“Any girl learning from you would be lucky to have you cheering them on,” his chest vibrates with his words. “Rian was practically glowing after you worked with her. She hasn’t stopped talking about it.”
His words make me feel warm from the inside out. “She’s a quick learner,” I murmur.
“She loves you, you know,” he whispers, his words sincere.
“You should be proud of her; she’s an amazing kid.” My throat is tight, but I mean every word.
“She is.” He brushes some strands of hair away from my face, his eyes warm as he watches me closely. “I want this. You. Her. I want the family I know in my heart we were always meant to have. I know you didn’t give birth to her, but it doesn’t mean you can’t love her too.”
My heart stutters before it starts pounding hard in my chest. All the feelings hit me at once and it’s like I can’t breathe.
“Just give me a chance to show you,” he rasps. His fingertips glide along my skin and it feels like he’s mapping me again. “This weekend,” he swallows hard, his voice strained with worry, “Rian and I are going to Sagebrush.” My eyes widen but he powers on. “It’s to celebrate Rian’s birthday with the family before her party here on the day. Will you come with us? Give me a chance; give us a chance?”
“Okay,” I breathe out without thinking about it.
But as the word lands between us and his entire face lights up with happiness, I know it’s the right answer. Not only for him, but for me too.
“Tell me more about the studio,” he changes the subject, accepting my answer with an ease that makes my heart flutter.
I tell him everything and he hangs on every word as if this is a dream he can step into with me. Maybe he can.
I’ve always been one to take chances and this one might give me the home and family I was always meant to have. I only have my heart to lose.
CHAPTER 9
COWBOY
I look around the space and a feeling of rightness washes over me. It’s the perfect space for Brielle’s studio. Seeing the possibility isn’t difficult and I can almost hear the soft music and the sound of dancers giggling.
Ace lets out a low whistle behind me and I turn toward him slightly. His eyes are wide as he looks around. “Tell me again what this is for?”
“My woman wants to open a dance studio,” I tell him simply.
“And you’re going to do what?”
He looks so confused that I can’t help but chuckle. It’s not like I can really blame him. He’s still young and he’s never met a woman who has stopped him in his tracks. When it happens, I hope I have a front row seat.
Ace is only 22, but he’s been a brother since he turned 18. Prospecting when you’re 17 isn’t usually allowed, but an exception was made for him. He needed a home and a family, and we were more than happy to be what he needed.
We got a brother who is loyal to the club in a way that is almost obsessive. Because we are the only family who has ever made his life better.
“I’m going to give her this building. I’m going to renovate it as quickly as possible,” I tell him. As I look around, I muse, “It shouldn’t take too long. New flooring for sure. A mirrored wall. Safe spaces for people to change and a sound system which can be controlled throughout the entire space.” I put my hands on my waist and blow out a breath. “And a security system that locks this place down.”
Because I will never allow my woman to be in danger. Hell fucking no. Just the thought has my stomach clenching.
“That,” Ace pauses and looks around, “sounds like a lot.”
“It’s not enough,” I fire back without a single ounce of hesitation.
It’s not enough. I wish the space were bigger and could have more than two dance spaces. But this will be a way for her to start, and I don’t want her to be overly anxious with a bigger space. Getting her dream shouldn’t be overwhelming; it should only be exciting.
“She told me how she wants grey toned wood floors with pink accents throughout the room as well as colorful lights lining the dance spaces,” I say the words absently, mentally making the changes in the room instead of worrying about Ace and his opinion.
I head down a short hallway and find the office. The memory of the way her eyes lit up as she was talking about the logos she’s mocked up and her dream of helping young dancers feel free slams into me.
The wall of her office will make the perfect place to put a mural, one filled with the logo, dancers, lights, and color. It would be a source of inspiration on hard days.
Because there will be hard days; there always are.
