Part 1: No Regrets(Divine Creek Ranch 2)(39)
“I would prefer you right next to me in my bed.” He slipped his fingers through the hair at her nape. When he was with her like this, it was so tempting to say yes, but she remembered her parents and tried to keep their
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opinion of him in the forefront of her mind. This move was as much for his sake as it was for hers.
“Eli, you know I’ll be over all the time. The same would go for you. My door would always be open to you. My parents’ opinion of you is very important to me.”
Changing the subject, Eli said, “Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?”
“Yes, I went once with Mike for a short ride. He rode like a grandma, and we never got over twenty miles per hour. It was very disappointing.”
She laughed, remembering him giving in to her begging and pleading. Rosa had finally talked him into it. As slow as he went, she should have saved her breath.
“Well, I would be worried for your safety, too. But I’d like to take you for a ride out to the lake on Sunday. By then you’ll be all settled in next door. Would you like that?”
“I would, very much.”
* * * *
Eli held her in his arms as they danced across the floor and tried to steady his breathing so she wouldn’t know she affected him like he was a teenage boy. He wanted to kick himself for pushing her so hard about moving in permanently. He knew in his heart it was only a matter of time before she’d be ready to make a permanent change in status, but she needed this time, and he needed her to see he would honor her parents’ wishes.
Holding her like this and spending this time with her was so sweet. He grinned, knowing what he owed Mike for the extra-long break. He looked over her head and noticed looks from some of the women and girls who had approached him tonight. Some looked bitter or disappointed, but he also noticed a few who smiled at him as he danced with Rachel, admiring them as a couple. Not all of them had been loose women. Some might have been genuinely attracted, and he hoped there was someone else here who would feel the same way about them that he felt about Rachel.
He ran his hands down her back, coming to rest on her waist. He nodded to Brice Huvell when he glided past him with another of the girls from the large table who had visited with Eli earlier in the evening. It was good to see
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the little dude finally score a few hits. The smile on the face of the girl he danced with was genuine.
Another in a series of slow love songs played. Eli looked up in the DJ’s booth and saw Ethan watching the dance floor. It was then that Eli realized Ethan was dictating what songs were being played for Grace’s benefit so that she could enjoy a few slow dances with Jack, Adam, and Ethan. The look in Ethan’s eyes as he watched Grace move was tender and protective, giving her what she needed.
Eli felt totally outclassed by him, by the three of them, in the way they loved their woman. The way they raised the standard, though, gave him something to aspire to with Rachel. He wanted her to feel loved the way that Grace felt loved.
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Chapter Ten
Eli noticed a man watching them from a corner table by the bar. At first, he thought he was mistaken, but as they moved in a slow circle, he watched from the corner of his eye. The man’s eyes never left the two of them. Eli’s senses sharpened as he continued to watch the man. He was very tall, though not as tall as Eli, and very lean, hardened, and tough.
Feeling as territorial as the wolf his surname brought to mind, Eli lifted his head from nuzzling Rachel’s ear and kissing her cheek. He made direct, unmistakable eye contact with the tall stranger. He kept his body relaxed and never missed a step in the dance, but in the way he enveloped Rachel protectively with his own body, he sent a clear unmistakable message.
Mine.
The tall stranger gave a slow challenging grin to Eli from across the room, and Eli wondered what the fuck this was all about. Did Rachel know him? The man continued to stare at them, for all the world looking as though he simply relaxed with a beer and watched the crowd, when in reality, he was observing them.
“Eli? What’s the matter?” He looked down into her concerned eyes. He thought he’d done a better job of hiding his reaction from her. “Is there trouble brewing?” She looked around her.
“No, everybody is fine. Someone I’ve never seen before has been
staring at us for the last few minutes, watching the two of us. He’s in the corner by Ethan’s table, black T-shirt and leather jacket. Do you know him?” Eli asked as he slowly turned her so she could look over at the man.
“No, I’ve never seen him before. Which one of us do you think he’s staring at?” she asked as she snuggled in closer to him. He couldn’t stop his soft growl of gratification as she snuggled closer to him, seeking him.