Page 67 of The Story We Wrote

Boone ended up taking a seat at the bar while Penny decided it was time to “show off” on the dance floor. She and I danced together like we had the last time we were at The Tequila Cowboy. A drink in our hands and nothing but good vibes. Penny and I swayed our hips to the sound of “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” by Big & Rich. Boone watched me with an intense stare, sipping his Jack and Coke. The song was an ironic choice considering I was wearing my cowboy’s hat.

I saw his eyes darken from my spot on the dance floor. It was taking everything in him not to spring off that seat and have his body against mine. I loved teasing him like this because I knewexactlyhow I’d be paying for it later.

Blowing him a kiss, Penny wrapped her arms around me and twirled me around so my back was now facing Boone.

“You’re driving that man mad!” She giggled into my ear. I tilted my head back and laughed.

“Isn’t that the point?” I replied.

After some more dancing and laughing Penny and I decided to call it quits. I only had two drinks and a shot all night, which meant I was perfectly sober by the time we decided to leave. Boone on the other hand was not. When I approached the bar again, I saw 4 empty shot glasses and two empty rock glasses next to him while he was mid-conversation with Mac.

“There they are!” Mac said. “You two were a hit. I don’t think anyone in this place had their eyes anywhere else besides that dance floor.”

I looked at Boone, who had a smirk on his face, and his eyes were half closed. He was completely drunk because the next thing he did was sweep me off my feet, literally.

Boone bent down and threw me over his shoulder. “Boone!” I squealed, trying to make sure my ass wasn’t out. Boone took his hat back and placed it to cover my dress from riding up.

“I’m bringing you home,” he grunted, walking me out the door. Before it shut, I waved at Penny, who stood there, thrusting her hips at me. “But, I can’t drive so you’re the one getting us home.” He plopped me down next to the driver’s side door.

“Me?” I said in surprise, pointing at myself. “You wantmeto driveyourtruck home?”

“How else are we going to get back so I can finally put my hands all over you?” He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a set of keys. Boone grabbed my hand and placed it in my palm. Opening the door, he motioned for me to climb in. “After you, my beautiful girlfriend.”

I climbed in, a smile forming from ear to ear. Boone Cassidy trusted me enough to get us home in his precious truck.

Thirty Two

Boone

AspenFuckingWestgrove was driving my truck, and she looked damn good doing it. I could tell she was nervous, but I had faith that she would get us back safely. Plus, I didn’t have much of a choice because I was drunk; how the tables had turned.

Last time we were at The Tequila Cowboy, it was me picking her up and driving her drunk ass home. This time, she’s driving me back safe. No woman has ever driven my truck before, not even my mom. The Chevy was my first big purchase after I saved enough money from working on the ranch. This truck was my pride and joy.

Watching her dance like that at the bar drove me insane, and seeing every guy latch their eyes on her made me proud. I wasn’t the jealous type, but I had to admit that seeing the men want to step in to dance with her did cause a pang of jealousy.

Every guy at the bar who made a slight move towards the dance floor was stopped by me with a hand on the shoulder and a stern shake of my head. I let the rest watch her, so the whole damn bar knew what they were missing out on. That woman wasmineand I’d make sure the entire town knew it. You’d think her wearing my hat would’ve been enough. Throwing her over my shoulder and taking her out hopefully made that message loud and clear.

“I like seeing you driving my truck,” I said. My filter was nearly nonexistent at this point. I started to hiccup, which meant I usually had too much to drink. We were at the bar for about three hours, it was a little past midnight now.

“You alright?” she asked, taking her eyes off the road briefly to check on me. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel. She was so cute. I smiled at her, my eyes slowly closing. I was really tired all of a sudden; I needed to just rest my eyes. My head rested against the window. The cold felt good against my skin. My hat was askew on my head; I didn’t care.

I must’ve fallen asleep because I felt a pair of dainty hands grabbing my bicep, trying their best to help me from the truck. My head snapped up, waking fully. I saw Aspen standing in front of me on the ground, the truck door was open, and she was bracing herself to get me out.

“I can climb out, Darling. I just needed a nap.” Aspen took a step back and had her hands ready out front to catch me if I fell. Like she could even catch me. I had nearly a foot on her and probably sixty pounds. My boots hit the dirt, kinda hard if I was being honest. I was able to steady myself. I placed my arm around her shoulder and walked her to her cabin.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked, pausing us at the bottom of her steps.

Turning, I took her face in my hands. “I don’t want to sleep alone. It’s late, and I’m scared.” I gave a fake pout, hopefully being convincing enough that the dark actually scared me. Aspen laughed and took my hand to guide me up the steps. I stumbled again but kept myself from falling on my ass.

“We better get you inside before you fall and I can’t get you back up.” She fiddled with the key while I stood, using the door frame to hold me steady. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her rosy cheeks. Her soft skin was like porcelain shining under the stars. The way my heart felt around this woman was like I ran a marathon.

Aspen motioned for me to go in first, and I did. She followed behind me, shutting the door with a soft click. Wasting no time, I went to her couch and plopped down. Aspen was in the kitchen because I heard the faucet running. She approached me with a glass of water and some goldfish crackers. I fucking loved goldfish. Happily, I took the bag and drink from her hand, chugging the water down before having a snack.

“You take such good care of me,” I said, smiling with a handful of crackers in my mouth. Aspen crouched down, pulling up my pant leg to take off my boot one at a time. “Wait, what are you doing?” I asked.

“We have to get you ready for bed. Eat your snack,” she hushed, putting both my boots to the side. Aspen was beautiful, inside and out. How did a man like me get so lucky? One so out of touch with relationships. One with the history I had with women.

She decided to sit next to me on the couch, curling her legs up towards her chest. I was enjoying these crackers. Staring at her, I said the only thing on my mind. “You amaze me.”

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