Page 24 of Chasing Bandit

"You feel amazing in my arms," Franklin whispered in my ear. We continued to sway but my body was now stiffer with fear.

I had nothing to worry about. I wasn't doing anything wrong; Wylie and I hadn't exchanged real vows or made a genuine commitment to each other. We certainly weren't in love, and this wasn’t cheating. But just sensing his presence put me on edge, causing me to step away from Franklin and desire space.

The announcer over by the mechanical bull riding called for riders to join in, and I used it as an excuse to tell Franklin I was going to get another drink.

I slipped out of the throngs of warm bodies on the dance floor, heading towards the ring, when a hand clamped down on my waist and pulled me firmly against his chest. His scent enveloped me, his front against my back, holding me close. I hated how my body instinctively leaned into his with relief that he had found me. But I didn't surrender without a protest, especially when he spoke in that low, gravelly voice in my ear.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Stevie?” he spun me around so that our bodies were flush, my breasts brushing against his chest now and my hips held tightly in his vice-like grip.

He was wearing just a plain, white t-shirt that was a size too tight and showed off the rippling muscles he was restraining. His green eyes pierced through me as he stared down at me, and I swore he'd grown another inch in both anger and height.

“Going to go ride on the mechanical bull,” I whispered.

He shifted back just enough to keep his grip on my hips while he scanned me from head to toe.

“You’re wearing a fucking dress, Stevie.”

“And?”

He sighed like I was exhausting him, and it annoyed me the way he acted as if I was burden. “If anyone is getting a glimpse of your pussy tonight, it’s me, now come on and dance with me before you go and do something stupid.”

He took hold of my wrist and guided me back onto the dance floor, where he enveloped me in a firm embrace. I couldn't discern if his grip was to prevent me from escaping to the mechanical bull or simply to keep me near, but I despised how my body responded, craving his closeness despite my conflicted feelings. Franklin hadn't held me this closely and even through the thick, jean fabric he wore, I could feel his rigid length pressing against my stomach.

“Seriously?” I asked, whispering in his ear.

“I’m a man, your tits are out and I'm thinking about you riding a bull. I’m going to get hard.”

I laughed softly as his hands lifted slightly from my waist like he trusted me not to run now.

“Why were you dancing with Franklin?"

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I retorted.

He hummed in response like he wanted to say something more but was silent instead.

“I think Millie was looking for you.” I shot back.

His eyes narrowed as he searched my face. “You’re jealous?”

I rolled my eyes, “Not in the least bit. Just heard she was excited to see you tonight.”

His eyes continued to search mine before he threw his head back in laughter. “I knew you could do sexy, Stevie, seen you naked enough with your legs spread wide and pussy bare. Also been at the receiving end of your anger a few times so know you can do that too. But I never thought you’d be able to do cute. And a jealous Stevie is really fucking cute.”

I shoved him backwards to break free from his grip and stop our dancing. “You’re full of it, Wylie. I’ll dance with whomever I want whenever I want, and I don't care who you talk to.”

Wylie maintained that irritating smirk, as though he harbored a secret that irked me enough to want to wipe it off his face.

"Oh, come on, we were having a nice moment, Bandit," he teased, reaching for my hand to draw me closer, but then froze, his grip tightening around my left hand. His thumb and forefinger found my bare ring finger, squeezing a little too hard.

“Stevie, where the hell is my mother’s ring?” he growled.

Chapter 19 – Stevie

“It’s back at Ashwood, safe, don’t worry.” I reassured him.

“It should be on your finger,” he growled again.

“It's not like you’re wearing yours.”

---