Page 13 of Untamed

“Mhm,” he hums as he slaps my car door a couple of times. I turn the engine over and put it in reverse. As I’m backing out, he stands there and watches me, his arms crossed and a big-ass smile on his face.

“That’s not a no!” he shouts.

I am so fucked.

“Am I being dragged on this adventure just to help you win brownie points with River?”

I look back in the rearview mirror at Poppy, tucked tightly into Rhett’s side.

“Dragged.” I scoff. “You know you love goin’ dancing with us.”

“Yeah, city slicker. Don’t act like we’re dragging you to Sunday school or somethin’,” Wells says as he flips through the stations.

I know why she wasn’t gung ho to tag along tonight. She and Rhett only get so much alone time, but she’s right. I do need her to help bridge the gap between me and River. It’s easier to be in her presence when there’s a middleman.

“I do make a pretty good wingwoman.” She winks at me in the mirror, but I catch Rhett rolling his eyes. He’s not happy about being dragged out tonight either, but where Poppy goes, he follows.

“It’s good for y’all to get out once in a while anyway,” I tell them. “Get to know the people, and show everyone that Rhett isn’t as scary as he looks.”

“Feeling very much like the odd man out tonight,” Wells says as I park the truck and we all jump out.

“Ooh!” Poppy claps her hands. “I could play wingwoman for both of you!”

“I’m only sharing you after I’ve secured the dance I’ve come for.” I point and boop her nose. Rhett slaps at my hand.

“You sure you remember how?” Wells asks. “I don’t think I’ve seen you fling a woman around since River.”

“That’s because only River gets to dance with me like that. We’re partners.”

“Were,” Rhett adds.

“What are you guys talking about? Swinging around?” Poppy asks.

“You ever see those men throwin’ their dance partners around in flips and between their legs and shit?” Rhett asks her.

“No way!” Poppy turns her big, excited eyes back toward me. “You and River can dance like that?”

“Used to be able to anyway.”

“Don’t be so pessimistic.” She gives Rhett a slap on the bicep. “I’m sure it’s like riding a bike.”

“Well.” I shrug. “Guess we’ll find out.”

I open the door for everyone, and we file in. The chatter and music are loud, filling the big space so we have to shout to each other. Shit, it’s busy. This might hinder my plan a bit. If it’s too busy for her to step away from the bar, I’m going to have to switch it up, come up with something new to get River’s attention.

“No you don’t!” I say, grabbing Poppy’s arm with a gentle tug. Rhett was pulling her through the bar to try and find a table, but I want her at the bar with me. He turns around and gives me a not-so-nice stare.

“Hands, Hayes.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, holding my hands up. “I know. I’ll bring her back. Please let me borrow your other half for a few minutes.”

He looks like he wants to fight me on it, but Wells steers him into the crowd and away from us. Throwing my arm around her shoulder, I steer us straight toward River. She’s chatting with some people on our side of the bar, and god damn if her smile doesn’t almost stop me in my tracks.

It’s been so long since I’ve let myself see her. I knew she was back but avoided her like the plague for the longest time. Until I just couldn’t anymore. But now that I’m looking, I can’t look away. That smile lights up her whole face, making those pretty, blue eyes sparkle.

She’s kept her hair the same, that one long braid over the side of one shoulder, but she’s changed into a black dress and a denim jacket. When she climbs up on the little stepladder because she can’t reach the top-shelf liquor, I can see that dress is tight as hell. It’s showing off every single curve she has. It’ll be perfect for when I’m spinnin’ her around on the dance floor.

“Every man in this bar is looking at her ass right now,” Poppy says into my ear.

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