Page 23 of Raised On It

Not that I’m in any kind of rush. This woman is the real deal, and I have no intention of messing things up, which is why I seize the moment before her hand has completely left mine, lifting it above her head and twirling her in a circle in front of me.

My man, Chris Stapleton, does me a solid and starts to sing a slow tune made for cuddling up real close on the dance floor.

“Dance with me.”

She doesn’t have to answer with words. The squeeze of her hand, and the bite of her lip along with the sparkle in her eye and the crackle in the air tell me she would like nothing more.

When I twirl her out in front of me—only to bring her back against my chest—her hands instantly find my shoulders, and she says, “Hi.” I know she’s right where she wants to be.

“I see you were so desperate to get to know me that you befriended my Crew.”

“If that’s what you need to tell yourself, then you go right ahead. I just happened to meet them at the salon today, and we hit it off. Besides, you don’t seem too unhappy to see me here.”

“Happier than a puppy with two peters.”

Our slow sway is interrupted by her laughter.

“First, a cat’s ass and now, a puppy’s peters. Do you have some strange inappropriate fascination with domesticated animals?”

“If it keeps that smile on your face, I sure do.”

Once again, her eyes light up.

It’s crazy how good it feels to make her smile.

“I really like your friends.”

“Me too.”

“They’re a part of The Crew you were telling me about?”

“They sure are. They’re my family. I’d do anything for them.”

“And you’ve never dated any of them?”

“Somebody sounds a little jealous.”

“Not jealous, just curious.”

“Well, you can tuck that little green monster of yours away. They’ve always been like sisters to me.”

“Cool.”

We look like we’re at prom with the way her hands are around my neck and my hands wrap around her waist. I’m afraid to change our position, though. I don’t want to scare her away, so prom it is.

The song is over way too soon. The legendary George Strait comes on, and I start right in on a leisurely two-step before she can even think about her escape.

“Whoa, what are we doing? I have no idea how to do this.”

“It’s easy. Follow my lead and just remember it’s quick, quick, slow, slow,” I explain as I take the steps.

She instantly looks down at her feet.

“Eyes up.”

Her head pops up as instructed, and those soulful eyes of hers are wide and full of life.

“There you go. Just look at me and trust I have you.”