His gaze sharpened, and something devilish entered his smile. “I like the sound of that.” He tossed back a swallow of his Maker’s Mark, his gaze never leaving hers.

  Oh Lord, had she come on too strong? What had she just started? She’d meant it as a bit of harmless flirting. Please God, let him take it that way.

  Several more parties had arrived, one after another, and every table in the small establishment was now taken. She glanced around. “Did you have a problem making a reservation?”

  He grinned. “I know someone who knows someone....”

  She raised a brow, and he laughed.

  “I have a friend who lives here in Dallas, and he made the reservation for me.”

  Seriously? How long had he been planning this little excursion of theirs? And how the hell did he know that she’d lose the bet?

  She narrowed her eyes at him, but his grin only got wider. She shook her head and took another swallow of scotch. She’d probably never know exactly what was truly behind this...this spoiling of her, but then, did it really matter? She’d lost the bet, fair and square. She was here, for better or worse. God, please don’t let it be for worse.

  She had to admit that her dinner was worth every penny. The filet mignon melted in her mouth, and the roasted okra, tomato, and bacon that she’d ordered to go with it was out of this world.

  After dinner, as Dane escorted her from the room, he placed his fingertips at her waist with the lightest of touches. It was the gesture of a gentleman, and it sent a shiver up her spine. He kept them there until they approached the elevators.

  “You’ll have noticed that we ate dinner rather early tonight,” he said.

  She nodded. “I eat about this time with my grandparents back at the ranch.”

  He grinned. “The night is far from over, Cowgirl. Change into your jeans and boots. We’re going dancing, and there’s a Red Dirt band playing tonight.”

  Dancing? She loved to dance, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d actually been on the dance floor. “Sounds like fun. It won’t take me long to change.”

  The elevator arrived, and she felt his fingertips at her waist again. But that was nothing. Soon she’d be dancing in his arms to the wild beat of Red Dirt country music. A ripple of desire slithered up her belly as the elevator rose to their floor. Her hand shook slightly as she inserted her key card in the lock of her door. With a smile, she said, “See you in a few, Rodeo.”

  He chuckled. “Come on in when you’re ready, Cowgirl.”

  Dane poured himself a finger of bourbon as he waited for Alexis to change. She’d definitely transformed during dinner—she’d become flirty, warm, and sensual. He enjoyed this new version of her, and he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of the evening with her.

  He imagined holding her in his arms to the slow beat of an old country song, and a shiver of desire ran through him. After a long swallow of his drink, he walked over to the window. The sun had set at around six-fifteen, and it was fully dark outside. Colorful city lights spread out for miles in every direction. How could people live in a place like this? He needed wide open spaces and trees and grass, cattle grazing, and the sweet bawl of newborn calves.

  The adjoining door opened, and he turned around. Alexis walked into the room, and he sucked in a breath. She was stunning in an emerald-green sleeveless blouse with a low scoop neck, tucked into starched, hip-hugging Western jeans. Her blond hair curled around her shoulders, and her eyes, the exact shade of her blouse, shimmered in the light. Her slender body boasted all the right curves, and he’d taken two steps toward her before he realized it.

  “You look lovely, Alexis,” he said as he set his glass on the dresser.

  She smiled. “Thanks, Dane.”

  “Every cowboy in the place is going to want to dance with you tonight.”

  “Rodeo,” she said with a grin, “I’ll stick with you. I think I can keep up with a guy who’s been stove up as many times as you have.”

  His eyes narrowed as he bit back a smile. “Is that the only reason?”

  “Yup.”

  He cracked up. “Smartass.”

  “Our ride should be here in a few minutes.” He’d called an Uber earlier. “Would you like a bourbon before we go downstairs? Sorry I don’t have Lagavulin.”

  “I think I can deal with your Maker’s Mark,” she said with a curve of her beautiful mouth.

  He’d love to kiss those full lips, but she’d most likely slap him. He bit back a smile at the mental picture that gave him.

