Chapter 6 I took a deep breath and used all my strength to shake off Kieran's grip . [ ] He stumbled backward , staring at me in disbelief . [ ] Without sparing him another glance , I walked straight to Dex . ] I took his hand in mine . His fingers instinctively curled up but he didn't pull away . [ ] Holding Dex's hand . I slowly approached him . [ ] Then I stood on my tiptoes and gently pressed a kiss to his lips . [ ] The room immediately fell silent . [ ] " Who says I don't like him ? " ] Dex's eyes trembled violently . [ ] Those usually calm eyes now filled with incredulous surprise . [ ] I almost wanted to laugh . [ ] It was rare to see the always composed and self - controlled Dex so shocked he couldn't even speak . [ ] Kieran's already dark expression now looked black as thunder . [ ] He forced out a cold laugh through clenched teeth : " Fine , Riley . Don't come crying to me later when you regret this . " [ ] He paused , his gaze like a poisoned arrow cutting right through me . ] . " Mara and I will be having our wedding very soon . Even if you change your mind and come begging , it'll be too late ! " [ ] Those words sounded familiar . [ ] Dex had once said something similar to me , warning me not to choose him so I wouldn't regret it later . [ ] But the same words from these two different men carried completely different meanings . [ ] One spoke with humble hope and careful treasuring , afraid I was making the wrong choice and would suffer later . [ ] The other was full of offended rage and resentment , convinced I couldn't survive without him , waiting to watch me fail . [ ] Kieran said nothing more , roughly grabbed the pale - faced Mara , and stormed out of the ballroom . [ ] Mara stumbled as he dragged her along , the triumphant smile still not completely faded from her face . [ ] Only after their figures completely disappeared from the doorway did Dex seem to wake from a dream . [ ] Chapters He looked at me , his voice slightly hoarse : " Riley , am 1 ... drunk ? " [ ] " This isn't all a dream , is it ? " " Did you really ... choose me ? " ] Seeing him like this , my heart softened . [ ] I reached out and gently squeezed his fingertips , letting him feel my presence . [ ] " What about now ? Still feel like a dream ? " ] ] He stepped forward and pulled me tightly into his arms , his chin resting on top of my head , his voice filled with barely contained excitement . [] " This is perfect . You chose me . " [ I leaned into his embrace , breathing in his clean , crisp scent , and the irritation Kieran had caused gradually faded away . [ ] Dex walked me back to my room . [ ] The entire way , he held my hand tightly , as if I might vanish if he loosened his grip even slightly . [ ] At my bedroom door , he stopped and looked at me intently . [ ] " Riley , thank you . " His voice was low and serious . [ ] I raised an eyebrow : " Thank me for what ? " ] " Thank you for ... choosing me . " He paused , then added , " And thank you for giving me a chance . " [ ] " Well , you better not screw it up , " I teased lightly . [ ] He nodded seriously : " I won't . " [ ] That earnest expression made me smile despite myself . A few days later , wedding invitations from Kieran and Mara arrived in my hands . [ ] At the time , Dex and I were dining at a newly opened French restaurant . [ ] When Kieran and Mara appeared , Dex was carefully wiping sauce from the corner of my mouth . [ ] His movements were gentle and natural , as if he'd done it a thousand times before . [ ] My cheeks warmed and I turned away shyly , whispering : " What are you doing ? There are people watching . " [ ] Hearing this , Dex just smiled softly , his eyes filled with indulgent tenderness : " I know . Just let them watch . " [ ] Kieran stood nearby watching this scene , his expression darkening . ]