17. Sage
SAGE
Ipress my glass against my burning cheek.
What the hell just happened?
I’ve been doing my best to keep my mind off Holden and his friend, Gemma, since they sat down, but it’s damn near impossible. The way my pulse kicked into high gear when I spotted him across the room was matched only by how quickly it dropped when I realized he was with a woman.
I understand being disappointed. I’ve already admitted to myself that I’m attracted to him. But I wasn’t expecting the sharp sting of pain when it hit me that not only had he not come here for me, but he’d come to meet someone else.
The sight of Gemma’s hand on his leg was enough to make me desperate to focus anywhere but on them.
Before I could, Holden’s blue eyes locked with mine, the intensity in them making my breath catch and heat rush through me.
When he finally looked away, my body sagged, as if his gaze had been the only thing keeping me upright.
It’s completely inappropriate for him to make me feel like that when he’s here with another woman.
And how dare he look so good?
His white T-shirt hugs his chest and biceps perfectly, and the way the dark denim of his jeans only emphasizes his muscular thighs should be illegal. I shove the thought away with a frustrated shake of my head. Determined to get back to having fun, I tune into the conversation around me.
A few minutes later, while I’m laughing at a story Riley’s telling us about Quinn, a shadow looms over me.
“I couldn’t wait any longer.” Cash’s smile is just as charming as before. “The line dancing’s going to start again soon. I was hoping I could steal you for a dance before then.”
The whole group falls silent, and I tuck my hair behind my ears, feeling the weight of everyone’s stares. A prickle of awareness has me sliding my gaze sideways to find Holden’s eyes narrowed as he watches.
Does he have a problem with Cash, or with Cash asking me to dance?
Considering he’s been sitting next to Gemma all night and hasn’t made any move to talk to me, I can’t imagine it’s the latter. Even if it is, it doesn’t matter. Whatever complicated dynamic is at play between us, it’s not going to lead anywhere.
That knowledge shouldn’t pinch my ribs like it does.
Deliberately turning away from him, I smile up at Cash. “I’d love to.”
He extends his hand, and when I place mine in it, he pulls me to stand. Not letting go, he looks past me, his mouth kicking up into a half smile. “Holden. Good to see you again. We’ve missed you on the circuit.”
I glance over my shoulder at Holden. He’s deceptively relaxed, leaning back against the sofa with his legs stretched out in front of him, but his hands are fisted on his thighs, and his forearms are corded with tension.
A pit forms in my stomach. I should have guessed they knew each other, since Taryn told me Cash is a bull rider.
“Thought it was time to give someone else a go at the top.” Holden’s mouth slides into what I think is meant to be a smile.
I’ve seen Holden in a bad mood plenty of times before, but this might be the first time I’ve seen him icy.
I’m torn about whether to pull my hand away from Cash’s. If there’s a professional rivalry between them, my loyalty should be with Holden. But it also seems a bit silly to be publicly rude to a man who’s been perfectly nice to me over something I don’t understand.
Cash seems undeterred by Holden’s reaction anyway. He merely chuckles and does a finger salute. “Appreciate it, man.”
With that, he leads me to the dance floor.
The music is slower than before, and we’re surrounded by couples dancing close. I don’t have time to second-guess whether I should be doing this before Cash pulls me into his hard chest. There’s nothing I can do but rest my hands on his shoulders while he places his lightly on my waist.
At least this time I don’t have to be coordinated. I can kind of just sway in place. It’s actually relaxing.
I smile up at him. “So, Cash Calloway, you’re a bull rider too, huh?”
His lips quirk. “I am. And how do you know Holden?”
“I’m working out on his ranch. The family’s kind of taken me under their wing.”
His gaze shifts behind me. “Is that why Holden’s glaring over here?”
I only just manage to stop myself from looking over my shoulder. “I assumed that’s because you’re rodeo rivals.” I wince. “Or you were, anyway.”
He smirks. “No more than any other rider. We usually manage to be cordial.”
“Huh. Then I don’t know. It might just be his normal expression. He doesn’t tend to smile much.”
“Could be. Or could be he doesn’t like seeing another man’s arms around you.”
I shake my head a little harder than warranted. “It wouldn’t be anything like that. Holden and I are just friends. Well, not even that, really. We’re neighbors more than anything. I’m staying in the cabin next to his.”
Cash’s eyebrows rise, as does one corner of his mouth.
“Actually,” I babble on. “I don’t think he even likes me that much.”
Cash laughs. “Trust me, a man who doesn’t like you wouldn’t be staring over here like he is.”
