Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
My chest stirs as the opening notes of “Neon Moon” fill the bar.
Mollie glances at me, her smile in her eyes now. “This is one of my favorite Brooks & Dunn songs too.”
Seems too simple for a girl like her—the pleasure of a great song being played by a great band in a bar as old as we are. I would’ve thought only a trip on a private jet or a Rolex for her birthday would light her up like this.
But here we are. My heart thumps as people pair off around us. Watching couples move across the dance floor, her gaze flickers.
Mollie don’t have a ring on her finger. I imagine if she had a boyfriend, he’d be here right now. No way I’d let my girl walk into this bar alone. Much less walk onto the ranch she just inherited by herself.
She’s single, then.
Or maybe I just hope she’s single. Which is plain stupid. Mollie Luck is gorgeous, sure. She’s got more grit than I gave her credit for. But I can’t get involved.
I don’t want to get involved, my thumping pulse notwithstanding.
But then Roddy Oldman, a cowboy from one of the smaller ranches across town with a crooked smile and wandering hands, holds out his arm to Mollie. “Can I have this dance?”
Turning away from me, Mollie grins. “Aren’t you a gentleman? I’d love—”
“Nope.” Aw shit, now I’m curling an arm around Mollie’s waist.
Now I’m pulling her against me, my body lighting up like a firecracker at the contact. My hand finds her side, and I hold her there, my grip firm.
I don’t miss the way her tits rise on a sharp inhale.
I tell myself I’m just looking out for her.
I’m just keeping her safe. If I’m here, there’s no chance Roddy will put his dirty paws on her.
“Wait, wait.” Mollie looks up at me, eyebrows pinched together. “Are you—”
“Dancing? Yes.”
She blinks. “I’m confused.”
“It’s simple. The band plays a song, and we dance to it.”
“Together?”
“That’s how the two-step works, yeah.”
She blinks again, cheeks flushing pink, and nods at Roddy. “I’d like to dance with him.”
Keeping my arm around her waist, I set my beer down on the edge of the stage. “You’re dancing with me.”
“What the hell, Cash?” Roddy says.
I offer him a tight smile. “Over my dead body, Roddy.”
“You’re rude,” Mollie says.
“Yep.” Grabbing Mollie’s beer, I set it down beside mine. “Watch the boots. I just cleaned them.”
She glances down at my feet. “Do you ever take Dad’s boots off?”
“Not if I can help it.” I grab her hand. Put my other hand on the small of her back, my pinkie meeting with bare skin thanks to her crop top. My pulse blares. The heat of her skin seeps into my own.
I can’t two-step with this girl and not lose my goddamn mind.
I also can’t leave her to the likes of Roddy Oldman.
Leaning in, I manage, “I’m doing you a favor. Once he starts drinking, he won’t stop pawing at you.”
She looks up at me, an uncertain—but not unhappy—gleam in her eyes. “Oh. Okay. Thanks, I guess?”
I really do almost lose my mind when Mollie puts her hand on my shoulder. I imagine that hand gliding up to my neck. She’d play with the hair at my nape, pulling me close. Her mouth an inch from mine, soft and hot and—
Hell no. No-no-no. That fantasy isn’t going any further.
Tearing my gaze from Mollie’s lush mouth, I step forward at the same time she does, our bodies colliding. The heaviness gathering in my core pulses, a searing shock of heat ripping through me at the feel of her tits pressed against my chest.
“What are you doing?” She looks up at me.
I look down, clenching my teeth. Her skin glows in the red and yellow stage lights. “I’m leading. Let me.”
“No one leads a dance anymore—”
“I do.” I search her eyes. “Let me.”
“Or what?”
“Or we’re gonna miss the rest of this song.”
She blinks. A funny expression comes over her face, like she wants to smile, but won’t let it happen. “Oh. Good point. Okay.”
I step forward again. This time, Mollie steps back. She’s half a beat too late on that step and the next one, but at least she’s letting me guide her, her gaze locked on our feet.
She steps on my toe and recoils, the hand she’s got on my shoulder fisting in my shirt. “Shit, sorry.”
“You’re all right. Follow my lead. It’s quick, quick”—I make the steps, firming my hold on her back so that she’s pressed against me—“slow, slow. There you go. Simple two-step.”
I wait for Mollie to pull back. Create some space between us.
She doesn’t.
Trouble.
“I feel like I’m Happy, the baby horse.” Mollie glances up at me, my heart skipping at the playful gleam in her eyes. “I don’t know how to use my legs yet, so you have to help me out.”