his immediate future.
Jayne certainly was one fine-looking woman. He could never understand why some girls wanted to starve themselves and look like sticks. Julian appreciated a woman he could wrap his arms around, one who'd take him on and give him a nice, soft, sexy ride.
Shit. He adjusted his seat on the barstool. His little brain had better settle down and stop trying to take over the night's agenda.
He promised it that if it behaved it might earn a mighty fine reward, indeed, by and by.
Julian flicked his eyes to the table where Jayne and her friends Buck and Chad appeared to be in deep conversation. He had no idea what they were saying, of course. But it looked as if Jayne had given them some bad news. Both men looked unhappy...and a bit uncomfortable. The one who'd come to fetch her, Buck, looked to be adjusting his seat the same way Julian had just done. Interesting.
The waitress had come over a few minutes before, and now she returned and dropped off a tall glass at their table. Buck slid it over to Jayne and pointed at it and then her.
Julian smiled. It looked to him as if Buck had seen to it the lady took in some good old H20.
He bided his time for a few more minutes, watching and waiting. He set his beer down and caught the bartender's eye. "I'll take another one, please." It would only be his second of the night. "I'm just going to go see if I can interest a beautiful woman in dancing with me."
The bartender nodded, grinned, and said, "Good luck."
Julian eased to his feet and slowly ambled over toward that corner table. He could hear them, just a little, but needed to get a lot closer before he would be able to make out -
"Okay. I need to dance, then maybe another margarita, then finding someone and getting laid would be awesome - "
My evening may be looking up. Julian bit back the urge to laugh as he reached out and gently ran his hand down her upper arm to get her attention.
Jayne turned and met his gaze, and he wondered for a moment if she would even remember him. Then her eyes lit up with recognition and she beamed the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. "Oh, hello!"
"Hello, darlin'. I've come to claim that dance from you, if you're willing?" He looked from Jayne to the men sitting with her, one eyebrow raised. He'd already decided if either of them objected, he'd just go back to the bar and wait for the Benedicts and Martinezes to arrive. The last thing he wanted to do was cause trouble.
Jayne patted Buck's and Chad's shoulders. "Ready, willing, and able, cowboy! No hard feelings, guys."
The men didn't look too happy, but they sat back, clearly accepting the lady's decision to dance with him.
Julian held her chair while she got down from it, took her hand, and led her to the dance floor.
He kissed her hand, introduced himself to her, then eased her into his arms and began to move in beat to "Kissed You Good Night" by Gloriana. Julian had been complimented more than once on his dancing prowess. His abuela had insisted he and his brothers learn how to dance "like proper American gentlemen." Since they all three of them had adored their abuela and none of them wanted to disappoint her, the Alvarez boys danced, and danced well.
Jayne fit into his arms perfectly, and her beautiful smile soothed him and made him feel special at the same time.
Julian twirled her around in a big circle, a dance step she really seemed to enjoy, and then tucked her close again. He looked down at her when she didn't seem to mind being snuggled right up flush against him. He couldn't help but return her smile. Damn, this woman is sweet.
"So, Julian, where are you from?"
He grinned and replied, "Originally, I'm from Virginia. Born and raised there, but I've been on the rodeo circuit for several years now. I've settled, at least temporarily, on a horse ranch in Lusty, up near Waco. I'm in Divine visiting some old friends from the rodeo. Maybe you know them? Angel and Joaquin Martinez? They head up the Andalusian breeding outfit out at the Divine Creek Ranch."
"Yes, I do know them. My cousin, Grace, is married to the owners of the Divine Creek Ranch."
Julian blinked. He couldn't have heard right, could he? Maybe my time in Lusty