Chapter 5
Miles
I stand by the bar, sipping the last bit of my beer and watching Vivian as she walks off to the bathroom, leaving me alone with Greg and Mindy who seem to be in their own little bubble as they get to know each other and exchange flirtatious jokes.
Vivian’s the most beautiful woman in this damn room and not just in that obvious way. It’s the way she carries herself. Like she doesn’t even realize she’s turning heads. Like she’s completely unaware of the energy she gives off.
That long brown hair sways behind her as she walks, hips moving with a slow, unbothered confidence that damn near has me forgetting where I am. And then there’s that outfit, the one making it impossible to look away.
She’s in these tight-ass, dark wash bell-bottom jeans that hug her hips like they’re stitched onto her body. They curve around her ass in a way that’s got my hands twitching. Her waist is cinched by a light brown corset top that shows just enough cleavage to make me lose my train of thought.
Fuck.
She looks too damn good.
She’s got an hourglass figure that looks like a goddamn sin wrapped in denim and lace.
Two women have already tried hitting on me tonight—one blonde, one brunette. Both attractive in that easy, polished way. The kind of girls I used to say yes to without thinking twice. They even offered to have a threesome. But I’m not interested in them or any other woman.
Because none of them move like her. None of them hold that kind of presence, like the air shifts when she walks by. None of them have that quiet strength in their eyes and still show as soft. Kind.
And fuck, I want her.
“Got your eye on anyone tonight, Sanchez?” Greg questions while shooting me a wink.
I do have my eyes on someone, but he doesn’t know that and neither does she.
I shake my head. “No, but I can see that you do.” I wink back at him, earning myself a laugh from both him and Mindy.
His arm is wrapped around Mindy’s waist, their heads slowly getting closer as they speak.
I shake my head. “Get a room,” I say with a smirk as I take a sip of beer.
Mindy leans in to me, grabbing my arm to balance herself as she tiptoes to reach my ear. “We definitely will, Cowboy.”
I laugh at her response; she’s a dangerous woman from what I can see.
I glance around the bar, watching a group of line dancers on the floor.
Most of them are women in jean shorts and cowboy boots, with a couple of men trying to keep up with the routine, which cracks me up.
I spot a group of ladies that seem to be celebrating a bachelorette party—I can tell by all the dick straws, dick headbands, and a sash the one blonde is wearing that states the obvious: Bride-to-be.
As I twist my body to face the bar, something catches my attention.
A hairy, tattooed arm grabbing Vivian as she leaves the bathroom. He moves his arm to her waist, now whispering something in her ear which causes her to back away, making it harder for me to stay by the bar instead of going over there to check if everything’s okay.
I shouldn’t get involved, it’s none of my business.
But she removes his hand quickly from her waist and tries to make her way back to us when he grabs her again.
This time with a little more force.
Fuck no.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Greg and Mindy, without taking my eyes off Vivian.
I make my way through the chatty, laughing crowd of people. She’s now pulling her arm away from his firm grip; I can’t hear what’s being said but I already know he’s crossed the line and won’t take no for an answer.
“Is there a problem here?” I ask, already knowing there is.
She looks up at me with a strange look on her face, almost as if I’m the one causing the problem.
“Everything’s fine, Miles. Just go,” she insists, pushing his hand.
Again.
I shift my focus from Vivian to the scruffy-looking guy, ignoring her comment because I know how disgusting men can be, and this guy right here is one of them—those who think no means yes. I knew this guy from high school, and he clearly hasn’t changed.
“Let go of her arm, she’s not interested,” I say firmly, keeping my focus on his sinister eyes.
He turns to face me, his grip still tight around her arm.
“Ah, if it isn’t the town’s famous bull rider,” he sneers, his whiskey breath hitting me like a truck.
I stand my ground. I’m not looking for a fight, but it’s hard not to punch this motherfucker. I stay calm, stepping in front of Vivian and getting inches from his face.
“She’s not interested, so I suggest you get your fucking hands off her and leave her alone,” I say, keeping my voice steady, eyes on him. I watch as he releases Vivian, looks me up and down, spits on the floor, and walks away.
Turning to Vivian, I see her flushed face.
“What did he say to you?” I ask curiously.
She doesn’t look at me; instead stares at the ground, her jaw clenched.
“I had it under control. I don’t need you or anyone else coming in and acting all heroic,” she snaps, crossing her arms and sounding annoyed.
I remove my hat and run a hand through my hair, letting out a frustrated sigh.
“I’m sure you did, but I didn’t like where it was going,” I say, my brow furrowing.
“I wasn’t just going to stand by the bar watching you be uncomfortable because of some bastard who doesn’t take no for an answer.
” My voice carries a hint of frustration, and I try to meet her eyes, hoping she understands.
She finally looks up, her eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and something else I can’t quite place.
“I didn’t need saving,” she repeats, her voice softer but firm.
I step closer, my breath warm against her ear as I lower my mouth to whisper. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”
I pull back, meeting her gaze, and for a moment, everything else fades. Those doe eyes of hers, soft and full of unspoken things, lock onto mine. The tension in the air shifts, her expression softening ever so slightly, her arms uncrossing.
“Sorry,” she mutters, her gaze flicking behind me to where Greg and Mindy are standing. “Shall we go back to them?” She gestures toward them, a soft smile dancing on her lips, like she’s trying to hide just how much she’s enjoying the moment.
A small relieved smile tugs at my lips.
“Sure,” I reply, slipping my hat back on, but then something shifts, and I stop, my hand pausing mid-air. “Actually…would you like to sit outside for a bit?”
She hesitates, just for a second, and I notice the subtle change in her posture, her shoulders dropping, like she’s been holding her breath. Then she nods, the tension easing from her face. “Yeah…sure.”
