Page 66 of Sunrise & Serenity

I force my eyes away, taking a swig of my beer before I do something even more stupid than I’ve already managed tonight.

CHAPTER 17

SAGE

Ipress my glass against my burning cheek.

What the hell just happened?

I’ve been doing my best to keep my mind off Holden and his friend, Gemma, since they sat down, but it’s damn near impossible. The way my pulse kicked into high gear when I spotted him across the room was matched only by how quickly it dropped when I realized he was with a woman.

I understand being disappointed. I’ve already admitted to myself that I’m attracted to him. But I wasn’t expecting the sharp sting of pain when it hit me that not only had he not come here for me, but he’d come to meet someone else.

The sight of Gemma’s hand on his leg was enough to make me desperate to focus anywhere but on them. Before I could, Holden’s blue eyes locked with mine, the intensity in them making my breath catch and heat rush through me. When he finally looked away, my body sagged, as if his gaze had been the only thing keeping me upright.

It’s completely inappropriate for him to make me feel like that when he’s here with another woman.

And how dare he look so good?

His white T-shirt hugs his chest and biceps perfectly, and the way the dark denim of his jeans only emphasizes his muscular thighs should be illegal. I shove the thought away with a frustrated shake of my head. Determined to get back to having fun, I tune into the conversation around me.

A few minutes later, while I’m laughing at a story Riley’s telling us about Quinn, a shadow looms over me.

“I couldn’t wait any longer.” Cash’s smile is just as charming as before. “The line dancing’s going to start again soon. I was hoping I could steal you for a dance before then.”

The whole group falls silent, and I tuck my hair behind my ears, feeling the weight of everyone’s stares. A prickle of awareness has me sliding my gaze sideways to find Holden’s eyes narrowed as he watches.

Does he have a problem with Cash, or with Cash asking me to dance?

Considering he’s been sitting next to Gemma all night and hasn’t made any move to talk to me, I can’t imagine it’s the latter. Even if it is, it doesn’t matter. Whatever complicated dynamic is at play between us, it’s not going to lead anywhere.

That knowledge shouldn’t pinch my ribs like it does.

Deliberately turning away from him, I smile up at Cash. “I’d love to.”

He extends his hand, and when I place mine in it, he pulls me to stand. Not letting go, he looks past me, his mouth kicking up into a half smile. “Holden. Good to see you again. We’ve missed you on the circuit.”

I glance over my shoulder at Holden. He’s deceptively relaxed, leaning back against the sofa with his legs stretched out in front of him, but his hands are fisted on his thighs, and his forearms are corded with tension. A pit forms in my stomach. I should have guessed they knew each other, since Taryn told me Cash is a bull rider.

“Thought it was time to give someone else a go at the top.” Holden’s mouth slides into what I think is meant to be a smile.

I’ve seen Holden in a bad mood plenty of times before, but this might be the first time I’ve seen him icy.

I’m torn about whether to pull my hand away from Cash’s. If there’s a professional rivalry between them, my loyalty should be with Holden. But it also seems a bit silly to be publicly rude to a man who’s been perfectly nice to me over something I don’t understand.

Cash seems undeterred by Holden’s reaction anyway. He merely chuckles and does a finger salute. “Appreciate it, man.”

With that, he leads me to the dance floor.

The music is slower than before, and we’re surrounded by couples dancing close. I don’t have time to second-guess whether I should be doing this before Cash pulls me into his hard chest. There’s nothing I can do but rest my hands on his shoulders while he places his lightly on my waist.

At least this time I don’t have to be coordinated. I can kind of just sway in place. It’s actually relaxing.

I smile up at him. “So, Cash Calloway, you’re a bull rider too, huh?”

His lips quirk. “I am. And how do you know Holden?”

“I’m working out on his ranch. The family’s kind of taken me under their wing.”