“Oh God, shoot me now,” he moans, and I lose it, throwing my head back, laughing and yes …snorting.Damn it all.
“I’m … Sorry …,” I apologize as I catch my breath.
“You better be glad you’re sexy as hell, woman,” he mutters back. “You owe me now, though.”
“Owe you? How do you figure that?”
“For laughing at me. I have a very fragile ego, and you’ve just crushed it completely.”
“Poor baby,” I croon.
“You have no idea. So, now you owe me.”
“Dare I ask what I owe you?”
“One dance,” he explains, shocking me.
“A dance?” I murmur, my gaze skating over to the part of Remi’s that turns this place into a roadhouse. There’s a roll of log pillars about five feet apart separating the dining area from the pool tables and dance floor. It keeps the area open because you can see and walk between them to get to that area, yet clearly designates it, too. Seriously, it’s kind of the best of all worlds rolled into one. I’ve always loved it, but when I come here it’s to eat and play pool with the boys. I donotdance. I’m not even sure I remember how because it’s been so long.
“Wouldn’t you rather play pool instead?” I ask.
Hunter grins at me. “Nope. I want to dance with you.”
“Cowboy, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“What’s wrong, Harper? Are you scared?”
“If anyone should be scared here, it’s your toes. I’m not a dancer,” I tell him with complete honesty.
“You just haven’t had the right partner,” he says, standing up.
He reaches his hand out. I really shouldn’t, but I automatically put mine in it.Damn it.What is it about Hunter that sends my self-preservation flying? I let him lead me to an old jukebox and watch as he picks a song. My eyes go wide, because that’s one of my favorite songs. It’s old but I remember Dad and I driving down the road with it blaring. It’s hard to believe that was eight years ago. God, I miss him more and more every day. I can’t find my voice to express any of this to Hunter,so I don’t say a damn thing. I just walk with him as if I’m in a trance.
I’m in big trouble.
Chapter 10
BB
It sounds hokey as hell,but after months of thinking I’d never get the chance to hold Beau in my arms again, I feel like I’ve won the fucking lottery. As I escort her onto the dance floor, put my hands on her hips, and pull her into me, I stare into her eyes. She looks at me, nervously worrying her bottom lip.
“Y-You know this song?” she asks nervously.
“It’s one of my favorites,” I reply, I’m not big into country music, but this song by the Eli Young Band has always been special to me. I think because it’s a dream that I’ve always wanted.
“Mine, too.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” I whisper into her ear.
“It doesn’t?”
“No, babe. Despite all the bullshit that I caused to fuck us up, the two of us are a lot alike.”
“I’m not so sure,” she whispers. I don’t respond. I hear sadness in her voice and I’m not sure what to do with that.
Strands of the songSkin and Bonesbegin to filter through the room. This place is loud, but it all seems to fade away as the song starts and I pull Beau close. She lays her head on myshoulder and lets the music take over. I hold her tightly, as the singer belts out the lyrics.
When she trembles against me, I bend down, letting my nose slide against the side of her face, breathing her in. Then, I move to her ear and finally her neck. “Are you okay, Harper?” I whisper. Something about this moment feels bigger than anything I’ve ever experienced with anyone else in my life.
