They walk away, and Dakota turns a worried gaze to me. “Your mom didn’t seem very happy to see us together.”
I wave off her concern. “She’s probably having a bad day.”
“Have you told her our fake relationship isn’t quite so fake anymore?”
“I don’t think she needs to hear my words to know that. Our actions make it clear.”
Dakota grins reluctantly. “You’re probably right.”
We finish our drinks and I pay the tab. “Are you ready to go?”
“Go where?” Her worry has been replaced by excitement.
“Dancing.”
She looks stunned. “Dancing? Wes Hayden dances?”
I shrug. “Mostly I just slouch in my chair and watch other people dance.”
Her eyes narrow. “Why are you taking me to a place where you don’t plan to participate?”
I curl a hand around her hip. “Warner told me about it. Said it would be a good place to take you.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “You’re taking dating advice from Warner?”
“Technically, no. More likedestinationadvice.”
“Ahhh,” she says, nodding solemnly. “Well then, cowboy, take me away.”
* * *
Dakota leans forward,fingers splayed on my dash, peering out the windshield. “This place is… kinda cool.”
A large neon sign shines brightly on the front of the big wooden building.The Chute. From our parking spot I can see around to the arena in the back, where they host bull riding and various events.
I smirk. “It’s no Bar N.”
She flashes me a dirty look. “That place has its… place.” Her dirty look melts into laughter.
“Come on.” I hop out and walk around the back of my truck. The passenger door opens just as I get to it, so I reach up and grip Dakota around the waist. My intention is to lift her out, but Dakota wraps her leg around me and urges me in closer.
“I missed you last night,” she murmurs, her pink lips pouty and delectable.
I had to wake up early this morning, and so last night I extricated myself from Dakota’s bed and forced myself to drive home. As I walked away from her hotel room, I couldn’t remember a decision I’d made in the past few years being so hard to make.
“Let’s switch it up tonight.” My lips brush hers.
She pulls back, her eyebrows cinched together. “What do you mean?”
“Come home with me tonight,” I murmur into her ear, and she moans quietly, her leg tightening around my lower back. From somewhere behind me, the roar of a truck engine makes its way into my sex-soaked brain. Dakota turns toward the sound, her hair brushing against my face.
“We’re going to have an audience pretty soon.” She starts to pull away.
“Don’t care,” I grumble, my lips on her bare shoulder. I move them across her skin, letting my teeth drag against her soft skin.
“Is this the whiskey talking?”
I pull back to look in her eyes. “Not the whiskey, Dakota.”