The night air hits us like a breath of fresh air as we step outside, the buzz of the bar fading behind us.
The patio is quiet, the kind of peaceful corner that feels like a secret escape from the noise and heat inside.
I guide us to a table tucked away in the shadows, just far enough from the chaos to hear my own thoughts again.
I settle into the chair opposite Vivian, my eyes catching the subtle release of tension in her shoulders as she eases into her seat. The cool night breeze brushing past, and I tilt my head back slightly, letting my hat shield my face from the dim lights above.
I watch her for a moment, taking in the way the soft light hits her skin.
“Funny,” I say, breaking the comfortable silence. “Greg and Mindy seemed to hit it off pretty quickly in there.”
Vivian’s eyes flicker to mine for a split second, and something like surprise flits across her face before she looks away. There’s a soft amusement in her voice when she answers, but her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, they did.”
“They look good together,” I comment, chuckling softly. “But when you left for the bathroom, I was third-wheeling so bad.”
Vivian laughs, the sound ringing out in the quiet night air. Even I can’t help but laugh too.
As Vivian’s laughter subsides, a comfortable silence falls between us, punctuated only by the soft murmur of conversation drifting from inside the bar.
After a moment, Vivian clears her throat, her expression thoughtful. “You know,” she begins, her voice quieter now, “it’s funny how people can just click like that. Sometimes, it’s like they’ve known each other for years, even when they’ve only just met.”
I nod in agreement, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips.
Vivian’s gaze meets mine, and for the first time tonight, I see a hint of vulnerability in her eyes.
I consider her question for a moment, the gentle breeze ruffling my hair. “I think, sometimes things happen for a reason. Whether it’s fate or just pure coincidence, who’s to say?”
Vivian nods, her expression thoughtful. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
As we sit in the quiet corner of the patio, the door to the bar swings open, and Greg and Mindy stumble out, their laughter echoing. Greg’s arm is draped around Mindy’s shoulders, and they both look tipsy and happy.
“Hey, there you are!” Mindy calls out, her voice warm and giddy mixed with the type of loudness someone gets after they have had far too many drinks.
“Why don’t you come inside and dance with us?
” she asks as she sits next to Vivian and lays her head on her shoulder.
“Please come dance with me,” she pleads, her voice soft and hopeful as Vivian looks down at her.
Greg, Mindy, and I watch her, all of us waiting for her to say something, anything.
Vivian’s gaze meets mine for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she sighs softly and shifts her attention to Mindy.
“I said I wouldn’t dance, remember?” she says, her voice laced with a hint of reluctance.
Mindy’s face immediately drops into a dramatic pout, the kind only she can pull off with that mix of innocence and mischief. Her eyes go wide, pleading with Vivian like a puppy waiting for its treat.
Vivian’s resolve softens, the corner of her mouth twitching into a reluctant smile. “I can never say no to you,” she finally admits, her voice giving in to Mindy’s infectious energy.
Mindy squeals in delight, practically launching herself off the bench, bouncing on her feet with excitement. “Yes!” she exclaims, grabbing Vivian’s hand and pulling her to her feet before she can even protest.
I can’t help but laugh watching them. It’s moments like this that make me realize how much I’ve come to enjoy the way they light up a room with their energy and how damn hard it is for Vivian to resist them.
Mindy pulls Vivian up from the bench we were peacefully sitting on, and they both start walking toward the entrance of the bar.
“This is going to be fun!” I hear Mindy exclaim.
Greg hooks his arm around my shoulders like he was doing with Mindy. “You ready to dance, Sanchez?” He chuckles.
* * *
As “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” pulses through the crowded dance floor, Mindy and Vivian dance together, their laughter mingling with the rhythm.
I watch Vivian from afar as I stand by the bar, unable to tear my eyes away as she moves her body with effortless sensuality. Greg makes his way to Mindy, a playful grin on his face as he twirls her around before holding his hand out for Vivian to do the same.
They all laugh together as Vivian catches my gaze and smiles, a flicker of warmth in her eyes that sends a shiver down my spine.
Feeling a sudden surge of courage, I make my way over to Vivian with a smile and I extend my hand toward her, silently asking her to dance with me.
Vivian hesitates for a moment, uncertainty flickering across her features, but then she places her hand in mine, a small smile playing at her lips.
As Vivian and I dance, our laughter blending seamlessly with the music, Greg joins us on the dance floor, his playful antics adding to the festive atmosphere. With a mischievous grin, he sweeps Vivian off her feet, twirling her around in a dizzying whirlwind of movement.
I can’t help but chuckle at their antics as I watch them dance together. But then, Mindy appears by my side, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Your turn, Miles,” she declares, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the center of the dance floor.
Before I can protest, Mindy starts moving to the rhythm, her infectious energy pulling me along with her. I spin her around before she looks up at me. “Nice moves you got, Cowboy.” Then she winks, making me tilt my head back and laugh.
Then, just as suddenly as she pulled me onto the dance floor, Mindy switches partners, leaving me standing there, momentarily stunned. But before I can react, Vivian is back by my side, a playful glint in her eyes taking my hand and pulling me back onto the dance floor.
As we move together, the distance between us closes in. I twirl her, and we laugh together as she falls into my chest. She looks up at me with those big brown Bambi eyes, but suddenly her facial expression changes.
The smile and glow that she had on her face dimmed and she pulls away from me.
“I’m sorry, I’ve—” Vivian starts as she shakes her head. “I’ve got to go.” And she rushes to the exit.
I stand there looking at Mindy, hoping she can give me an answer but instead she apologizes too.
“I’ll go check on her,” she says and follows Vivian out.
It leaves me confused, but Greg doesn’t seem confused at all. In fact, it’s like he’s seen this before.