Page 65 of Toxic

I grin. "Yep."

"But you hate country."

"That I do. But tonight, I'm going to love it."

She raises her eyebrows. "Why is that?"

I open the door and step out. Reaching in, I reply, "You'll see."

I lead her into the noisy bar, where a live band is playing on stage. I order two shots of whiskey.

"Kind of early for that, don't you think?" she asks.

"Nope!" I hold a shot out. "Take it."

She does so, and I clink her glass with mine. "Salute."

"Sláinte," she replies, and we down the whiskey.

I grab her glass from her then spin her, so her back is against my torso. I wrap my arms around her and murmur in her ear, "It's time to get that light back in your eyes, and we're going to start tonight."

She turns her head, gazes at me, and gives me a questioning stare.

I peck her on the lips then put my cheek on hers and point to the other side of the bar. A gold mechanical bull gleams as if waiting just for her. "Saddle up, dolcezza. You're going to show me how you used to ride that thing."

13

Bridget

Country music blaresthrough the bar. Rich mahogany wall panels shine next to the brick. Black booths line the wall, and four-top tables adorn the middle of the room. A guitarist, a drummer, and one singer line the stage.

I shake my head at Dante and claim, "No way!" while assessing the gold mechanical bull. My stomach flips a few times. The last time I rode one was over a decade ago. Sean and I came to New York for my birthday. After several drinks, we made a bet. He only stayed on a few seconds, but I lasted past the eight-second requirement. Sean told everyone who would listen about my "skills."

Dante chuckles. "Do you need another shot?"

"Nice try. Should we grab a table?" I reply.

His grin widens. "Sure. We can do that. But we aren't leaving until you get on that bull. I've had this image in my head for too many years, and it's time I see the real thing."

I cover my face with my hands, groaning. Dante has that look in his eye that tells me we really aren't going anywhere until he gets his way.

His deep chuckle hits my ear at the same time his breath does, sending tingles straight to my core. "Come on, Bridge. Show me your riding skills, so I have some visuals for later on." His tongue swipes the back of my lobe.

I shudder, turning to him and meeting his dark smirk. His arms sweep across my back and tighten, pressing our bodies together. My lower body throbs while I ask, "Do you really want to see me ride it?"

"Yes."

"Fine. I'll ride it under one condition."

"What's that?"

"You go first."

He arches his eyebrows. "I'm not the one with the bull skills."

"Scared?"

He snorts. "Nope."

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