  He poured her a glass and handed it to her. “I like your boots, Cowgirl. Ostrich leather is a favorite of mine because it’s so soft and pliable, even though it’s strong as hell. I never have to break my ostrich boots in. They’re just naturally comfortable.”

  She glanced down at her dark-tan boots. “These are great, all right. And tough enough to stand you stomping on them all night if you’re an awful dancer.”

  He laughed. “You don’t have to worry about that. I can handle myself, woman.”

  Several minutes later, her bourbon finished, Alexis said, “Shall we hit the road, Twinkle Toes?”

  “Ugh!” He tugged her toward the door. “Come on, you. I’ll show you Twinkle Toes.” She was adorable, and he couldn’t wait to get the night started.

  Alexis, excited at the atmosphere of the dance hall, was glad that they were early enough to nab chairs at the rail surrounding the dance floor. It had a narrow bar top where they could set their drinks, and they’d have a perfect view of the dancers and band. The metal beam-work crisscrossing the high ceiling gave the place an exotic feeling. She had a feeling the place would soon be packed. There was already a crowd, and noisy chatter sounded all around them. A jukebox played upbeat country music over the sound system.

  “What’re you drinking tonight?” Dane asked, putting his mouth near her ear.

  “I think I’ll stick to beer.” She told him her preference, and then her gaze landed on a couple who had stepped out onto the floor, dancing to the quick beat of the music. Other dancers joined them, and she examined the steps they took. The Texas Two-Step they were dancing was a little different from what she was used to. How interesting. She’d had no idea that there were different versions of the dance. How did Dane dance it? She’d soon find out—and hopefully it wouldn’t be her treading on his toes.

  Dane returned with their beers and sat down beside her, scooting his chair close, probably to make conversing easier in the noisy room.

  “Thank you,” she said and took a sip. “Mm, good and cold. I like a good beer once in a while. How about you?”

  “It’s what I drink when I’m on the road. I don’t like to mess with the hard stuff when I’m competing. I’ll have a couple of beers, and that’s about it.”

  She looked at him, surprised by this revelation. She’d always thought of rodeo cowboys as a hard-partying lot. “And I’m sure you’re all tucked up in bed by 7 p.m., too.”

  He cracked up. “Damn. Give me a break, woman. No, I’m not, but I don’t usually stay up very late, either.” He shook his head. “You’re determined to make me out to be some wildass cowboy, aren’t you?”

  She shrugged. “You’re telling me that you’re not?”

  “Far from it. Rodeo’s my job. Anybody who’s good at their job doesn’t mess it up by getting drunk.” He took a swallow of beer and held her gaze.

  She nodded. “I agree, but my experience says that cowboys don’t always see it that way.”

  “It’s true that there are some real drinkers on the road, but I can tell you that successful cowboys usually have their act together, and that’s hard to do if you’re drunk.”

  Hmm, he was talking sense. She surprised herself by actually believing that he didn’t drink heavily while he worked. A tightness went out of her chest that she hadn’t realized was there. She raised her beer. “To sober cowboys and great dancing.”

  He grinned and tapped her bottle. “To you for believing me.”

  The band came onstage and began to tune their instruments. Her belly tightened, and she grinned at Dane. “I love Red Dirt music.”

  “I do too. When I checked out the place and found that they hosted Red Dirt bands on Thursdays, I knew we had to come.”

  She clasped his hand. “Dane, thank you for all this. For making this time in Dallas so special for me.” She looked into his eyes, showing him how thankful and happy she felt. She even let him see her attraction to him.

  He squeezed her fingers and smiled. “I’m having fun, and I’m glad that you are too. You have nothing to thank me for. It’s been a long time since I took a vacation. You just gave me a great excuse to enjoy myself.”

  He held on to her hand, then, and she didn’t mind at all. The connection between them soothed her—and yet it excited her too.

  It wasn’t long until the band kicked off the first song. It was rowdy and crazy and everything she loved about Red Dirt music.

