Chapter 14
Ivy moved them to the center ring of the dance floor. Dax had always been a quick study and had watched enough couples to have down the two-step. He had always felt music in his soul, and his body was itching to move to the tune the band would play next. As a DJ, he had known to put on certain songs, ones which would get a crowd up on its feet and out on the dance floor at a wedding or party, but being exposed to world of country music was a new thrill. Already, he was being inspired by the melodies he’d heard tonight.
And inspired by this lovely woman whose hand he now held.
The band struck up another lively song, and he faced Ivy, holding her right hand and placing his free one against her shoulder blade. She wore a tight, black tank top, which meant his palm rested on bare, smooth skin. She had a wonderful, hourglass figure, showed off to perfection by the black tank and worn jeans, which were molded to her every curve.
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded, counting in his head, and then Dax pushed his right foot forward, along the smooth, concrete floor. For most of the song, he did count the beat, aware of the quick, quick, then slow, slow movement. He made certain to stagger their feet so that he didn’t trample on her toes.
Then near the end of the song, everything seemed to kick in for him. He quit counting in his head and merely felt the beat, the rhythm of the song keeping his feet moving in correct time. The tune ended and Dax stopped moving Ivy around the dance floor, but he continued to hold on to her. Gazing into her hazel eyes, he found them an unusual green shade now. The exertion of the dance had her face flushed, making her even more appealing than before.
The band moved into another song, which immediately had the crowd cheering.
Dax leaned toward Ivy so he could be heard and asked, “What’s this?”
“Wagon Wheel,” she replied, smiling widely. “A Darius Rucker song. As you can tell, it’s a favorite for people to dance to.”
The couples on the crowded floor began moving to the music, many of them singing along. While he hadn’t ever heard the song and was unable to join in singing to it, he caught their enthusiasm, maneuvering Ivy around the room with more confidence now.
By the time the third song started, he was comfortable with the movements of the two-step and surprised Ivy with a quick dip. Dax pulled her back up, hearing the laughter bubble up from her. He needed to hear her laugh. He craved everything about Ivy. Though he had promised to take things slow with her, all he wanted was this woman in his bed—and one uninterrupted night with her in it.
After a fourth song, he led her from the dance floor, slipping his arm about her waist and moving his lips close to her ear, where he said, “Dancing is hard work. I need a drink.”
She laughed again, her eyes sparkling. Dax wanted to freeze this moment in time. The way Ivy looked. The way his heart beat as he gazed at her. The feeling of completeness which engulfed him, being with her. He’d thought he had loved Shailene, but after years of being with her, his feelings toward her paled in comparison to what Ivy stirred within him. Dax had never bought into the term soul mate, but Ivy was fast becoming this to him. There was an easiness between them, almost as if they didn’t have to work at anything. He had never been so comfortable around anyone in his life.
His gut told him he better figure out the way to spend the rest of his life with Ivy Hart.
He led her to the bar and ordered two more Shiner Bocks. By now, Renegade Roadhouse was packed, so they took their beers and found a small opening against the wall. Dax squeezed into it, placing Ivy in front of him. One arm snaked about her waist, holding her close to him as they sipped their beers and listened to the music.
The band took a much-needed break after the song ended, promising to return in a quarter-hour. Voices buzzed about them, but Dax and Ivy didn’t need to say a word. He merely held her against him as they finished their beers and handed the empty bottles to a passing server.
She looked over her shoulder. “I’m going to go to the restroom. Be right back.”
“Good idea. I’ll do the same.”
They returned to the dance floor when the band did, confidence brimming through Dax as they began dancing again. He was grateful Ivy had told him to wear loafers because it was easy to glide along the floor in them. He supposed now that he was in Hill Country, he should invest in a good pair of boots. Hopefully, Ivy would take him shopping and recommend a decent pair to him. Even though Dallas was in Texas, the city was cosmopolitan. While he had seen men wearing boots on occasion there, he had always heard the gateway to the west was through Ft. Worth. He’d DJ’d a few weddings in Ft. Worth and recalled how men had worn boots to the reception with their tuxedos.
The next hour passed quickly as they spent the entire time on the dance floor. Dax enjoyed himself tremendously. He tried a few more dips and even attempted the sweetheart and spin out with success, much to Ivy’s delight. He did want some quiet time with her, though, and when the band took their next break, he asked if she might be ready to leave.
“I was about to suggest the same thing,” she told him. “I’m worn out. I haven’t danced that much in ages.”
He led her back to the bar again, where he asked the bartender for two bottled waters and paid for them. Dax opened one and handed it to Ivy and then did the same for himself.
They left Renegade Roadhouse and returned to her car. Dax opened her car door and assisted Ivy into the driver’s seat before coming around and taking his spot on the passenger’s side.
She didn’t start the car. Instead, she downed the rest of her water, so he did the same. They set their empties in the cupholder. Ivy also pulled her phone from her back pocket and set it in a tray.
Starting the car, she eased it from the parking lot. Several couples had spilled outside during this break, and Ivy weaved around them carefully, turning onto the highway to head back to Lost Creek.
