My breath hitched at the sincerity of his comment. Who knew what changed his mind from last week. “I’m not big on the trust thing, either, and after last week…you made it seem like you could turn it off just like that.” I snapped my fingers. “I get that we aren’t supposed to be serious, but you were so cold. I just wanted to know what things were like when you were a kid. You didn’t just shut me out, you ended it. That’s not how it works—this is a two-way street.”
His gaze searched mine and we were standing close enough that I could see the tiny flecks of gold in his eyes. “I’m pretty sure I’ve used the word stupid a couple of time. I–I’m not sure how to make it up to you.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know either.”
I thought he might walk away. Then he smiled, and it was like a riptide pulling me under. “How about, will you dance with me?”
I stared at him, wondering why it had taken him a full week to say this. But his sincerity spoke volumes. What could one dance hurt? “What about the no dancing rule? I thought your mother scarred you for life.”
“Lainey, when it comes to you, I’m breaking all my own rules.” He held out his hand. “Please.”
I pushed my empty beer across the bar and grabbed his hand. “Fine, Starr. I’ll give you one dance.”
He smiled. “That’s all I need.” He led me to the dance floor. A fast country song boomed in the room, the beat vibrating through my bones. Brogan grabbed both my hands and took the lead. Within the chorus of the song, I’d been spun, dipped, and sufficiently wooed.
His warm hands on my hips, the heartfelt look in his eyes—it was more than I could handle. Call me stupid, but if he was really serious about giving this another shot, I was willing to give it one more try.
I laughed as he pulled me up from the final dip. “Can I write a letter to your mom thanking her for putting you in dance classes?”
He shook his head and smiled. “You could, but I wouldn’t know the address.”
He said it so matter-of-factly that it made my heart ache, because I couldn’t imagine a life without my mother.
At the end of the song I was out of breath, and I didn’t know if it was from being this close to him or the fact that no matter how many miles I ran, dancing always seemed harder on my body.
His heated gaze pierced through me, and he ran his tongue over his top lip. “Do you want to get out of here?”
I searched his eyes, still slightly apprehensive. I needed to be totally sure before I’d put myself out there again. “Depends.”
He cocked his head. “On?”
“Are you really ready to let me in?”
“I just said I am.”
I frowned. “Words are cheap, Starr. Someone with your business sense knows this.”
He leaned closer to me and said, “I can’t really show you in a bar, when a bed is far more suitable.” His breath ghosted over my skin, and a shudder rippled through me.
Well, crap. He got me. An offer I couldn’t refuse. Not with the promise of soft sheets and our bodies pressed together.
“That sounds slightly more convincing,” I mused.
“I think my mouth could do some additional persuading if given the chance.”
Hello, neglected downstairs. Did you hear that? Without wanting to look too eager, I managed a nod. “I need to check in with Zoey first.”
I scanned the floor and spotted her with Jace. She was grinding into him, and her lips pulled into a smile when she saw me.
“You having a good time?” I nodded toward Jace’s hands firmly planted on her hips.
“Very good.” She looked between Brogan and me. “Can I say the same for you?”
A flush filled my cheeks. “Yes.”
“If you need to…you know…get out of here, I’m perfectly fine,” she said.
“I don’t know.” I hated leaving her at the bar by herself, even if she was with Brogan’s friends.
“My driver can take you home,” Brogan offered to Zoey.
Her eyes lit up. “You have a driver?”
Brogan smirked. “Yes. Jace will make sure that no one bothers you, and you’ll get home safe. Right Jace?” He leveled a serious look at Jace, who nodded.
I turned to him. “Thank you.” The fact that he was willing to make sure my friend got home okay made my heart beat sideways in my chest. “Are you okay with that, Zoey?”
“I’m just going to have a couple more drinks with them, and then I’ll have the driver take me home.”