  Dane grinned at her and drew her from her chair. “It’s time for Twinkle Toes to show you how to dance.”

  She laughed. “Not hardly, Cowboy. I know a thing or two already.”

  He chuckled and led her out to the already filling dance floor.

  He drew her into his arms, close but not too close; always the gentleman. After a few steps, she was relieved to find that he danced the two-step in the familiar way. She relaxed and followed his quick steps, the music fast and furious, driving everything from her mind but keeping to the beat. Her lips parted, and a grin drew her mouth into a tight curve. How she loved this. Dane had a strong lead and was easy to follow. His gaze met hers, and his dancing eyes told her that he was having fun too.

  When the song ended, she was nearly out of breath. Dane led her to their seats and signaled the waitress for two more beers.

  “Twinkle Toes, you’re quite the dancer,” she said as she drank the last of her beer.

  He chuckled. “So now can we drop the Twinkle Toes?”

  She held out her hand. “Deal.”

  Instead of shaking it, he clasped it in his own and held onto it. She curled her fingers around his, accepting this new stage of their relationship.

  A moment later, one of her favorite songs started playing, and her pulse sped up with the pounding beat of the music. “I love this song!”

  Dane stood and tugged on her hand. “Shall we?”

  She grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  On the floor, Dane pulled her into his arms and set off. Her head swirled to the beat and to the spins they made. He was a fabulous dancer, and she abandoned herself to the music and his strong arms. When the song ended, she moaned. “I wanted that to go on forever, Dane.”

  He kissed the top of her head in an offhand manner. “There’s plenty of music where that came from. We can dance all night.” The next song started, a slow, easy one. He tugged on her hand and drew her back to the center of the dance floor, his gaze warm and gentle. “This is my song, Alexis.”

  She smiled. “Shall we?”

  He laughed softly and drew her into his gentle embrace. This time, she leaned on his muscular chest, laying her cheek against him and sighing at the rightness of it. She slipped her arms around his neck, and his hands went to her waist. Nothing had ever felt so perfect. They swayed to the slow beat of the song, eyes closed, in tune with each other for the first time. It was heavenly, and she didn’t want it to end.

  When the last chord sounded, Dane held her for a long moment, as if he couldn’t bear for it to end either. Then he kissed her temple and took her hand in his as he led her from the floor.

  Dazed and relaxed, she followed in his footsteps. If the night ended right then, it would have been the best evening she could remember.

  Dane met Alexis’s gaze, and he looked as dazed by their dance as she was. That touched her deeply, because it told her that she wasn’t just another conquest to him.

  He still held her hand, and the connection went straight to her heart. She was a little confused how this had happened, but she was suddenly sure that Dane was sincere in his feelings for her. The last of her hesitation, her barriers, vanished.

  He leaned close and said near her ear, “I’m glad we came tonight.”

  She squeezed his fingers. “Me too.”

  He slid his arm around her shoulders then, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world. She leaned into him, her eyes on the dancers out on the floor, her mind euphoric, her body in tune with his.

  They danced until 1:00 a.m. After a particularly rowdy song, she sat down at the table and sighed. Before she knew what was happening, she was overcome by a yawn.

  Dane noticed and grinned. “I think it’s time we got back to the hotel, Rip Van Winkle.”

  She cracked up. “Oh Lord, you actually read that story?”

  “My granny read it to me when I was little, and it totally creeped me out,” he said with a grin.

  “Well, I’m all for going. I’ll probably fall asleep on the way, and you’ll get to see me drool.”

  He laughed. “I can’t wait.”

  It took fifteen minutes for their Uber to arrive, and she spent the time snuggled against Dane’s broad shoulder, her eyes drooping and then opening as she tried to stay awake. This was way past her normal rancher’s bedtime, and she’d gotten up before dawn that morning, nervous as a cat about the trip.

  She did fall asleep in Dane’s arms on the way back to the hotel, but thank goodness she didn’t drool.

