Chapter 8
Zeb
Itugged on my black vest, feeling like it was two sizes too small when I knew it wasn’t. It was just nerves that were wrecking havoc on my system.
And why shouldn’t they?
When was the last time I asked someone out?
I couldn’t even remember.
Sure, I had my fair share of ladies, I wasn’t celibate, not that I thought that was how this night was going to go. But the last thing I expected was for Katie to say yes to asking her out.
But here we were.
I was at the dance, waiting for her and her daughter to walk through the door. Not that I couldn’t have picked her up, but Katie said it would just be easier to meet here, and I was okay with that.
“You clean up nicely.”
I turned around, my breath catching at the woman before me.
She didn’t go to any great lengths to be all dazzled; a new pair of jeans that clung to her like a second skin, a tank top that was shimmering under the lights, new boots, and the lightest of makeup.
All which made her look far younger and far sexier than she had a right to.
“Holy shit,” I muttered, making her chuckle.
“You look stunning,” I told her, taking her arm and lightly pulling her closer to kiss her cheek.
How we went from fighting to this, I wasn’t sure.
Maybe overhearing that call and seeing how her asshole of an ex treated her triggered something in me and I didn’t have the heart to keep being that way either. One asshole in her life was enough.
“Thank you,” she said, blushing slightly. “You look quite nice,” she said, running her hand over my vest that was right over my chest and I fought the shiver.
I may not have asked about sex or thought that was how this would go, but the spark between us right now told me it was possible that’s how the night would end.
A throat cleared and I glanced down at Tiffany, who was beaming at the two of us. I took her hand and made her do a twirl, happy to see the decent length on the skirt.
“You look lovely, too. I like the skirt.”
“Thanks. Mom and I picked it up the other day. Can I go hang with my friends now?” she asked, looking at her mom.
“Sure. Have fun.”
She nodded and with a wave, left me and this beauty alone.
“You laid down the law?” I asked, enjoying the chuckle that came from her.
“Yes. Not that there was much.” She scanned the room before turning to me. “Cheyenne did a great job with the dance here at The Shed. I like what she did.”
“She usually outdoes herself with these things.” I watched her, seeing the light in her eyes and I couldn’t help but smile.
Katie was a gorgeous woman and she didn’t know it.
I held my hand out to her and she glanced at it, before looking at me.
“Come on, cowgirl, I’m going to teach you how to two-step. ”
She laughed as she nodded and took my hand.
I led her onto the dance floor and swung her into my arms just as the songs changed. She winked at me and something ignited deep within me over that look. Before I could process what it meant or what she was doing, she started dancing, making my jaw drop slightly.
“You know how to dance?”
“Sure do. Maybe you shouldn’t have judged me as a city slicker the whole time.”
This time, it was my turn to laugh as I gathered her up once more and moved us around the dance floor.
A carefree Katie was exquisite.
Her eyes were alight with pleasure, her lips were always turned up in a smile, and the look of fun on her face was something I don’t think I could ever forget. Nor would I want to. Because I knew I brought that out on her.
And honestly, I think this could just be the first time I saw her this way since she came out here. Like everything was off her shoulders.
I spun her and then dipped her, making her laugh even more, and I had to fight the urge to kiss her. Though, the way her hand landed on my shoulder and inched its way up to the back of my neck to play with the hair had me shivering in her arms.
And the fight was even worse.
I lifted her back up, wrapping my arms around her waist while her arms snaked around my neck. There, in the middle of the dance floor, with everyone moving around us, I did the only thing I could think of.
I put my lips on hers, making the butterflies in my stomach stir up a storm. Her moan against my mouth, though, told me everything I needed to know, which is that she was enjoying this just as much as I was.
Maybe I had been wanting it too.
I finally broke the kiss, her eyes a little glassy as they looked into mine, and I slowly smiled.
“Best damn first kiss I ever had,” I told her. She blushed yet again and I brushed my lips over her cheek. “That looks good on you, by the way.”
“When did you become such a flirt,” she huffed, trying to get her footing again.
“Do you want to flirt or fight?” I asked
“Hmm. Both are great foreplay.”
And with that, my dick was jumping up to say hello.
“Darlin’, don’t tempt a man with that. Let’s grab some punch so you can do some work otherwise I will keep you out here all night.”
“Party pooper,” she grumbled, but the twist of her lips had me smiling. With my hand on her back, I led her to the table, needing to take a moment myself to ground me. Because yeah, having her in my arms was rocking my world in ways I hadn’t known.
“Mom, Sara said I can grab my bag to stick in their car,” Tiffany said, running up to Katie.
“Okay, here’s the keys. Just lock it up when you’re done. And be careful.”
“Sure.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, taking a sip of the punch.
“Tiffany is staying with her friend,” Katie offered, giving me a side eye.
“You’re alone tonight?”
“I am.”
The look she gave me while licking her lips had my dick pushing against my jeans even more and I knew this night was going to end a whole lot differently than I had planned.