Million Dollar Cowboy (Cupid, Texas #5)(46)

"What are we talking about?"

"How you are unequivocally, remarkably gorgeous, and that happens to be the least interesting thing about you."

She was flattered, but she didn't want him to know. "How many woman have you used that line on?"

"It's not a line." He paused for a long beat. "Not with you."

Her heart flipped. How she wanted to believe him. Instead, she changed the subject. "Is it weird?"

"Is what weird?"

"You and Vivi."

"Why should it be weird?"

"Um . . . I dunno. Maybe because she dumped you for your dad."

"Ten years ago."

"Vivi and your dad-"

"Let's not talk about them. We have such a short time together. Let's enjoy ourselves."



       
         
       
        

"You're right," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and dancing closer. It was her only brother's wedding day. Be in the moment. Celebrate!

He tightened his arms around her, and she rested her head on his shoulders, let the music sweep her away. Enjoyed the magic. Savored the experience. Tried not to have any expectations beyond the sights, sound, smells, touch.

She inhaled him. He smelled so good.

His head was bowed, her chin tilted up. Looking into his eyes, her heart pounded. He held on to her hand, his grip both tender and firm. His other arm was resting at her waist, just above her hip.

Their bodies were close, not scandalously close for the crowd they were in, but still, Kaia was certain someone would say something about how close she was dancing with Ridge.

Let 'em talk. Tonight, she didn't give a damn.

They swayed to the music, gliding as if they'd been born to dance together. He interlaced his fingers with hers.

His bow tie was in the direct line of her vision. It looked so whimsical, that satiny black bow against his tanned skin.

The tip of her shoe caught on a crack in the cement floor. Her knee bobbled and she stumbled.

"Gotcha," he said, his arms going around her completely, hugging her tight.

"Why look." She laughed. "This time you saved me."

Her blood was churning and her brain was humming and she just knew she was going to do something very stupid tonight, but she didn't care.

His breath smelled of cinnamon mints, and heated her cheek. His intoxicating bay rum and cardamom scent filled every space in her head.

He was hope and adventure and pure sex on two legs. She raised her eyes to his as if he was the answer to every prayer she'd ever prayed.

The music stopped. The band taking a break. People drifted away. Heading for the bar or more wedding cake during the lull.

Kaia and Ridge stood welded to the dance floor, anchored by each other's gaze. He was staring at her as enrapt as she was.

It was heady. Knowing she'd tacked down his attention. He looked slightly breathless, as if he'd run to catch a bus, and his hair was tousled, and yet, he was handsomer than ever.

Transfixed, Kaia gulped.

What was happening to her? Why these feelings? Why now? Why Ridge?

She knew why Cinderella fled when the clock struck midnight. It wasn't just because her coach was turning into a pumpkin. There was much more to it than that. Old Cindy had been downright terrified by the promise of possibilities of what might happen if she did not run away.

Kaia's heart thundered and a panic bloomed in her chest. She had to leave him before she did something irreversible. "Thanks for the dance," she croaked. "It was . . . fun, but um . . . I gotta go." 

"You're leaving?" Disappointment tinged his eyes.

"Um, yeah." She started backing up. "I gotta get up early."

"Tomorrow is Sunday."

So it was. "I have lots of animals to feed. It takes time." Okay, lame excuse-she acknowledged the lameness. She'd already paid a neighbor to take care of the critters while she was away.

He moved toward her.

"Bye," she chirped, waved a hand, spun around, and took off, her airway constricted and shots of bright white lights whirling before her eyes.

She pushed her way through the throng, and all she could see were strangers, even though she knew almost all of them. Faces blurred, dropped out of focus. Voices grew louder, amplified inside her head, filled with mindless, numbing chatter. She stumbled again, regained her balance, felt her heart chug.

Antsy to get away from Ridge, from her subterranean feelings, Kaia ran.

But she couldn't outrun herself.

She raced into the shadows, headed for where she'd left her Tundra parked outside the chapel. Stopped when she got there, saw numerous vehicles surrounding it. She wasn't getting out of here without making half a dozen people move their cars. That meant tracking them down.