  When they arrived at their rooms, he tugged on her hand. “Come inside, just for a minute.”

  Her heart started to pound, and she looked into his eyes. She saw only kindness and goodness there. She nodded and followed him through the door.

  He led her to the adjoining door and turned to her. His mouth curled in a slow smile. “I wanted to say a proper goodnight, but not out in the hall.” He reached for her, giving her plenty of time to refuse. Then he drew her close. She slipped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes. He must be six foot four or more, so she cupped the back of his head and drew him down to her. “Kiss me, Rodeo. Like you mean it.”

  He sighed. “Woman, I thought you’d never ask.”

  He brushed a lingering, gentle kiss across her lips, leaving a sweet, tingling sensation in its wake. Then he claimed her mouth in a deep, sensual kiss that left her hot and shaking. She kissed him back, her tongue tangling with his, thrusting deep and stroking the sides of his mouth. He moaned and drew her tightly against him for a moment—and then he kissed her on the forehead and stepped back.

  With a tight smile, he said, “Goodnight, Alexis. We can sleep in a bit in the morning, and then we’re going on a shopping spree.”

  Her eyes narrowed.

  “I have a surprise for you—and you’ll need an evening gown.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. Remember, I’m spoiling you—and our bet says that you have to do whatever I want.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t realize all that it would entail.”

  He chuckled. “Just relax and enjoy yourself. It won’t hurt you to be spoiled just this once. When we get home, you can go back to being Rancher Alexis.”

  She smiled. “Way-Behind Rancher Alexis, you mean.”

  He laughed. “Right, but I think you’ll be surprised at how well Jace will take care of things for you.”

  She caressed his cheek. “Thanks for tonight, Dane. I had a fabulous time.”

  “I did too, honey.”

  Her heart lurched at the endearment as she opened the adjoining door. Did he really mean it, or was that just how he naturally talked? As she took off her blouse, she realized that she wanted him to mean it, really mean it. She was sinking fast. If she wanted to bail, she’d better do it soon.

  Chapter Five

  Dane stood silently as Alexis’s perfume titillated his senses. They were out in front of the hotel awaiting the arrival of the limo he’d ordered for their shopping excursion, which had been custom-designed for them by the hotel concierge. The man had sent the itinerary to the car service yesterday.

  They were shopping for a cocktail-length dress, but Dane was hoping for something that would wow anyone who saw Alexis. For her sake, he wanted her to be a sensation, the belle of the night.

  The car arrived, and the driver opened the door for them. Inside, a bottle of Lagavulin and two glasses awaited them.

  “You’ve thought of everything,” Alexis said as Dane slid in beside her.

  He grinned. “What’s a custom shopping trip without good scotch?”

  As the limo pulled away from the curb a moment later, he took a glass from the tray and poured her two fingers.

  She swirled it around for a few seconds, looking into the deep-amber-gold liquid as if her thoughts were a thousand miles away.

  He wondered what was on her mind. Was she worried about her ranch? How Jace was handling her cattle business? “Do you need to call Jace?”

  She glanced at him, the corner of her mouth lifting. “There’s no point in that. I’m here for seven days, Rodeo. Besides, I gave him my number and told him to call if anything came up, no matter how small.”

  He nodded. So that wasn’t bothering her. He hoped that she didn’t regret their kiss last night. He definitely didn’t. He poured himself a drink.

  She settled back into the soft, camel-colored leather seat. “I have to admit, Cowboy, I’m a bit nervous. Trying on dresses in front of people? Not my thing.”

  “Don’t worry. Those ladies will be there to help you, not judge you. Just have fun. Besides, the stores should have models to show you the dresses first, so you’ll only try on those you like.”

  She smiled then, looking both a little bit shy and a little bit excited. That was more like it.

  At the first place they shopped, she didn’t find anything she liked. He had to admit, the dresses were a tad matronly.

  They got back into the limo, and he poured them each a finger of scotch for the road. “You were great in there. How did you feel?”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17