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“Sure you trust me not to step on your toes?”
He lets out a low chuckle. “I think I can handle takin’ that risk if it means spending a little one-on-one time with you without this rowdy lot.”
"In that case, I'd love to," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper as the heat of an intense blush washes over my face.
A slow song starts up, and the cowboy takes my hand, guiding me to the dance floor. "Clark," he says, pulling me close.
"That's your name, right?" I ask, feeling heady from both the drink and his closeness.
The cowboy grins. "Well, I doubt it's yours."
An even deeper flush hits my cheeks, and a giggle falls from my mouth.God, I sound dumb."Of course. I heard your friends call you that. I probably should have given you my name. It's Mariah."
"Pretty name for a pretty lady," he says, and I giggle again. It's embarrassing, but I can't seem to stop myself. This man isgorgeous.
As we dance, the dim lights of the bar cast a warm glow on us, creating an intimate atmosphere. The music wraps around us like a tender embrace, and I find myself lost in the moment, forgetting about everything else except the strong arms that hold me so close.
Clark's eyes never leave mine, as if he can see into the depths of my soul. There's a raw intensity in his gaze that both thrills and unnerves me. It's as if he's searching for something, longing to uncover the pieces of who I am that I'm not ready to reveal.
"Tell me about yourself, Mariah," he says when he pulls me back in from a twirl. "I get a strong feelin' you aren't from around here."
"What gave it away?" I playfully retort, a smile dancing on my lips. Clark chuckles, his eyes sparkling as he holds me even closer, his voice a velvety whisper against my ear.
"Well, for starters, the way you dress and carry yourself. There's a certain grace and elegance that sets you apart from the locals," he muses, gently swaying us to the rhythm of the music. "And then there's those boots. They're far too new and fancy lookin' to belong to anyone working the land."
"Guess you've got me all figured out then, huh?" I say, smiling up at him.
"I'd like to figure you out some more."
"Oh, Clark," I say, twirling away from him again. "I'm only in town two weeks. Let's not bother with all that getting-to-know-you stuff."
His brow shoots up and his mouth kicks up in a lopsided grin. "Straight to the point." Clark's voice is filled with intrigue as he steps closer, his eyes searching mine for meaning. I can see the flicker of disappointment, but it doesn't deter hisdetermination. "Well then, Mariah, what is it you want to spend your two weeks doin'?" he asks, the words laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of mischief
The word 'you' is on the tip of my tongue, but even I know that's far too forward. So I take a moment to gather my thoughts, looking into Clark's eyes, trying to find the right words. I came to this small town seeking an escape from the monotony of my everyday life. Maybe I came here to play the field a little. Or maybe I'm just here to have any sort of fun I can find. But as I stand here with Clark, feeling the electricity between us, I realize that what I really want is to embrace the unpredictable and dive headfirst into the unknown. I want to do things that make me nervous.
"I'm here for an adventure," I confess, a glimmer of excitement taking flight in my belly.
Clark's smile widens as he studies me, revealing a perfect set of white teeth against his tanned complexion. "Well, then, Mariah," he says, his voice low and husky, "you've come to the right place. I think you and me could have a great adventure together if you're open to it. How about you and me take this dance somewhere more private?"
My insides tighten with anticipation as I bite the inside of my lip. "I’d love to. Just give me a minute to tell my friends I'm leaving."
CLARK
"Your chariot awaits, darlin'," I say, opening up the passenger door of my truck and gesturing Mariah inside. The night air is cool after the stifling heat from overheated bodies inside the bar, and there's just enough of a breeze that it blows Mariah's fiery red curls across her face. She laughs as she sweeps it back behind her ear, her emerald eyes sparkling in the moonlight. Biting down on a grin, she takes my outstretched hand and climbs up into the passenger seat, her laughter fading into a soft sigh as she plonks herself down on the creaky leather seat.
She bounces on it. "This is going to be a fun ride."
I chuckle, closing the passenger door before jogging around to the driver's side. As I settle into my seat, I steal a glance at Mariah. She has a captivating energy about her. Never in my life have I felt such an instant connection like I did with her in the bar. And even though she said she doesn't want to get to know me in the traditional sense, well, I sure as hell want to learn everything about her. She's so unlike every woman I've met up until now, and I want to peel back those mysterious layers one by one, and find out what she's really about. And I only have the next two weeks to do it.
"Your place or mine?" I ask as the engine roars to life.
She thinks on it for a moment. "That depends on where you live."
I grin, finding her playful response irresistible. "Well, I live in a cozy little bunkhouse on the ranch I work at. I say cozy because there are about twenty of us currently livin' in there. We all have our own sleeping quarters, so while there's privacy, I do have to make you aware of the stench in the main livin' quarters though," I reply, glancing over at her to gauge her reaction.
Her eyes widen, her lips curling into a smile. "A bunkhouse? That sounds delightfully...musty."
I chuckle at her response. "Oh, it's definitely got character."
