Victoria shrugged her shoulders as she kept pulling away.“Just ...this was your town first, so you shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable when you’re out with your friends.”
Cole ignored her struggles and pulled her against his chest before he gently wrapped his arms around her.“Oh, damn.I didn’t mean for you to feel unwelcome.Shhh, baby,” he said when she tried to pull away.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.This is as much your town as it is mine.”
Victoria finally stilled when she realized she wasn’t going anywhere until he released her.“No, it’s not, and I have a feeling it never will be.”
Although they were off to the side of the crowd, the noise level was still high.Cole bent down so he could hear her better.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, Cole.I really need to get home.”
“No, you don’t, you’re leaving because of me, aren’t you?”
She nodded.“Yes, I think it’s for the best.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re angry that I’m here.”
“No, I’m not.I was actually very happy you were here.I was at your house, and one of your ranch hands told me where you were.I caught sight of you and was headed over, but then Trisha left you with those three men.”
She stared up at him like he’d gone crazy.“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I was jealous, okay?”He hadn’t realized he’d yelled until the room around them stopped and turned to stare at them.
A flush covered Victoria’s face from mortification as she looked around at the curious faces.
“Oh, my God.Let me go, Cole,” she pleaded as she started struggling again.
“Tory, stop, baby.Just ignore them.I want you to listen to me carefully.I do want you here, very much.I love being around you.You challenge and fight with me when few people in my life would dare.I’m so proud of everything you’re trying to do, but at the same time, terrified you’ll get hurt.I’ve never met a woman like you in my life.You seem to be fearless.You’re so damn tiny, but you’re stronger-willed and a harder worker than most men I know.”
Victoria had frozen halfway through his speech and stared up at him in shock.
“I can’t hear you very well, so I’d like to go somewhere we can talk.Do you want to stay for a while?”he asked.
Victoria looked around for Trisha.“If it doesn’t make you angry, I’d like to stay here, maybe for a bit, I don’t want to leave without at least saying goodbye to Trisha and Ben.”She didn’t understand what had changed with him, and she didn’t know if she trusted it.Was it just another ploy to get the ranch?What saddened her the most was that, even knowing he might be misleading her, she couldn’t let go of the feelings and desires his hands evoked, which touched something deep inside her.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and started back into the crowd, making sure no one jostled her.He stopped on the dance floor and looked down at her.“Will you dance with me?”
Her surprised gaze shot to him.“Yes, I’d like that.”
Cole pulled her further into the dance crowd and stopped at the back edge of the group, then turned his back to the crowd before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her tightly against his chest.
The difference in their height made it a challenge to dance together.
Victoria lay the side of her head against his chest and curled an arm around his waist.Her other hand was held gently in Cole’s much larger hand as they swayed to the music.Her heartbeat had not calmed down.In fact, she felt it beat against her breast at the same time she felt his.His other hand fit against her lower back and kept her pressed tight against him.
She took in silent, shuddering breaths, closed her eyes, and enjoyed his hand on her and what felt like his hard cock against her stomach.
Neither said anything for two more slow songs.When the music changed to a faster beat, he maneuvered her to the bar, lifted her with ease, and sat her on one of the tall stools.
He stood next to her and faced her as he got the bartender’s attention.
“What would you like to drink?”
“I’ll take another beer.I didn’t get to finish the first and only one.”
“What, and you only let yourself have one?”he asked.
