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“Just follow my lead,” I murmured near her ear, my lips close enough to graze the edge of her cheek. “Everyone’s first time can be a little scary.”

She inhaled sharply, and a faint shiver ran through her body. Goosebumps rose along her arms, the fine hairs standing at attention. She nodded wordlessly as I spun her out, then back, before dipping her low. I slid my hand from her lower back, over the curve of her ass, and down to the back of her thigh.

Eleanor leaned into the movement, her head tilting away to expose the delicate line of her neck. The sight nearly undid me. I wanted to run my tongue from the base of her throat to the lobe of her ear, leaving a mark somewhere on that flawless skin.

When I pulled her upright, our bodies collided.

Her face hovered inches from mine, so near that even in the dim glow of the run-down bar, I could make out the freckles dusting her nose.

“Has anyone ever told you how stunning you look under neon lights?” I asked, my voice low, teasing.

She tilted her head, lips curving into a playful grin. “More like under the city lights, but what’s the difference?”

I huffed out a laugh. Oh, there’s a difference, all right.

Taking the lead, I guided her through the steps—spins, backward glides, and side shuffles. She was a quick learner, her body flowing effortlessly to the rhythm of the music. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought she’d been doing this her whole life.

On one spin, she twirled away, our hands still connected as we stepped forward. Then, just as smoothly, she turned back into my arms, her back pressing against my front. My arms wrapped around her, holding her close as we moved in sync.

She swayed her hips against me, slow and deliberate, which sent a jolt straight through me. She knew exactly what she was doing—teasing, testing.

I wasn’t about to let her win that easily.

“This ain’t a competition,” I purred into her ear. “Because I always win.”

My hand slid down her front, brushing over the curve of her breast before trailing between her legs, grazing her inner thigh. Her breath hitched, and I felt the faint tremble that gave her away.

Gotcha.

I squeezed gently, committing the moment to memory. Then, with a smooth spin, I brought her back around, wrapping one arm around her waist and holding her hand in the other.

“Are you sure this is your first time?” I asked, tilting my head to catch her eyes under the brim of my hat as we swayed to the music with quick steps.

“If I tell you, it’ll ruin the appeal,” she replied, her lips twitching into a playful grin.

“Oh no, Sunshine,” I drawled, the nickname slipping out without thought. “Nothing you say could turn me away.”

“Sunshine?” she echoed, her grin shifting to a scoff. “I’m about as far from sunshine as you can get, Mr. Watson.”

That only made the nickname feel more fitting. The contrast intrigued me, pulling me in deeper.

The song ended, the moment breaking along with it. We stepped apart, the space between us feeling like a void I needed to fill. My mind raced ahead, already plotting how to get her to my place.

“What do you say about continuing our night of firsts?” I asked, following her to the bar like a loyal dog chasing its master. “I can show you what it’s like to be with a real cowboy.”

Eleanor drained the rest of her drink, setting the empty glass on the sticky counter. Fishing into her purse, she didn’t answer right away, and for the first time tonight, doubt crept into my mind.

“No, thank you,” she said finally, laying down a crisp hundred-dollar bill.

I blinked. She’d had one drink. That meant she was leaving the bartender a ninety-dollar tip.

The competitor in me flared. I reached into my back pocket and took out my wallet, slapping down my own hundred on top of hers. Her eyes darted to the bill, then back to me, a wicked grin playing on her lips.

“Trying to win me over by being a big spender?” she asked, tilting her head and cocking a hip, the picture of effortless confidence.

“Will it change your mind?”

“Nope,” she replied, popping the “p” with a casualness that nearly made me laugh. Without another glance, she pushed past me, treating me like just another stranger in the crowd.