looked across the crowded room. People had gathered in the space between the pool table and bar to dance to country rock. However, they didn’t block my view of the bathroom door as it opened.
Michelle moved into the main room and stood on her toes, looking my way. Our eyes met. She blinked slowly, a slight frown pulling at her dark brows. Before I could motion to her, someone stepped in the way, blocking her view.
Not far from her, a man caught sight of her and smiled. I felt the sharp edge of my teeth. Using a strong hand and empty, politely worded excuses, I pushed my way through the crowd, keeping an eye on Michelle. She made very little progress as she tried to move around the perimeter of the room. I saw the moment she changed directions to try to cut through the dancers. So did the man who’d been watching her.
Not happening. I moved to cut him off. When he saw me shake my head, he held his hands up good-naturedly and went another direction. I turned and came up behind Michelle. Fear and worry were completely absent. Actually, there wasn’t any emotion coloring her natural scent. Man, she smelled so good like that.
I caught her around the waist to stop her progress since talking would be useless. She looked toward Jim before turning to face me.
Even with all the noise, I heard her heart skip a beat when she saw me. This time, she didn’t look away or try to run. Instead, her scent changed slightly. It grew sweeter, more welcoming. Unable to resist, I leaned in and inhaled near her hair.
“Hi,” she whispered.
Encouraged, I wrapped my arms around her and turned her to the rhythm of the music.
“You had me worried,” I said softly.
“My driving’s not that bad,” she said, pulling back slightly.
Driving? That explained the black marks.
I smiled and shook my head. “When you stopped talking to me, I thought you wanted to leave. Then, you did. With Jim.”
“Oh.”
She looked up at me, her baby blues apologetic. Then, she reached up and curled her fingers in my shirt. Her eyes lost all apology. Instead, they were begging.
I couldn’t refuse her anything, but did she really know what she was asking? How much had she had to drink? Pulling her close, I lowered my head, slowly closing the distance. Her pulse leapt, and her natural sweetness intensified, as if trying to cover up the smell of beer. Her lashes fluttered closed, and she lifted her lips to me. I wanted to groan.
“Please stop,” I begged.
Her eyes opened. “What?”
Her exhale brushed my lips. Mere inches separated us. She saw it, too. She pressed against me and started going up on her toes.
Moving quickly, I nudged her head to the side and buried my face in the curve of her neck. My lips skimmed her skin as I inhaled deeply. This time, I did groan.
“Driving me crazy,” I said, answering her question.
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and I held tight.
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“If you’ll let me, I’ll explain in the morning. When you’re more lucid.” Please still want to talk to me tomorrow, I thought.
The song ended, and I reluctantly let her go to lead her back to Jim. She wobbled on her feet a bit, but it gave me a chance to hold her hand to keep her steady.
“You found her,” Jim said with a grin. “Good.”
He handed me the truck keys and held out his hand. I gave over the bike key.
“Not a scratch.”
He continued to grin.
“You two have fun.” He sat back on his stool and began to speak to the woman on his right.
He knew Winifred was upset with him. If he was smart, he’d face the music tonight. But, as he pointed out, he didn’t want to seem too smart.
I shook my head and tugged Michelle toward the exit.
I have her. They were at the bar.
Is Jim with you?
No, ma’am. We’ll be home in a bit.
Is she drunk?
Michelle took that moment to trip on the gravel. I scooped her up into my arms, and she settled with a sigh against my chest.
I believe she might be a little tipsy.
It might be better if you take your time. It wouldn’t do for her brothers to see her like that.
Helping Michelle into the truck, I noticed her sandal-clad feet. Particularly her toes. I never thought of myself as a foot person. Feet or paws got us where we needed to go.