Izzy and Xavier were in his basement theater room, snuggling on the couch. With his musky scent and strong arms surrounding her, she couldn’t imagine ever being happier. The music came on at the end of Dirty Dancing, and she sighed, content and happy.

Xavier stood and held out his hands. “Would you like to dance?”

Izzy placed both of her hands in his and let him tug her up. They moved away from the couch and ottoman, and he cradled her hand against his chest and wrapped his other arm around the small of her back. They swayed back and forth for a little while. Then Xavier surprised her, swinging her out then back into his chest. She laughed as she bumped against him.

“Hey, that was just like the movie,” he said.

“You want to recreate more of the movie?” Her heart beat a little faster.

“Oh, yes, ma’am. Now that I’ve watched it a few dozen times, I can do every move Johnny tried to do.”

“A few dozen.” She scoffed. “Twice, you’ve watched it twice.”

“True, but I still say you do that lay back swoopy move way better than Baby.”

Izzy laughed again as Xavier wrapped his hands around her waist and whispered, “Please.”

How could she resist that? She leaned back and swooped a low circle back bend. When she came back up to face him, he grinned and picked her up off her feet and above his head. Her stomach leapt and she laughed happily. She almost touched the ceiling as she straightened her body, and he spun a slow circle. The next part was her favorite as he lowered her until she was flush against him.

She put a hand on his face, touching one of his dimples. “Man, I love these things.”

Xavier bent and kissed her softly. “Man, I love these things.”

Izzy stood on tiptoes and returned the kiss. Joy, safety, and desire encompassed her as his lips tenderly caressed hers. When he deepened the kiss, she couldn’t help but moan as pleasure receptors went off all over her body. She wrapped her hands around his neck and held on.

A stream of water hit her square in the face. Izzy cried out, and Xavier quickly tried to shelter her with his body, but the water was coming from every direction. Ace, Kade, and Brody each had a water gun and were dousing them. She suspected Brody’s little brothers were somewhere joining in the attack, but she couldn’t see them as she blinked to try to clear her eyes then got hit in the face again.

Xavier growled and ran at Kade first, ripping the gun from his hands and then turning it on Ace. They all laughed like a bunch of little boys. Seconds later, everyone but Xavier scampered toward the stairs, their assault successful. A door slammed upstairs, and they were gone.

Izzy stood there, dripping. Xavier turned to her, water streaming down his face. “I’m sorry. They’re a bunch of crazy idiots.”

Laughter bubbled out of Izzy. Xavier chuckled too, wiping his face with his hand.

“You’ve got to admit that was pretty funny.”

“It was.” He hurried to the bathroom and returned with a couple of towels. Izzy wiped her face and arms. There was no hope for drying her shirt.

Xavier dropped his towel on the couch and turned to her. Her pulse skyrocketed at the intent look in his eyes. “It would’ve been funny if they hadn’t interrupted the best part of my day.”

“Oh? And how can you call it the best when you do it several dozen times a day.”

“Ah! That’s not fair. I’m lucky to get as much kissing in as the number of times you claim I’ve watched Dirty Dancing.”

He reached her and trailed a hand down her face and along her arm, taking her hand in his and whirling her around so she was facing away from him. He lifted her arm up and then trailed his fingers down the side of her abdomen.

Izzy shivered, trickles of pleasure washing over her. “I think you’ve watched Dirty Dancing plenty.”

He bent down. “As long as you don’t claim I’ve kissed you plenty.”

“Never.”

Xavier kissed her cheek tenderly then pulled a small box out of his pocket and held it out in front of her.

Izzy gasped. He opened the red velvet box, revealing an exquisite tear drop diamond set against white gold. Izzy fell in love all over again.

“If I give you this, do I get to kiss you any time I want to?” Xavier asked in a low, husky tone.

“I think you have to get brave enough to pop the question first.”

Xavier spun her to face him, staring down at her. “I don’t know if I’m that brave.”

“My father claims you’re fearless on the field and off.”

Xavier chuckled. “Well, he’s kind of a big fan of mine.”

“His daughter’s a bigger fan. Wait. Did you already ask him for my hand?”

“Yes.” He grinned, and his beautiful dimples were on fine display.

“And?”

“And he gave me his blessing and forced me to sign a sixty-eight million dollar contract.”

Izzy had heard all about how they’d also confronted Xavier’s agent together and with the commissioner listening in. Neil would never work in the entertainment industry again.

Izzy arched her eyebrows. “Guess he wants to make sure you can take care of his little girl.”

“Oh, I can take care of her all right.” He bent his head and claimed her lips with his until her heart was thrumming in her neck. “Izzy?” he whispered against her lips.

“Yes?” she whispered back.

“Marry me, and make me the happiest man on the planet?”

She smiled. “I didn’t realize you’d turn this into a cheese fest.”

He chuckled. “Marry me, and I will worship you for all eternity.”

“Oh, brother. Give me the ring.”

Xavier pulled it out of the box and slid it onto her finger. She smiled up at him. “I love you, X. Marry me, and I’ll teach you moves that put Johnny and Baby to shame.”

“Now, that sounds like a plan.” He lifted her off her feet and swung her in a circle. Then he set her back down and kissed her. The kiss was tender and slow, yet her lips sung with the passion and excitement of his touch. Izzy was going to plan a very short engagement, but at this moment, all she could focus on was their connection. His strong arms surrounded her, and his lips eradicated all rational thought. She was transported to heaven with Xavier and knew her father had been right about his name. He could win any battle but longed for a wife and family and a world that wasn’t exploding. She would give him her all, and he’d give her even more in return—true joy and him by her side.