Page 12 of Untamed

“The patrons might.”

“It’s not like you’d be working alone. Someone else can pick up the slack for a few minutes.”

“I hate dancing.”

He laughs out loud, throwing his head back and making a show of slapping his knee.

“River, that’s a lie, and we both know it. You used to let me swing you around on a dance floor all damn night.”

“That was before I got old. Back then, if you were to drop me, I’d just brush it off and keep going. Nowadays, if you dropped me, I’d be limping the next day.”

Getting old sucks. I swear, once I turned twenty-eight, it started going downhill. Having a few drinks never hurt so damn bad, and any strenuous physical activity makes me sore the next day. Hell, I’ll probably be feeling this horse between my legs tomorrow morning.

And the way Hayes and I used to dance isn’t the normal line dancin’. He’d swing me around and flip me over. We were the center of attention of every late-night barn dance we could find as teenagers. They’d cheer us on, and we’d pretend like we hadn’t been practicing every chance we got.

But I haven’t danced like that in years. There’s no way in hell you’d see me being swung around that dance floor anymore.

“I wouldn’t drop you, darlin’.” His voice sends goose bumps over my arms. “When have I ever dropped you?”

When I told you I loved you.

“Not happening.” I’ve gotta get out of here. Emotions are trying hard to surface, no matter how much I try to build that damn wall.

I throw my leg over and hop down before tying my horse off. Hayes does the same, fumbling with the reins as he tries to keep up with me. I’m speed walking back to my Jeep when he catches up and grabs my arm. So close. My hand was on the damn car door.

“You run away a lot,” he murmurs. “I wish you’d stop doin’ that. Give a man a chance to think.”

“Think faster.”

He chuckles.

“Yes, ma’am.” I freeze when his hand goes to my hair. It’s braided over one shoulder, and he pushes some stray layers back behind my ear. “Now, tell me you’ll dance with me.”

“No.” I swallow.

“Dance with me, Riv.”

“Hayes,” I warn. “Stop.”

“Dance with me.” He’s begging, and my walls are crumbling.

The thought of his hands all over my body… I won’t survive it.

“Dance with me,” he begs again. “Please, River. I won’t drop you, darlin’.”

Promises, promises.

I sigh and take a step back, getting some air. I can’t think straight when all I can see and smell is him.

“Ask me again later,” I tell him.

“That’s not a no.”

“It’s not a yes.” I bite back a grin as I hop into the Jeep. He shuts the door behind me and leans on the window frame.

“But it’s not a no.” He’s smiling like an idiot, transforming him back into that teenager I knew so many years ago. I can’t help but smile back as I roll my eyes.

“See you, Hayes.”

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