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She swallowed hard, glanced at the clock, at the last two patrons who were headed out the door, then nodded. She stepped from behind the bar, smiling shyly as she walked closer to me. It was her first shy smile. Her blue eyes were beautiful.
I looked at the band, who’d started to gather their things as the patrons left but now began playing just for us. It was the kind of music I wanted. I didn’t want a slow dance; I wanted a wild one. I took her hand, twirling her once before lowering my hands to her hips. She had her back to me, and I stepped closer until her spine was pressing against my chest. Maddie put her hands on top of mine but didn’t push them away. I kept us both still for a moment. I had to ask first. I had to know.
“Maddie, are you dating someone?”
She shuddered in my arms, pressing her back even closer to me. “There is no one in my life, Landon.”
“Then be mine for this dance.”
I heard her sharp intake of breath, and then her hair tickled my face. Half her bun had come undone again. I pulled the elastic band. Her hair was silky and soft.
“Let’s get rid of that, shall we? It’s just in the way.”
She nodded wordlessly, taking the elastic band from my hand, shoving it in a small pocket in her dress. I pushed her hair to one side, baring the back of her neck to me. I lingered with my fingers on her skin longer than necessary, pressing my thumb where her hairline ended.
“Are we going to dance or what? I’m breaking the rules with you, Landon. You’d better make it count.”
I was breaking some rules of my own. It was the first time I’d let myself come this close to a woman in years. But that didn’t matter right now. This moment was all that mattered. Maddie was all that mattered. She had wanted to let loose and go all wild the entire night, but she hadn’t been able to behind that bar. I was going to give her what she needed.
Lowering my hands to her hips again, I moved us both to the rhythm of the music. She gave herself to the music, to me, the sway of her body smooth and inviting. Her scent was driving me insane, and I knew the intoxicating flower sweetness would be branded in my memory for a long time. Taking her hands, I twirled her, catching the feral glimpse in her eyes.
“You’re good at this, Landon.”
I spun her again, once, twice, until she lost all sense of space and swayed right into my arms. Laughter tumbled out of her, and I could hear the reverberations of her guffaws against my chest. It was contagious. I joined in on her laughter, but then she let the music take her over again, and I pulled her to me. I wanted to soak up all her sensual energy. Our hips were aligned, our chests touching. Heat was building inside me, and when I felt her frantic breath land on my jaw, lust shot right under my belt. A drop of sweat dripped from her temple, making its way to her earlobe. I wanted to lick her there.
When the music stopped, we both glanced at the stage questioningly. I didn’t want the moment to end. Judging by how tightly Maddie was holding my hand, neither did she.
“Sorry, guys, we already played fifteen minutes extra for you. But we really have to go.”
Maddie jumped, slipping her hand away. “Oh, I have to close up. I lost track of time. I....”
As the band gathered their instruments, Maddie wiped the bar surface with a wet cloth, put the remaining glasses in the dishwasher.
“Landon, you don’t have to wait for me.”
“Yes I do. I’m walking you home.”
Maddie straightened up, scrutinizing me like she was seeing me for the first time. “I live just a few blocks away.”
“It’s not up for negotiation. It’s late, and your car was vandalized. It’s not safe.”
She laughed softly. “I just met you last week. How do I know you’re safe?”
“Val can vouch for me. Give her a call.”
“At three o’clock in the morning?” She tilted her head, her eyes holding a challenge.
“The owner shouldn’t let a woman close up the bar. I never let Val do it. He should have asked one of the guys who worked as server to do it. A lot of drunkards hang around in front after closing time, and most people you meet on the str
eet at this time are looking for trouble.”
“I walk home alone every time I’m here.”
“Not this time.”
“You’re intense.”
I laughed. “You could say that.”
