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caught Ace gazing steadily at her. So much for this being a covert operation.
There was no chance of them going unnoticed by Ace now. His gaze was friendly but not flirtatious. He stood, leaning slightly in her direction as Grace rose from Jack’s lap. His eyes were apologetic, and his smile was conciliatory.
“Rachel, I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. You’re very
beautiful, and I was overzealous earlier. I hope you’ll forgive me. I was out of line when I slipped you my business card last night as well. I suppose I was hoping things were not as serious between the two of you as they obviously are,” he said sincerely, every bit the gentleman.
Rachel smiled and sighed in relief. “Of course, Ace. No offense was taken. In other circumstances, I would have taken you up on your offer for a dance, but I’m very committed to Eli and no longer dance with anyone else.
Thank you for understanding that,” she replied, relieved to get on less personal footing with him.
“Eli is a very fortunate man. I wish you both the very best,” he said graciously before sitting back down. Grace hooked her arm in Rachel’s and pulled her toward the dance floor.
“Ethan is going to play some good songs for us. I’m glad you came over when you did. Ace feels badly about your confrontation in the hallway.
He mentioned it to me, and I told him a little about you and Eli. He has no desire to come between two people who are genuinely committed to each other. Some of the other women have been hovering, trying to attract his attention. He seems a little put off by women who approach him, so I’m going to try to introduce him to Rosemary Piper’s friend, Kathleen.
Remember her? Tall, voluptuous, sexy, and mysterious redhead? She’s not here with anyone tonight, so I’m going to invite her and Rosemary to the table.”
“Whoa, Grace. Wes and Evan are here tonight. Do you think that’s a good idea?” Rachel asked, chuckling at Grace’s attempts to match make for all the people she cared about.
“Hmph! Maybe it’s just the kick in the ass they need. Wes and Evan didn’t bring her here tonight, and if they’ve laid claim to her, maybe they ought to let her in on it, ya think?” she asked sarcastically. “Sometimes I think those two couldn’t find their asses with both hands and a road map,
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much less find true love when it’s staring them straight in their handsome faces.”
“You’re going to get yourself in trouble with your men over this if you’re not careful.”
Grace smiled mischievously at her. “Yeah, and if I play my cards right, I might even get a spanking out of it.” Grace laughed out loud when Rachel’s eyes and mouth opened wide in shock.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Rachel wasn’t even sure why she was surprised.
“By the right hand, there’s nothing I’d enjoy more,” Grace replied, giggling and blushing as she blew a kiss to Ethan then looked at Rachel and winked. Rachel’s eyes got big, and her lips popped open in surprise. She should have known.
She mouthed silently, “Ethan?”
Grace nodded dreamily. “Baby, yes! That man owns me body and soul.
They all do. You can ask me any question you want to about that in private,” she said to Rachel as “Sweet Home Alabama” started to play.
Grace laughed and got caught up in the music as they took the floor.
Rachel glanced over toward the front and found Eli standing halfway between the front door and the dance floor. Anyone watching him might have thought he was standing in the midst of the club, surveying the tables and the dance floor to see if all was well security-wise. But once she began to move, his eyes rested only on her, watching her move to the beat of the song. As she turned, she made eye contact with him and was warmed by his gray gaze even from that distance. She delighted in it, pleased that he enjoyed watching her dance so much.
The Dancing Pony mostly played country and western dance tunes, but they liked to shake things up sometimes and play some rock and popular music as well as some of the popular line dance tunes. Once Skynard was finished, Duffy’s “Mercy” began to play. The mood changed on the dance floor, and couples began to gyrate to the heavy dance beat, Grace and Rachel included.
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Eli crossed his arms over his chest, which swelled with pride in his woman’s beauty as she moved. She paid little attention to the other couples, staying by Grace as they both danced for the men who watched them. Eli glanced up at the DJ booth and saw Ethan in a similar stance, his eyes trained with intensity on Grace, causing Eli to smile.