I blink up at him, unsure what to say. Does Holden like me? We’ve definitely had some moments, and I’m ridiculously attracted to him. Maybe he’s even attracted to me. But is there anything more to it than that?
Part of me wants to pull away from Cash, just in case what he’s saying is true. But another part wants to stay right here. Even if Holden does happen to like me—and that’s a big if—I can’t imagine him making a move. He’s too controlled, too good at keeping his distance.
Maybe if I wasn’t still chasing my career, I’d be tempted to see if I could close that distance. But speculating on what he may or may not feel, and on what I wish I could do about it, is pointless.
Or at least that’s what I tell myself.
Cash must see the conflict in my eyes. “Should we test my theory?”
My pulse kicks up a notch. “What do you mean?”
The grin spreading across his face is nothing short of devilish. He lets go of my waist, takes off his hat, and places it gently on top of mine. Then he tips my chin up with two fingers and smiles. “Perfect.”
I frown, but barely a moment later, the hat is swept off my head, and Holden is shoving it against Cash’s chest.
“She doesn’t want your hat.” His voice is hard.
Cash shrugs. “Didn’t see her protesting.”
“She’s from the city. She doesn’t know what it means.”
My gaze ping-pongs back and forth between them, and I put up my hand. “I’m sorry, you’re not talking about the whole ‘if you wear a cowboy’s hat, you’re going to sleep with him’ thing are you?”
Both men turn to me, Cash with a grin and Holden with a frown.
“You do know?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. “Anyone who’s read a cowboy romance knows what it’s supposed to mean, but that’s just… you know, made up, right? I mean, it’s not a real thing.” I hesitate, taking in how they’re looking at me. “Is it?”
Holden turns back to Cash. “See? She has no intention of going home with you, so you might as well find another woman to warm your bed.”
It makes me itchy, the way he’s presuming to know what I want. Even though I have no intention of sleeping with Cash, Holden has no right to decide for me. I plant my hands on my hips. “Wait a minute.”
As soon as they’re focused on me again, I step forward. “No one but me gets a say in who I go home with and who I don’t.”
My voice rings out a little too loud. The song has ended, and I wince as I realize that a space has formed around us and we’re drawing attention.
Suddenly, I’m counting how many drinks I’ve had tonight.
But I’m not backing down now. I hold out my hand toward Cash. “Hat, please.”
Cash flashes me a grin, but before he can pass it to me so I can call Holden’s bluff, Holden’s arm is around my waist, and he lifts me off my feet.
For one ridiculous second, I’m sure he’s about to throw me over his shoulder, humiliating me in front of everyone here. But he doesn’t. He merely walks to the edge of the dance floor before letting me slide down his body.
His very hard body.
I stare up at him, my mouth hanging open. “What the hell was that?”
He glowers down at me, eyes stormy. “That’s what I should be asking you. If you’re looking for a cowboy to go home with, you can do better than Cash. Every time he passes through, he stops off here for some fun.”
My cheeks warm. But I don’t want to admit that I wasn’t planning to sleep with the guy. And I sure as hell won’t tell him that I’m not looking to go home with any cowboy.
Unless it’s him.
Though with the way he’s pissing me off now, I’m not so sure about that anymore.
I raise my chin. “Okay, who do you suggest, then?”
“What?”
“If you’ve decided you’re going to act like my big brother, then maybe you can tell me which cowboy is acceptable.”
“You want to know what I think? I think it’s time you go home.”
I cross my arms and tap my booted foot. “Not your decision, either.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw. I get a weird little thrill from seeing him so out of sorts after weeks of feeling exactly the same way.
“I’m leaving,” he growls. “I suggest you come with me.”
I scoff. “I’ve got no intention of riding home with you and Gemma.”
His eyes widen, then the corners of his mouth curl. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, City.”
I suck in a breath. There’s no way I’m giving him the satisfaction of knowing he’s right. “Jealous?” I force a laugh. “Why would I be jealous? Who you have fun with is none of my business. Just like who I have fun with is none of yours.”
His brows lower, and without another word, he stalks away.
Suddenly alone, even among the crowd, and not really interested in hunting for Cash, I hesitate for a moment before heading to our table. Maybe Taryn and Riley will want to dance again.
When I get there, Holden already has my purse, and Taryn’s waiting beside him.
“Holden said you’re ready to go,” she says. “And I’ve got to get up early to train. The others want to stay, so he’s going to take us home.”
I narrow my eyes at him. I never would have guessed he’d be so sneaky and underhanded.