One punch. That’s all it takes.
I spin around, and it’shim.
My apparently not-so-clean cowboy.
Chest heaving. Jaw tight. Eyes wild. “Shit. I didn’t mean to hit him that hard.”
My eyes lock with the stranger’s. His brow is glistening with sweat, his hat off now.
Two security guards appear, but instead of grabbing him, they look down at the groaning creep and just…shrug.
“He’s been a problem all night,” one of them mutters. “Guess he found someone who solved it. You see anything, Elliot?”
“Nah. Musta just fallen ‘cuz he’s so drunk.”
By the time I turn to thank him, he’s already walking away.
No name. No goodbye. Just the back of his broad shoulders disappearing into the crowd again.
Like some kind of dusty avenger in denim Levi’s.
And I just stand there, stunned, clutching my untouched beer and wondering what the hell just happened.
Chapter Three
CASSIE
The Dust Devils are in full swing by the time I weave through the crowd again, beer in hand, buzz just strong enough to soften the edges of the world and let me loosen up a little. The sun’s dipped low, streaking the sky with gold and violet. The air hums with their music and the sweat of summer.
Life is good.
I’m halfway to my spot near the speakers when I bump into someone—hard.
“Whoa—sorry,” I start, looking up.
I settle on his blue eyes and perfect jaw. And he’s tall enough to force my eyes to look up to meet his face.
Of course it’s him.
He tilts his head, smirking. “Okay. Seriously? Are you stalking me? This is getting weird.”
“I should ask you the same thing.”
“Yeah, I honestly didn’t mean to knock that guy out.”
His eyes drop to my legs. My frayed denim short shorts. The loose flannel tied around my waist. I watch his throat move as he swallows.
“So,” he says, his light drawl sliding over me like honey, “no men, huh?”
“No men,” I repeat firmly.
“Not even one dance?” His eyes flicker.
I hesitate. Everything in me wants to say no. Wants to keep the walls up. Wants to keep pretending I’m still healing and powerful and untouchable.
I made a promise to myself. No men for a year. I don’t want to be one of those people who rebound right into another failed relationship.
But his eyes glimmer at me with wisps of inviting kindness.
