Page 29 of Flyboy

“Across one state?”

“Yep.”

They enjoyed their meal until Ivy looked almost finished. Colton could have eaten another cow, but he was determined to make this night about Ivy. And he didn’t want a too-full stomach. Ever since he’d considered holding her in his arms on the dance floor, a stop by the local club had become his number one objective for the night. Did the woman drive him crazy a little bit with her clipboard and her strict understanding of protocol and rules? Yes. Of course. But the more he spent time with her, when she had her hair down, so to speak, the more he thought he might be feeling the good kind of crazy.

Once he’d taken care of the bill and Ivy had complimented everyone on the great service and food, they made their way out to the car. He tried to keep his voice casual. “So, is that club still calling your name?” He glanced at her as nonchalantly as he could.

“Is it calling yours?” Her eyes were wide, hopeful.

So he took the plunge. “Ivy, I’ve been thinking of nothing else all night. We’ve got to go dancing. You game?”

“I’m so game.”

“Oh, this is awesome.” He held out his hand, she took it, and they both ran to the car.

He blared the music on the way over there. When they pulled in, the whole place seemed to be shaking with the sound of music inside. Good, Texas-sounding country. He grinned. “Now this is what I like to see.”

“You ready to show these folks what a real Texan looks like?”

“Yes, ma’am, I am. Hold tight.” He hopped out, ran around the car, and opened her door.

When they opened the front door, the place was not as packed as Colton feared. The music was just right. They were playingThe Git Up,and the whole room was involved in a line dance like he’d never seen. “Wow, this place is legit.”

Ivy stepped closer. “I love this.” Her feet moved. The energy pouring off of her seeped into him. They found a table, she left her shirt on the bench, and Colton found himself with a tank-topped beauty dragging him out to the dance floor like he was in college again. Life just didn’t get any better than this.

Chapter 12

Ivy’s whole body hummed. They’d gone through five line dances, the music just right, the company amazing. She felt like she’d just become best friends with a room full of strangers. Brazilians had a gift, honestly. They were the warmest, friendliest people she’d ever met. And her date . . . Was he her date? He was certainly acting like it. Had this gone beyond professional relations to something more? She found herself hoping so. Without thinking about it much, they’d been standing closer, dancing closer, and now, as the music slowed, she practically ran into his arms. About time.

As his strong, lean arms held her close, she melted even closer. He cradled one hand in his own and held his other large palm against the small of her back. “Now that I’ve got the most beautiful woman in the room right where I want her, this night might just have to go on a little longer than it’s used to.” His grin was warm, relaxed, his eyes sincere.

She tilted her head back and laughed. “I needed this. I really needed this night. I don’t care if it lasts forever.”

He twirled her around. “What’s this I hear about you knowing how to swing dance?”

“Dance competition team in college.”

“Really, now this is just about to get interesting. And country dance?”

“That too.”

“Leaps? Throws?”

“If you can throw me, I can do it.”

“Oh, I can throw you.” His eyes sparkled with challenge. She bit her lip. “Then what are we waiting for?”

He two-stepped to the side.

She followed.

He cupped their hands together and then spun her around.

The music picked up with the next song, and they started moving faster to the beat. He started easy. They rotated in circles, stepping from side to side, together and then back. Then he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her into the air.

She grinned, landing at his front.

“You ready?”

---