Page 31 of Stick Around,
The song ended, and we found ourselves at the edge of the dance floor, both breathing hard. Quinn’s cheeks were flushed, wisps of hair curling damply at her temples. Under the lights, her skin glowed.
“You’ve been holding out on me.” She pressed a hand to her chest, catching her breath. “Youcanactually have fun.”
“Don’t tell anyone.” I wiped sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
Line dancing was the one activity besides riding where I could shut off the constant checklist running through my brain. Here, there was only the rhythm and the steps. I really did need to do it more often.
Quinn laughed, the sound barely audible over the noise but somehow cutting straight through to my core. She leaned closer, her breath warm against my ear.
“Your secret’s safe with me, Spreadsheet King.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Spreadsheet King?”
“Kellan showed me your chicken egg production chart. Color-coded tabs and everything.” She bumped her shoulder against mine. “Very sexy.”
My mouth went dry at the word “sexy” coming from her lips, and I swallowed hard. “Organization is underrated.”
“So is letting loose once in a while.” She nodded toward the dance floor where a new line dance was starting. “Look at them having the time of their lives without a single Excel formula.”
“Bold assumption. That guy in the blue shirt could be a data analyst.”
Quinn squinted at the man doing an enthusiastic hip thrust. “Hmm. Accountant, maybe. Too much rhythm for data analysis.”
I grinned despite my best efforts not to. We watched as the dancers turned in perfect synchronization to a difficult line dance, and while I could have joined, I was content just standing there with Quinn, our arms occasionally brushing.
“What other hidden talents are you keeping from me?” Her eyes were still on the dance floor.
“If I told you, they wouldn’t be hidden.” It would be better if I showed her, and they definitely weren’t appropriate.
The song transitioned into a slower song that wasn’t a line dance, and the crowd shifted, couples forming while singlesdrifted toward the bar. The familiar opening notes of an old country ballad filled the room, and Quinn’s eyes met mine.
There were a lot of things I should have done when it came to this woman, but walking away when she looked at me like that wasn’t one of them.
I held out my hand. “Want to dance?”
She hesitated for half a heartbeat before placing her palm against mine. I gently tugged her closer until we stood chest to chest, aware of every point where our bodies connected.
Her free hand landed uncertainly on my shoulder, and I settled my palm against her lower back, careful to keep it respectfully high even though the thoughts running through my head were anything but respectful.
The scent of her shampoo wrapped around me as she rested her cheek against my shoulder. “You’re good at this.”
“Just counting beats.” I adjusted my grip slightly, drawing her imperceptibly closer.
“I didn’t mean dancing.” She pulled back enough to look at me, eyes bright with amusement and something else. My control frayed as her lips parted slightly.
“Quinn.” Her name slipped out, thick with a hunger I was trying damn hard to swallow.
“Hmm?” Her gaze dropped to my mouth, then back up.
I dipped my head, my lips hovering over hers. Waiting. Giving her every chance to pull away or to laugh it off.
Instead, she closed the gap between us.
The first touch of her lips was soft and tentative. My hand pressed firmly against her lower back, drawing her closer as I deepened the kiss. Everything and everyone around us faded except for the heat between us and the soft sound she made against my mouth.
My fingers trailed up her back to tangle in her hair, cradling the back of her head as I angled her face for better access. Herhands slid around my neck, and she pressed herself fully against me. The contact sent a jolt of electricity down my spine, and I broke the kiss, both of us breathing hard.
The song ended, the last notes fading as reality rushed back in. She was leaving soon, but she deserved more than a one-night stand. Not only that, but I was fairly certain Kellan’s crush extended beyond the physical.
