He leans forward, eyes sparkling. “Dance with me.”
“No.”
“Why not? Are you that scared of getting close to me?”
I roll my eyes, hoping he doesn’t notice the flush crawling up my neck at his proximity and the way he called out my exact reasoning for not wanting to dance with him.
“I know this may come as a shock, but not every woman’s panties melt when you smile.”
I turn away from him, facing the stage. My phone buzzes with another text. I pull it out of the back pocket of my tight jeans.
Rosie
Hey, girl! Sorry, I know it’s late. I just wanted to let you know that Holden fell off his horse and hurt his wrist. He won’t be able to give the boys roping lessons. But great news! Duke agreed to fill in. Don’t tell my husband I said so, but he’s actually a little better at the teaching side when it comes to roping. He can make the same schedule work. Talk to you soon!
I stare at the screen, gnawing on my lower lip.
“She can’t dance,” Jo says casually.
I turn back around, glaring at my friend. She’s a deadpan, no-bullshit type of girl. She was raised by her father, the owner of the bar, Old Harry himself. I like her, but damn is she pissing me off tonight.
Duke’s shit-eating grin widens. “You’re shittin’ me. I can teach you. It’s all in the hips.” He rolls his hips obscenely.
Jo tosses her brown hair over her shoulder and shrugs. “She’s got two left feet. A lost cause on the dance floor.”
Duke steps around the table toward me. “Come on. Let me give you a lesson. I’m the reigning champ of the Swing Dance Showdown every spring. A little two-stepping tutorial will be fun. I could charge for this, you know.”
“She’s lying. I know how to dance.”
He lifts a dark brow, clearly thinking I’m the one who’s lying now. I glare at Jo. She did this on purpose because she knows how competitive I am. Rising to a challenge is not something I struggle with. I don’t back down easily.
Don’t give in. You don’t have to prove anything to him.
“Hayes, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. But dancing is an excellent way to relieve stress. After you learn to two-step,we can move on to swing. Swing dancing is one of life’s greatest pleasures.”
Jo is acting strangely interested in the live band that’s playing, leaving me to deal with explaining myself to Duke.
“I’m serious. I know how to dance. You’re not going to teach me anything, even if I did get up to dance with you.” I sit back against my chair, crossing my leg over the other one and folding my arms.
He steps closer, holds out a hand to me, and says the two words that I really, really wish I had the willpower to resist.
“Prove it.”
2
DUKE
Dallas flips a lock of curly blond hair over her shoulder, and I try not to moan when I catch a whiff of her shampoo.
She smells like jasmine and vanilla and filthy decisions I could never regret.
The band starts playing a slower song, a Chris Stapleton cover. She turns to face me, and my eyes dip to her pouty pink lips.
Fuck, I have to get myself under control. She’s married, last I heard.
But I don’t see a ring tonight.
I reach out to wrap my hand around her waist. When my other one interlaces with her fingers, flames flicker over the back of my neck. I’ve wanted Dallas Hayes since the day I met her over two years ago. I vividly remember seeing her for the first time when she walked into my older brother Holden’s house. Time seemed to stop when her bright eyes met mine, and I wanted her instantly.
