Page 4 of Hard as Steel

Krystof tried to intervene. He knew Kuba meant well, but he didn’t want Steel put in this position. “It’s okay; I can—”

“No problem.”

At Steel’s response, Krystof’s teeth snapped together. If he protested now, he would look crass, and Steel knew it. That was probably why Steel’s smile looked a little too satisfied with this plan. He had been handed a chance to torment Krystof and wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

As they headed back inside, Krystof had to stop himself from taking Steel’s hand. Their arms brushed, and Krystof couldn’t feel anything else. He avoided Steel’s gaze until he couldn’t any longer.

“The grooms and their parents will share the last two dances before seeing all guests out tonight. Don’t forget to get a designated driver before you leave. Be safe.”

The first slow song began, and Steel took his waist and pulled Krystof close. A shaky breath escaped him. All the memories were so loud and grew bigger with the smell of Steel’s cologne.

Steel spoke close to his ear. “Well, you have my undivided attention for around seven minutes by my calculations. Here’s your chance to do all the explaining you’ve been wanting to do.”

Something invisible punched Krystof in the chest and squeezed his heart. There was a dead note in Steel’s voice. Krystof towed Steel even closer. “If all I have is seven minutes, I’d rather spend them holding you.” That was exactly what Krystof did. He swayed to the music and buried his face in the crook of Steel’s neck. He was so solid and stiff, it felt like he was hugging a rock. The entire situation felt awkward and final. Tears filled his eyes. Krystof refused to let them fall. He felt himself letting go, and his heart broke all over again.

Every muscle in Steel’s body was locked tight. That was how hard he fought the emotions inside him. He remembered everything. Every kiss and every touch. Every I love you. What Steel had forgotten was how it felt to be in Krystof’s arms. There was no one else like him. Not for Steel. Not once had he questioned if Krystof was his soulmate. He was, but that didn’t always matter. Steel would go to his grave as half a person. What else was he supposed to do? A relationship with anyone else would be unfair. He would only cheat someone out of the full life they deserved. Steel would know. He had tried. Nothing with anyone else ever felt like this. He couldn’t settle for less.

Their estimated seven minutes were the longest of his life. Yet he didn’t want them to end. Steel wanted to close his eyes and feel. He was in this position as a favor for the grooms. When he closed his eyes, feeling Krystof’s breath brushing his neck, Steel knew the truth. He wanted this.

The final note fell silent. Krystof took a step back, but he didn’t release Steel’s hand. His eyes were filled with tears, and Steel couldn’t look away.

A sad smile touched his lips. “Thank you.” He brought Steel’s hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across Steel’s knuckles. “I won’t put you through this again. I hope life is always kind to you, my love. You deserve it.”

Krystof dropped Steel’s hand. He put his hands in his pockets and strolled away. Steel watched with his heart in his throat. He had seen something in Krystof he had never once witnessed. Krystof let him go.

“That was a pretty close dance there. You two would make a beautiful couple.”

Steel nearly jumped out of his skin. He had thought he was alone in the dark parking lot where he had wandered while lost in his thoughts. He didn’t even recall moving. Steel cared about Nova. So he did what he always did. He faked it. He tossed his arm across Nova’s shoulders. “How are you holding up with ole Steve showing up out of nowhere?”

A loud laugh burst from Nova. “I’m honestly surprised it took him this long. Diesel has been seen with dozens of celebrities.” She made a dismissive gesture. “I didn’t even see him. That cop friend of Diesel’s dragged him out hours ago.”

“Oh. Do the boys know that, or were they spared too?” Something felt a bit too much like a setup, and Steel didn’t like games.

Nova made a dismissive gesture.

Her fiancé, Tory, jumped in. “Everyone ran interference all night. I’m not sure either of them ever set eyes on him either. They didn’t ask about the guy, so we didn’t volunteer any information. Their night was going to be perfect if it was the last thing we did. Nova and I already had a plan to put him in the trunk if need be.”

A laugh burst from Steel. “We still could. I could track him.”

They laughed.

Steel didn’t feel lighter. This was him. The fake. The guy who smiled and made deals. He ran a very successful company he had built from nothing. Back home in his small town, younger him hadn’t expected to live this long. His dad had worked him half to death and then tried to beat the other half out of him. The day before he had turned eighteen, Steel had snapped. After dragging his dad all over the front yard and leaving him bleeding, Steel had grabbed his things, thrown them in the pickup truck he had spent every dime on, grabbed his best friend, and drove until there was no land left to drive. He still couldn’t believe that truck had gotten them all the way to the literal West Coast. Steel had been meant to be here. That was the only explanation he could come up with.

“Come on, everyone, let Uncle Sandy get you in the car so I’m not forced to arrest you or scrape you off the sidewalk.”

Nova flashed a sweet smile at Sandy, the same man who had tossed Diesel’s dad in the street. “You’re always such a gentleman. One of these days, you’ll have to let us be the designated driver.”

Steel took a step back. “Have a good night.”

Sandy looked his way, smiling the way he always seemed to be. “Nope. You’re no exception. Everyone is making it home in one piece tonight.”

Steel dipped his chin, acknowledging the offer. “Thank you, but I can call for a car.”

A loud huff burst from Sandy. “Okay, big guy. I’m not sure what it is with your entire workforce, being this damn stubborn. We know you’re the big boss. Now get in the goddamn car.” While the lecture had been given with a huge dose of golden retriever, Sandy’s eyes said something different. Steel was getting into the car.

He headed for the back door.

Nova hip-checked him aside, which was hilarious considering she was five nothing and maybe ninety pounds. She was a tiny thing. Size didn’t matter. She literally rocked him on his feet. Nova might be small, but she was tough.