Page 10 of Her Filthy Cowboy

I release his hand and he staggers back, cradling it to his chest. With one last glare, he turns and pushes his way through the crowd, then disappears out the door.

I watch him go, the tension slowly draining from my shoulders. Behind me, I hear Jace snort. “What a fucking tool. You good, man?”

I nod, not taking my eyes off the door. “Yeah. Thanks for the backup.”

“Anytime.” Luke claps me on the back. “You coming back to the table?”

I hesitate, glancing over at Savannah. She’s watching me with an unreadable expression, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. I can’t tell if she’s pissed or grateful or both.

“You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute.”

They exchange a knowing look but don’t argue. As they head back to our booth, I turn to face Savannah fully.

She glares at me. “I had that handled, you know.”

I snort. “Didn’t look like it from where I was standing.”

“I don’t need you swooping in to save me like some damsel in distress.” She jabs a finger into my chest. “I’m not one of your buckle bunnies fawning for your attention.”

“Trust me, I’m very aware of that.” I catch her hand before she can pull away and hold it against my chest. “You’re far too stubborn to ever make things easy.”

“Then why get involved? I told you, I can take care of myself.” But despite her harsh tone, she doesn’t pull her hand from my grip.

“Because no one gets to touch what’s mine.”

Savannah’s eyes widen and she sucks in a sharp breath. For a moment, neither of us move. The air feels charged between us, thick with all the words we aren’t saying.

Her gaze drops to where my hand is holding hers against my chest. I know she can feel the pounding of my heart beneath her palm. It’s racing just from being this close to her.

“I’m not yours,” she whispers.

“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.” I brush my thumb over her knuckles. “But we both know the truth.”

I pluck my black Stetson cowboy hat off my head and set it on hers. The brim dips low over her eyes, but I can still see her biting her lip to hide a smile.

Something primal and possessive surges through me at the sight of her wearing something that means so much to me.

Savannah reaches up to touch the brim, her fingers brushing against mine. “Brody, I...” Conflict swims in her eyes. “I don’t know what this is between us. But I’m not... I can’t just...”

“Dance with me.”

Savannah blinks up at me. “What?”

I nod toward the small dance floor, where a few couples sway to a slow country song. “I asked you to dance, baby. Please. I’m sorry for making a scene earlier. Let me make it up to you. Dance with me.”

Savannah hesitates for just a moment, her eyes searching mine.

“Fine, one dance,” she says softly. “But that’s all you get.”

I grin. “Sweetheart, one dance is all I need.”

Chapter Four

SAVANNAH

All eyes areon us as Brody takes my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor. I adjust his cowboy hat on my head, secretly loving how it feels.

When I came out tonight, the last thing I expected was to end up in Brody’s arms.

---