Page 25 of Healing Her Cowboys
Chapter Twelve
“Why don’t we go to Rocky’s?” Brik said after his exercise session with Reese. As much as he tried to turn it into another fun session, she held her ground and made him work out.
He grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator and handed one to her.
“Who’s Rocky?” she asked, taking the bottle.
“Rocky’s,” Atlas said before grabbing his own water and joining them at the kitchen table. “It’s a bar we go to. Not too crowded, since it’s mostly locals.”
“A local bar.” Reese twisted her water bottle on the tabletop as she thought about what they’d said. “Wait. Are you asking me out on a date?”
“Isn’t that what couples do these days?” Brik asked.
“Sure, but there’s three of us,” she said. “Wouldn’t a date be awkward?”
Brik could see the nervousness building up in her. It was different when it was just them on the ranch, but he needed her to know he wasn’t ashamed to take her out.
“You’re with us now, Reese,” Brik said. “I don’t care who sees us.”
“Agreed,” Atlas said. “Besides, the people at Rocky’s know us. They wouldn’t dare make you uncomfortable.”
Brik nodded. “If they do, we’ll kick their asses out of there.”
Reese broke into laughter. “Please don’t kick anyone’s ass for me. The last thing I want is to start a fight. I’ll go if you promise to stay out of trouble.”
Brik wanted to say no promises were guaranteed if anyone messed with her, but he wanted her calm and happy so she could enjoy a good night out with them.
“Fine. I’ll behave if they do.”
She must have known that was the best she was going to get out of him, because she agreed without further protest.
When she came down in a red dress that hugged her curves and showed legs for days, Brik was tempted to drag her back upstairs. It showed a hint of her chest, but he knew the full mounds that hid underneath. She was going to make that night hard on them by wearing that dress.
Her black boots and matching sweater completed the look, but even a blind man could tell she was gorgeous with or without the dress.
The clouds stirred and seemed to darken as they drove to the bar. It looked like a storm was fast approaching, but Brik didn’t let is dampen his good mood. If it rained a bit, so be it if Reese was with them.
Rocky’s was lively, which was common for a Friday night. Still, it wasn’t full enough to make him and Atlas uneasy, which theyboth appreciated, since they hated enormous crowds in small spaces. It was just one effect of coming back home. They were always on guard over their surroundings and aware of all exits in the building. Just because they were out of the military didn’t mean being a soldier ever left them.
Country music from the live band floated in the air and mingled with the hum of laughter. People filled in the tables and booths, while others took their fun to the dance floor.
They kept Reese close to them, making sure they were the only two people she touched.
“Wow! This place seems like a good time,” Reese said.
“I think we all deserve to have some fun tonight,” Atlas said. He pointed over to the bar. “First round is on me.”
“Good. I get her first,” Brik said.
“Get me first?” she asked.
“I get your first dance.” Brik chuckled and pulled her over to the dance floor.
“Okay, but you know I’m not great at dancing with others.”
“As long as you’re next to me, I don’t care how you dance.”
Reese grinned and let him lead her onto the dance floor. When the music started, he moved her around to the beat that had them gliding around the room. They swayed and twirled to the upbeat music until her laughter mixed with his as they kept pace with the rhythm.
