Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(40)

As we assumed the position on the dance floor, I waited for the Two-Step, not meeting his eyes. Afraid I'd unravel if I did.

“I hear you can ballroom dance,” he said in his rich baritone. A grin tweaked his lips.

I nodded. I still didn’t trust myself to speak.

“Does that include swing dancing?”

I nodded again. “Not country swing dancing, though,” I amended quietly.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s close enough. Just follow my lead.”

I nodded once and chanced a smile I still didn’t feel.

The next three minutes were a thrill. I was whipped around the dance floor; pulled up close, pushed away, dipped, turned, and spun. It was just the thing I needed, and William was an excellent leader. I could’ve closed my eyes and followed his lead without ever bumping into a soul, or hitting him mid-swing.

I let my mind seep into the music and rhythm, encouraging the beat to fuse to my bones, making my skeleton dance of its own accord. I could feel myself unstitch at the seams; the events of the day fraying my nerves. I was getting tired. I felt beat up. I really just wanted a hot bath and my girlfriends to tell me to buck up and keep truckin’.

The song ended and “The River” by Garth Brooks came on. I actually knew this song!

William stepped closer, his body now inches from mine, and wrapped his arm securely around my back. He still held my hand like we were ballroom dancing, but he brought it in to his heart, leaning against his peck. His neck was smooth against my cheek, his shoulder hard under my hand. He was leaner than Moose, but his muscles were just as hard. I felt my groin tighten with the contact.

“Are you okay? It has been a trying day for you." His voice was barely more than a whisper.

“Please. I don’t want to start crying.”

“It’s okay to cry. You’ve earned the privilege. I have a shirt under this one.”

I laughed a little as my eyes blurred once again. I shook my head and backed away to allow air to hit my face and dry my eyes.

He held my hand flat against his heart and pulled me in harder. “Sorry, I just want to make sure you’re okay. I don’t mean to pry.”

We were slowly two-stepping around the dance floor with everyone else. Though I wasn’t focusing on anything but the feel of his body and smell of his skin, I noticed more than a few pretty eyes scowl in jealousy at my proximity to William. With all his opportunity of female choices I knew this couldn’t last, but I would be a fool to not take advantage of it while it did.

I leaned in to him and rested my head between his neck and shoulder. Eat your heart out, girls!

Our bodies moved as one to the music, our pace slow, barely keeping up with the music. His arm around my back steadily pressing me into him. We could barely two-step with how close our legs were, but he didn’t relent. He bowed his head to get his face closer to mine, the hand holding mine tightening, his breathing becoming somewhat husky and labored.

The song ended abruptly, much too soon. I came out of my trance slowly, he not as slow.

With a red face, he pushed me away firmly, cold air replacing his warmth. A soft crinkle etched the middle of this eyebrows as he looked at those around us, clapping for the band. Frustrated embarrassment marred his gaze when he looked back in my direction.

Well, hell, at least I’d turned him on. He may not have wanted to let it get that far—even though I was absolutely willing—but at least I’d affected him. It wasn’t much, but in the low mood I was in, I would take it.

William cleared his throat and mumbled something about getting back. He stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced around us again.

Yeah, I’d been here before. I knew better than to hang around and try to force intimacy. So when he held out his arm for me to take back to the table, I did so graciously, distancing myself from the intimacy a few minutes before.

It didn’t stop me from wanting to punch him in the mouth, though. If he hadn’t wanted to be so close, why the hell was he? And if he did, why didn’t he just act on it? Guys could be so irritating!

The next couple hours passed in a haze of dancing and drinking. Shots were brought...by me, and beers were brought by others. One thing about these boys--they could drink! I had a pretty tolerance coming out of my college years, but they easily drank two to my one. It helped that they were all giants, but still.

Towards the end of the night I had a heat on, alcohol wise, and was a sweaty mess, facially. Ty had just swung me halfway around the world on the dance floor, bowed, then took Candace for a ride. The guy had the stamina of a race horse.

Which I pointed out to Candace. Then giggled with her.

Feeling like I was about to pass out from fatigue, I looked for one of the boys to escort me outside. I needed cool air to replace the moist humidity of the tent. I needed a way to stopper some of my sweat rivers.

A glance told me William, Adam and Moose were nowhere in sight. Tom was chatting to another older fellow by the bar, with hard lines in his face that was probably business related, so I didn’t dare interrupt that. And the batter up, Georgie, was courting some little thing with heart shaped lips. So, that sucks.

I shrugged my shoulders and headed out. A few steps beyond the door wouldn’t be a big deal. A scream would bring someone in case Dusty found his way back, and a quick walk inside would keep anyone else from hitting on me very long.

As the murky dark enveloped me, I lifted my hair to catch a stray breeze. It felt good out here. Quiet and serene. Not cold, but there was a distinct chill that made me twirl to catch every last waft on my overheated skin.