Page 40 of Every Single Wildflower
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “You taught me how to half step.”
He changes our direction, spinning us to an area of the dance floor that’s less populated.
“You seem upset.”
I shake my head, my eyes still scanning the crowd. Like every single person here will see right through me if they look our way. Like they’ll see my feelings are still controlled by this man who has no idea what he does to me. That he even still affects me.
“Not upset.” I say, smiling at Penelope as she walks by. I offer a light tone. “You watching me, Shep?”
He frowns at the name. I’ve never called him Shep. “I know you,” he murmurs, his lips brushing over my forehead. “For one, you never call me Shep," he says the words with a scoff.
“No, you don’t know me.” I bite back before he grips my hand, then uses his palm to push against my hip, spinning me out in front of him.
When he tugs, I’m surged back into his chest, his eyes casting down on me from underneath his hat.
“Bullshit.” I gaze up at him as we stand frozen on the dance floor. The music is still playing, the dancers still in motion. Everyone is moving but us. “I know you. I know every fucking thing about you.”
“Not anymore.” I intended for the words to come out strong and confident, but it comes out weak and truth-less.
I can feel his hand slide from my lower back, up to the nape of my neck. His fingertips glide into my hair at the base, and he grips it lightly. With a slight readjustment, he tilts my head back, so I have nowhere to look but at his handsome face. It’s taunting. Teasing, and I’m both angry and aroused as he peers down at me.
“I have one question” His voice his husky, his eyes hooded. He leans down, and I damn near moan when his lips brush the outside of my ear. “There a reason why you wore this dress tonight?” The hand that’s in my hair loosens, and when the band cuts the song, he releases me.
My chest is heaving, my panties damp, and judging from the look in his eyes, heknows.Bastard. Instead of responding, I duck through the crowd and pray that he doesn’t follow.
Slipping to the restroom, I lock myself in a stall and lower to the toilet. My hands go to my hair, my eyes closing as I reel in my breathing. This was one of the reasons I left. How could I spend the rest of my life watching him with someone else? Watchinghim get married. Have a family. Love someone else. Someone I can never be.
A lump forms in my throat, but I push it down. This only solidifies that as soon as we get everything handled with the ranch, I’ll be back on the road to Georgia. Where I don’t have to feel this shitty halo of circumstances hanging over my head all the time.
Stepping out of the stall, I quickly check my makeup before the door swings open and Emily steps in. She smiles, her long brown hair in waves and her jeans snug. She’s pretty. Really pretty and it sends another stab to my heart.
“So.” She grins. “Rumor has it there might be some rekindling with you and Brady?”
I snort a laugh, because despite how much I can’t stand the thought of her with Maddox, she’s never treated me dirty.
“Well, if you hear any of those rumors, you can squash them.” I fluff my hair. “That ship sailed years ago.”
“Too bad.” She whips out her lip gloss. “I was hoping we could be sister-n-laws one day.” She winks.
I feel the blood drain from my face, and without a word I spin on my boots and dart out of the bathroom.
I need to get out of here.
Now.
Chapter thirty
Maddox
My eyes track Ivy as she maneuvers through the crowd and over to Dakota. I’m at the bar, waiting to pay my tab when she whispers something in Dakota’s ear. Dakota nods, then digs out her keys, placing them in Ivy’s hand.
She shouldn’t be driving.
I don’t think she’s drunk, but it’s excuse enough for me to follow her once she heads for the parking lot.
“Hey.” Emily catches my arm before I’m past the end of the bar. “You mind taking me home tonight?” Her hand casually runs down the front of my shirt. “It’s been a while.” Her eyes blink with intention, but her persistent persuasion is getting old.
“Not tonight.” I brush her off.
