanted to perform in.
He’d worried she was making the choice because she was worried about him. But he’d done his best to reassure her he was okay with the long-distance relationship they had sometimes. He fucking wasn’t. He hated it. But he’d do anything to make sure her dreams came true. So he soaked her up like sunlight whenever they were together.
“Brava,” the man in front of him yelled. Hawke clapped even harder. Hundreds of bouquets of flowers littered the stage. They loved her here.
He was so fucking proud of her. He couldn’t believe she was giving this up.
He’d been back and forth to Europe so much they could fly around the world at least twice on his miles. He did the traveling because he didn’t want her to be too tired. The first time he’d visited, she’d been in her old apartment with four other dancers. He’d insisted on buying her a small place near the theater where she performed and trained, telling her it was purely selfish so he could have her all to himself when he was in Paris. But he knew she rested better and ate better when she had her own room, kitchen, and food.
In small ways, he looked out for her even when he went home to take care of the business.
But she was coming home. He couldn’t wait. And she was ecstatic. The company in Texas was every bit as prestigious as the one here, and it was an amazing opportunity for a dancer her age.
The curtain closed, and he made his way backstage to her dressing room.
He waited as the other dancers hugged her and the patrons of the ballet paid their respects. It was a wealthy crowd, and even though he was in a suit, he never quite felt like he fit in.
Some familiar faces walked down the hallway. “Hi, son,” his dad said as he hugged him. They were huggers now. Hawke blamed Amy. She was a hugger.
“Hey, Dad and Mom.” His stepmother had insisted he call her that. “I didn’t know you guys would be here.”
Amy’s mom touched a tissue to her nose. “I didn’t want to miss her final performance here. I know how much it’s meant to her.”
“Hey.” She ran up and kissed him. “Have I mentioned how hot you look in a suit?”
“Hello, wife.” He never got tired of calling her that. “You were perfection up there.”
She ran her fingers along his cheek. “You always say that. But it was a good show. Everyone was so wonderful. It was a great ending to my ride here.”
She turned and kissed her mom’s cheek and hugged his dad. “I’m so glad you made it.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” her mom said. “And Hawke is right—you were beautiful, my darling girl.”
“It’s been a good run,” she said wistfully. “And I’ve had an amazing year, dancing three of my all-time favorite roles, but I’m ready to go home.”
Many hours later, she lay atop him, her head on his chest. After performances, she stayed wired for a long time. When he wasn’t here, she’d run on the treadmill.
“You’re my favorite cooldown,” she said, panting just a bit. That had been one hell of a go-round they’d just had. He was feeling it himself. Or maybe it was the jet lag catching up with him.
“Glad I could be of service.” He chuckled. “I missed you,” he said, pushing her hair away from her cheek.
“I missed you, too. But it’s going to be so much better. I’ll be training and working near home. God, I can’t wait to be able to come back to you every night. Well, except when we’re touring. But they promised that will only be twenty days out of the year.”
“You know, none of that matters. I’m happy whenever we can be together. Wherever that might be.”
“You. Are. My. Hero,” she said before kissing him. “I know how lucky I am to have you. I just want you to know that.”
He kissed her. “I was thinking…” he said against her lips.
She pulled back a bit to stare at him. “That always scares me a little.” She laughed.
“Hey, except for that one time, have I ever let you down?”
“Of course not. So, what have you been thinking?”
“That we should get married,” he said the words quickly, curious when she frowned.
“Babe, we’ve been married for a little over a year. Did you forget?” She pushed up on his chest. “Please tell me you didn’t forget.”
“Silly woman. Of course not. My favorite thing is to call you my wife. I think what I meant was renewing our vows. Like maybe on a beach in front of our friends and family.”
She smiled. “Now, that’s definitely one of your better ideas. And when were you thinking of doing this?”
“Soon,” he said. “This time, I want to stand there and show you how much I love you.” His voice was gruff with emotion. “I want them to all know you’re mine.”
“Honey, I’ve been yours since you saw me naked in your pool.” She kissed his chin and then his neck.
“True, but when we got married, it was a business transaction. This time it will be for love.”
She glanced up at him. “How can I say no to that? I’ll marry you over and over again, once a year if you want. Maybe it will remind us of what we have and how special it is. We are not our parents. Though, God, how happy are you that they’ve lasted this long? And my mom seems so happy for the first time in a long time.”
They were. His dad never stopped talking about how wonderful his new wife was. And mother and daughter had repaired their relationship a great deal over the last year.
“Maybe,” he said, pulling her tighter, “we can set an example for them. This is true love. Has been from the moment I saw you. You’re my forever.”
And she was. He would spend the of the rest of his life showing her.
“For a tough motorcycle dude, you’re so romantic.”
“Don’t tell anyone. Wouldn’t want to ruin my street cred.” But anyone who’d seen them together would know.
He was in love with this woman and would be for all eternity.
Did you love this Brazen? Check out more of our steamy titles !
Don’t miss another book by Candace Havens! Sign up for the Brazen newsletter .