tables to the small dance floor. Turning to face her, Keegan took one of her hands in his, the other moving to her hip. Without effort or thought, they began to two-step, a dance that was as natural as breathing. Because of the height difference, Bristol had to move in close, a plus as far as he was concerned.
Keegan felt the tension in her body, the jerkiness of her movements but he pretended not to. After a few minutes, she seemed to relax a little, her hand softening in his.
Brantley Gilbert gave way to Luke Combs on the jukebox, the slower song giving Keegan the opportunity to pull Bristol in even closer. Her hair smelled like lavender, a sweet scent he knew he’d be smelling in his dreams.
Neither of them spoke for the longest time, not until Keegan became aware of her staring up at him as they moved.
“What’s on your mind, darlin’?” he asked, peering down as he firmed his grip on her hip and resisted the urge to pull her in even more.
“Nothin’.”
“Liar.”
The tension was back, her body stiffening. Keegan didn’t stop moving, continuing around the dance floor with her keeping up.
He stared down at her, waiting for her to look at him again. She finally did.
Were those tears in her eyes?
Just the thought of her crying made his heart clench in his chest.
“Bristol…” Forcing his feet to stop, Keegan held her stare as he cocked his head to the side.
“I need to go,” she said, making a feeble attempt to pull away.
Keegan held on. Not too tight, not enough to force her to stay but enough to let her know it was where he wanted her.
“Why’re you doin’ this?” Bristol whispered.
He stared down at her. “Doin’ what?”
“Actin’ like we’re just gonna pick up where we left off.”
“Why wouldn’t we?” It wasn’t the wisest thing to say, but hey, when a man was awestruck, words weren’t the most important thing on his mind.
“It’s been a month, Keegan. A month since I’ve so much as talked to you. And if I remember correctly, you were more than happy to be rid of me.”
He pulled her into him, lowered his head in an attempt to settle her. He didn’t like how near to the surface those tears appeared to be. “I don’t recall you showin’ up on our doorstep, either.”
“Darn right I didn’t. And I won’t. No matter what, I won’t ask you for a damn thing.”
That comment took him by surprise. Not only the words but the tone.
He stared down at her, saw her blue eyes glistening until a single tear finally spilled over. It was nearly his undoing, those damn tears.
But he should’ve known Bristol wouldn’t let anyone see her cry. She quickly ducked her head, and it only took a minute before she’d pulled herself together, stepping back from him.
“Bristol…”
“No.” She shook her head as though to punctuate the word. “I … I…” She took a deep, steadying breath. “I don’t have the energy for this right now, Keegan. I’m not willin’ to go back to playin’ your stupid game.”
“My game?” He couldn’t believe she’d accused him of playing, much less laid all the blame at his feet. “If I recall correctly, it was your game and I didn’t bother playin’.” He stepped in closer, lowered his voice. “Yet you still ended up in my bed.”
She jerked back as though he’d slapped her.
Before he could elaborate on the matter, a gruff voice sounded behind him.
“Mind if I cut in?”
Keegan forced his attention to the cowboy who’d interrupted. “Actually, I do.”
“Why don’t we let the lady decide.” The man’s hardened gaze shifted to Bristol. “Now that you’ve added dancin’ to tonight’s festivities, I figure you owe me one.”
Because he was in tune with her body language, Keegan saw Bristol tense, knew she wasn’t interested in dancing with the man, which was why he was taken by surprise when she stepped away from Keegan and right up to the asshole.
“Sure,” she said, not bothering to look Keegan in the eye as she moved away from him.
Keegan felt a shocking possessiveness coil in his gut when the man put his hands on her. He didn’t like the way the guy pulled her close, as though he had every right to do so. Even when Bristol attempted to put space between them, he would step in, closing the distance once more.
“What the fuck?” Kaden hissed when he moved to stand beside him, their arms touching.
Damn good question.
*
Sticking around while Bristol danced