Page 46 of The Bachelor

And she was his person.

It was hard as hell not to own the right to walk up to her and kiss her in front of everyone in this bar. It made his balls tight and his dick hard and his nights sleepless. He knew that Avery wanted him, she just didn’t think she should act on that want because of her job.

She’d had an exciting but rough week. There had been tension on her face the times he’d been at Rusted Truck and he knew he wasn’t helping that just by his very presence.

The birthday text he’d sent her had been stupid. He had wanted her to understand that he had put himself way the fuck out there, but how the hell would she know that? She didn’t know his history. She didn’t know he didn’t announce to anyone it was his birthday, certainly not to a woman in a text. He didn’t like feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable, yet it confirmed that there was something special about Avery. This was different. She was different.

Her response had been what anyone would have written. It was friendly, sweet. Yet he had wanted more and he had realized something.

He had fallen in love with Avery.

The guy who didn’t want a relationship had been knocked clear on his ass by a redhead in powder blue cowboy boots with soulful eyes and a big heart.

Who hadn’t noticed him yet.

He had a feeling her reaction wasn’t going to be positive.

There was a woman eyeing him, and when he made eye contact, she smiled at him.

“Why aren’t you out there dancing?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I don’t dance.” Though he would if Avery asked him to.

“Too bad, because I was hoping to make my ex jealous.” She tilted her head slightly to the dance floor. “He’s out there now.”

Shane couldn’t tell who she was gesturing to, but he felt her pain. “I might be in a similar predicament. The woman I’m interested in is dancing too.”

“It sounds like we have a job to do then.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

He wasn’t interested. “No can do, sorry. I’m not looking to ruffle any feathers tonight.”

“That’s a shame. We’d look good out there together.”

He just shook his head as he turned to the bar to order a drink. He was staring too hard at Avery. She was going to spot him if he didn’t stop.

“Someone wants your attention,” the blonde said, raising her eyebrows up and down when he glanced over at her. “That didn’t take long.”

He turned her a little and saw Avery and Lauren. Avery had walked right up to them. Lauren was still dancing behind her. He put on an expression of surprise. “Hey, you two.”

“What are you doing here?” Avery asked.

The blonde drifted away. Avery looked annoyed. Lauren was grinning.

“Look at you two having some Friday night fun. I hope you’re celebrating, Avery. You deserve it.” He was determined to sound casual.

She glared at him. “Who was that girl?” she asked, looking around him to where his dance partner had walked away.

Jealousy. Interesting. “Huh? I don’t know. She was just standing next to me.”

Avery held her ground though. “She was talking to you.” She started rolling her hips to the music in a way that was distracting as hell. He would not have thought Avery was the woman to tear it up on the dance floor, but she had moves that were making his mouth dry.

And she was definitely jealous. “She asked me to dance. I said no. That there is a woman I’m interested in.”

She eyed him, her shoulders relaxing. “Oh. I hope you had a good birthday.”

It had been like the last twenty-something he had tolerated and nothing more. “It was fine. What’s your drink, Lauren?” he asked the other woman. “Let me order you ladies a drink.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she protested.

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