Page 79 of Fix Me Up, Cowboy
The music changes to a song Aubrey and I practiced dancing to earlier.
She grabs my arm before I’m able to thank Sophie and Violet. “Okay, let’s show them how a Beverly Hills cowgirl dances. And Austin, you’re coming with us.” To me she explains, “There’s a benefit to being friends with the sheriff. Once the scumbags see us dancing with him, they’ll think twice about hitting on us.”
“Wow, way to go, Aubrey, making me feel used,” he says with a laugh.
She backhands him on the chest. “Oh, quit your complaining, big boy. You know I won’t be crimping your style. The badge bunnies will still find you irresistible.”
And with that, she drags me onto the dance floor with Austin trailing behind us.
We get into formation and move with the music.
Aubrey’s right about one thing—Austin is a great dancer.
I follow what everyone does, only messing up a few times in the beginning. My limp is hard to miss, but no one seems to care. Everyone is too busy having a good time to notice.
We stay on the dance floor for several more songs, then return to the group to get drinks.
Troy, Noah, and Ryan are there when we arrive.
I hug my cousin. “Hey, you made it. I wasn’t sure if this would be your scene.”
“Since when is it yours?”
“There’s a first for everything.” I release him.
“I’m impressed,” Ryan says to me. “Nice dance moves. Have you done that before?”
“Aubrey’s a great teacher.”
Noah remains speechless for a second, then wraps a hand around the back of my neck and crashes his mouth against mine.
For our first kiss in front of his brothers and friends and my cousin.
And there goes my claim that nothing’s going on between us. Sophie and Violet won’t believe me after this.
That’s my last thought as his kiss consumes me, making me hotter than when I was kicking up my heels on the dance floor. My arms go around his neck, and his other hand rests on my lower back, pushing its way through the fringe of my top.
I’m vaguely aware of the music as his tongue dances with mine.
By the time we finally pull apart, the last strains of the song are playing.
“Hi, I’m happy to see you, too.” My voice is so soft, I’m not sure if he even hears me.
“Love the outfit. The shorts look great.”
Even though he doesn’t say the words, I know that he’s referring to the scars and my newfound self-confidence.
“Thanks!” I reach up and kiss him. It’s not the same consuming kiss he just gave me. It’s just the brushing of lips, but it still has my pulsing racing like a horse in the Kentucky Derby.
A new song begins. One I recognize from this afternoon at Aubrey’s. She’s already dragging Austin and Ryan onto the dance floor with her.
I grab Noah’s hand. “C’mon, Cowboy. You’re going to prove that you can live up to the reputation Aubrey told me about.”
“What reputation is that?”
“The one where you’re a great dancer.”
We take our positions next to our friends on the dance floor. Noah effortlessly performs the moves, his body having long since memorized them. The pride on his face as I replicate the dance steps stirs an emotion I haven’t experienced in a while. Not since my first steps after the accident.