They didn’t speak a word, and it was a comfortable silence. Dax had been on dates when silence had cropped up, and he’d desperately thought of new topics to introduce to fill in the awkward void. That wasn’t necessary with Ivy. He wanted to take her hand, but the country road was dark. He knew Ivy was a responsible, conscientious driver, more comfortable with both hands on the wheel. He was glad he hadn’t done so when some animal darted across the road in front of them, a blur in the headlights.
“What was that?” he asked, as she swung into the other lane and back into their own.
“Looked like a deer,” she replied. “The Hill Country is full of them. They’re active at night. You always have to be alert when you’re driving after dark.”
They settled back into silence until they arrived in Lost Creek, and she eased into a parking spot in front of Java Junction. One light burned inside, illuminating part of the bar.
“Want to come in for something cold to drink?” he asked, wanting to extend the evening. “I know one water wasn’t enough for me.”
Ivy gazed at him, her eyes large and luminous. “All right.”
He escorted her inside the coffeehouse, wanting to take her upstairs to his apartment but knowing if he did, more would happen between them than should at this point.
Dax moved behind the bar. “What would you like?”
“I’ll leave it in your hands, but I’d prefer tea over coffee.”
He chuckled. “I’ve got to convert my girlfriend from being a tea drinker to a coffee one, else all of Lost Creek will be gossiping about how my coffee isn’t good enough for her.”
“Am I your girlfriend, Dax?” Ivy asked quietly.
He leaned over, cupping her cheek. “You know you are. I’ve told you I want to see you. Only you.” A flicker of doubt passed through him. “Have you changed your mind about us?”
“No.” She smiled wistfully. “I just haven’t been a girlfriend in a very long time.”
“I don’t think the term girlfriend really fits what we have, Ivy,” he said, wanting to convey his strong feelings to her.
This time, he saw doubt in her eyes, and he knew he needed to correct whatever false impression he’d given her.
She spoke quickly, though. “I know. It’s too soon.” She pulled away from him. “You haven’t been divorced that long. You don’t want to leap back into another relationship too fast. And I don’t want to be your rebound girl. I better go.”
Turning, Ivy walked away briskly.
Dax leaped over the bar and rushed after her, catching her wrist and turning her to face him.
“Don’t go,” he pleaded.
A long moment passed, the air crackling with the electricity between them. Then he felt her relaxing.
“I don’t want to make any mistakes with you, Dax,” she said, laying her soul bare to him. “I have a lot of tarnish on me when it comes to dating. I’m not sure I even remember how to be in a relationship. I’ve focused on my career and let personal relationships slide for years.”
He released her wrist, bringing his hands up to frame her face. “I don’t mean to frighten you, Ivy, but what I feel for you is really strong. Something I’ve never experienced before. It’s hard for me to even put it into words because these feelings are so new to me.”
He stroked her cheeks. “I’m not comparing you in any way to Shailene. That part of my life is over and done. It’s almost as if I’ve shed my skin and become a new person here in Lost Creek. Or maybe I’m the person I always have been, layers buried beneath layers, hiding who I was. But I will tell you this. I’ve never had feelings for anyone as strong as I now have for you. I wake up every morning, and the first thing I think of is you. When something good happens, I want you to be the first person to hear about it. I know we agreed to move slowly, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. All I want is to show you how much you mean to me.”
Dax brought his lips to hers for a long, tender kiss. He broke it, his mouth hovering just above hers.
“I want to make love to you, Ivy.”
“I want that, too, Dax,” she said softly.
“I think we should wait, though,” he said firmly. “I want to give us more time. To make certain this is right.”
But in his heart, Dax knew it wouldn’t matter if a day passed—or a thousand of them. They were destined to be together.
He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her again, long and slow. Ivy fit against him as if she were made to do so, and in a way which told Dax his gut wasn’t leading him astray.
Breaking the kiss, he gazed at her. “Let me get that tall tea for you.”
He clasped her hand, leading her to a nearby loveseat.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Preparing two passionflower teas, he returned to her.
Ivy took one sip. “This is delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever had a cold tea which was this refreshing.”
Dax sat next to her, slipping his arm around her shoulders. They talked for half an hour, drinking their teas.
Ivy mentioned getting together in order to build the website, wanting his input.
“When are you working tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’ll be at the tasting room from eleven to seven. We have extended hours on the weekends. I know you’re busy on a Saturday morning. Maybe tomorrow night?”
“Come over when you get off work. I’ll order us a pizza.”
“No anchovies,” she blurted out, causing him to chuckle.
“What do you like on your pizza? That’s something I need to know.”
Grinning, she said, “Anything but anchovies,” causing him to laugh again.
“Okay. I’ll surprise you then. What do I need to do to prepare regarding this website?”
“Just have a credit card ready to go. Also, be thinking about the name. I can guarantee you that Java Junction has already been taken, so you’ll need to put your own spin on the website’s name. Each domain name needs to be purchased, and then you pay an annual fee to maintain the rights to it.”
“I’ll have pizza and credit card in hand tomorrow night,” he promised. Dax kissed her softly. “You need to get home.”
He walked Ivy to her car.
“Thanks again for teaching me how to two-step. I had a lot of fun tonight, Ivy. I enjoy being with you.”
She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her, kissing him.
“I enjoyed every minute of tonight because I was with you.”
Opening her door, she slipped behind the wheel. “See you tomorrow night.”
Dax hoped he would see her sooner.
In his dreams…