Savi nodded. She motioned with her finger for Quinton to turn around. A QR code was printed on the back of his shirt.
Violet thought it seemed strange, but Savi pulled out her phone to scan it. She stared at her phone and started giggling, then turned it so Violet could read.
WANTED—Woman to be the partner in my life. I’m housetrained—mostly. I like to hunt and shoot things. I have a good job as a lawyer, but sometimes you’ll need to repeat things because I don’t always listen well and things don’t sink in the last quarter inch. To be the partner I need, you’ll need to be a fierce woman who can lead me around by my dick because I’m too hardheaded to listen to reason. If interested, please contact Vivi, Ellie, or Ry because we’re not letting mean girls into our family.
Violet chuckled and then leaned back as Halligan, in his tight jeans, started dancing close to her. Was he trying to give her a lap dance? He was hot but he wasn’t Speedy.
A whoosh of wind beside Violet had her staring at Speedy lifting Halligan by his T-shirt a foot off the ground.
“Keep your distance from Violet,” Speedy said, loud enough for her to hear.
Speedy dropped Halligan back to the floor. Halligan smirked, shoved Speedy away, then knelt in front of Violet, his hands touching her calves and sliding up her legs as the song repeatedagain. Violet leaned closer to him because she wanted his hands off her. They didn’t feel right because they weren’t Speedy.
Before she could tell him no, Speedy was pushing Halligan away.
“Are you okay?” Speedy asked, pulling her up to stand.
She nodded. “Yes, but I’m glad you pushed him away.”
Halligan stepped closer, chuckling. “He didn’t just push me away, Violet. He said to keep my hands off of his woman. I didn’t realize you two were together.”
Violet stared at Speedy. “We’re together?” she questioned.
She wanted to be with Speedy, but he hadn’t said anything about them being exclusive or being together. She needed him to be clear because she wasn’t going to assume and then be heartbroken when they were just friends.
Speedy’s hands cupped her face. “I was debating how to ask you if you wanted to be more, but I was also feeling guilty because I’m so much older. If I embarrassed you, I’m sorry but his hands on you had me seeing red.”
Violet stared at Speedy, wondering if she was dreaming this. His hands cupping her face. His words hinting he wanted more. She craved being more with him.
“Explain to me exactly what you’re wanting because I don’t want to be disappointed because I misunderstood,” she said. This was too important to leave it to vague answers. She required him to be clear, and if she’d learned anything at Bluff Creek, she’d learned she friggin’ deserved it.
“I want to date you because you deserve to be dated and have everything. I want to hold you on the dance floor and kiss you under the mistletoe, knowing I’m the only man who gets to do that. Then, when you decide I’m somebody you want for forever, I’ll propose and make you mine officially. Does that explain it enough?” he asked.
The Nelsons had finished their penalty dance. Music was playing softly on the sound system, but Violet could feel everyone’s eyes on them.
Speedy stared at her, not rushing her, which she appreciated.
“It does. And since someone has been telling me to say what I think, I have something I want to say to you. I want to date you, dance with you, and kiss you under the mistletoe. I want to be there for you, Deacon, and Tessie, and when you decide I’m somebody you want for forever, then I’ll accept your proposal. Now, can we dance because I’ve imagined you dancing with me a lot? I need to see if you live up to my imagination,” Violet said.
Whistles and yells from Beth and Violet’s friends drowned out any reply that Speedy could have made. He nodded and led her onto the dance floor.
Violet shivered as Speedy pulled her into his arms, swaying with her. She really hoped she didn’t wake up from this dream because she was the happiest she’d ever been.
Feeling his body against hers, with his hand holding hers and his other hand on her waist, had her biting her lip to keep the emotions inside.
“Hey now, what’s wrong?” Speedy asked, his warm breath ruffling her hair near her ear. She shivered, pressing against him.
“I’m just so happy. It’s not what I’m used to,” she said softly, swaying with him to a slow version ofKiss the Girl.
“How about you just enjoy it, and if that means you shed a tear, so be it. Nobody gets to tell you how to feel. But I do think between the mistletoe above us and this song—I need to kissmygirl,” Speedy said, his dark, closely trimmed beard highlighting his smile.
He leaned near her, keeping eye contact the whole time. It felt intimate, exciting, and Violet waited to feel his lips against hers again.
When they finally did, Violet was positive it had taken forever, but the feel of his lips touching hers, the music, and the mistletoe gave Violet hope for this Christmas. She was going to enjoy every second with Speedy. He made her feel beautiful. Each sweep of his tongue with hers and caress of his lips pulled her under until it was just her and Speedy with the world fading away.
Way too soon, he pulled back from her lips. As they danced, his hardness brushed against her. He was as affected by the kiss as she was.
“I can’t keep kissing you or we won’t just be dancing,” he said softly.
