That made her feel good all over. “Maybe I should thank good ol’ Dr. Rhys, because the night I went out with him changed everything for me, too. When I was getting dressed for our date, I remember thinking that after too many years of just surviving, I had finally found myself. I had a good life, and I was ready for something more. That was huge for me. Two years ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get back on my feet, much less be ready to trust someone enough to get close to them. I was proud of how far I’d come. I didn’t need a man. I was happy with my friends, my job. I was working out and getting stronger. I was happy with who I was.” She ran her finger absently over his chest as she spoke. “And that attack could have sent me spiraling backward. But you were there, reminding me not to let them break me.” As she said it, something dawned on her. “It’s no wonder the night I went out with Damon I kept wishing you were my something else. I was wrong about thanking him. You’re the one who deserves the gratitude. You gave me the courage to go after what I really wanted, not him. You’re the reason I walked through that clubhouse door to give you a piece of my mind, and you’re the reason I ended up giving you my heart.”

He arched a brow. “Because I pissed you off?”

“Yes, but you also turned me on. You’ve taken my good life and made it great. Even if you did screw me out of being asked to dance for the first time in my life.”

His jaw clenched. “You wanted to dance with Rhys?”

“I wanted to dance with you, but you were so intent on scaring him off, you didn’t even notice.”

“I’ll be right back.” He stepped off the bed and picked up his phone, turning his back to her. He set the phone on the nightstand, and “The Promise” by When in Rome began playing.

Diesel turned, a small smile curving his lips. “Dance with me, baby girl.”