Page 45 of Ethan

He hadn’t expected that. He hadn’t expected how natural it would feel either.

They moved together slowly and he kept his hand firm at her waist and looked out over the top of her head at nothing in particular. He was in serious trouble and had been for a while now.

She tilted her head back and looked up at him.

“You’re a good dancer for a man who only does slow ones,” she said.

“I have my moments.”

She smiled, laid her head back against his chest, and he tightened his arm around her just slightly.

The song played on, neither of them speaking as the crowd and noise moved around them, none of it touching them.

When the song ended she didn’t step back immediately.

Neither did he.

Then the band kicked back into something fast and the spell broke. She lifted her head and looked up at him with bright eyes.

“One more line dance,” she said.

“Go ahead.” He let her go.

She squeezed his hand before she did.

He went back to the bar, picked up his beer, and watched her go. Taking it slow was quite possibly the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.

****

After the next song Naomi made her way back to him and he was already on his feet, his hand out.

“Ready?” he said.

“Ready.”

Ethan settled his tab with Dixie, helped Naomi down from the stool, and held her hand as they worked their way through thecrowd. Outside the night air hit her warm and still. She took a breath of it after the noise of the bar.

They walked to the truck, and he opened her door then helped her in. She watched him walk around the front, that easy unhurried stride she’d gotten very used to, and climbed in beside her.

The drive back was quiet. She was pleasantly tired, full of good food and good company, and she let herself lean her head back against the headrest and watch the Montana sky through the window. Stars everywhere, the way they never were in a big city.

When he pulled up beside the barn and cut the engine she didn’t move right away.

Neither did he.

“I had a really good time,” she said.

“So did I.”

She turned her head to look at him in the dim of the cab. He was already looking at her.

He reached over, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek, and she felt it through her entire body.

“Come here,” he said quietly.

She leaned across the console and he met her halfway. Their lips met and he kissed her slowly, one hand cupping her face, and she thought that whatever this was it was the best kind of trouble she’d ever gotten herself into.

When he finally pulled back she looked at him.