“Except CJ.”
“CJ has issues.”
“Don’t we all. I was hoping he and I could be friends, but that’s turning out to be more difficult than I thought.”
“So he’s said.”
“You’d think we could dance together at least once tonight. I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be here since everybody has to get up for work. I wonder if he was planning to ask at all.”
“You could ask him, instead.”
“Yes, I could. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I’ll blame pregnancy brain.” Or pride. “If he turns me down, then—”
“He won’t. That’s not CJ.”
“You’re right. Thanks for the suggestion.” She surveyed the couples on the floor. “He’s dancing with the woman who owns the indoor riding arena.”
“That’s Ed.”
“I need to catch him before he takes her back to the table where the Babes are. If I don’t, he’s liable to ask one of the others. That’s mostly who he’s danced with.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure we’re within range of CJ and Ed when the song ends.”
“You’re a pal, Jake.”
“We’ll have to double-time it to get there, though. Hold on.” Dodging and weaving through the dancers, he twirled her for a dramatic finish that left her face-to-face with CJ as the last notes of the song trailed off.
He exchanged a look with Jake. No telling what unspoken message it conveyed, but it obviously meant something.
Breathing fast from the accelerated pace, she touched CJ’s arm and gasped out her question. “May I have the next dance?”
His gray gaze lit up. “I’d be honored.”
Chapter Eleven
For the past half-hour, CJ had been itching to dance with Izzy. But the Brotherhood had advised him to hold off. Matt had finally given him the go-ahead and he’d planned to approach her after escorting Ed back to the table. She’d beat him to it. Bonus.
There was the matter of returning Ed, though.
“I’ve got this,” Jake murmured. Turning, he bowed to Ed. “May I have this dance, ma’am?”
Ed grinned. “Certainly, son. CJ got me all warmed up. Think you can handle a hot Babe like me?”
“I doubt it, but I’m more than willing to try.”
Shaking with anticipation, CJ turned to Izzy. He’d given the band specific instructions and added a generous tip. Right on cue, they played the opening chords of his requested song, Tim McGraw’s She’s My Kind of Rain. He held Izzy’s gaze and slowly drew her into his arms.
As the lyrics spilled over them, he began to move. He longed to tuck her in tight, but that part was up to her. The glow in her dark eyes brightened, filling him with so much joy he could barely breathe.
Gradually she eliminated the distance between them. When her body finally nestled against his and she locked her hands behind his neck, he settled his clasped hands at the small of her back. So sweet. So perfect.
“I gave up on you asking me.”
“I was about to.”
“That’s what they all say.”
“I wanted to give you—”
“Space?” The corners of her plump, kissable mouth turned up.
He nodded.
“But you invited me to go along tonight.”
“You’d said you wanted an evening at the Choosy Moose.”
“Mostly to dance with you. It’s one of the things we do best.”
“The second-best thing.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Well, it is.”
“Yeah, okay.” She favored him with a tiny smile.
“Your hair looks great.”
“Thanks. Eva did a good job. She said to tell you hello.” Her body brushed his in a gentle, sensual rhythm.
“I like how she cuts my hair.”
“I think she has a slight crush.”
“I don’t encourage her.”
“Why not?”
“My interests lie elsewhere.” Time to switch topics. “How’s Naomi doing at the shop?”
“Just fine.”
So much for that conversational thread. “I noticed you picked up boots today. Like ’em?”
“Yep. Comfier than my high-heeled ones. Bought a hat, too.”
“Sounds like you’re ready to ride.”
“Tomorrow. With Lucy and Matt.”
“So I heard.”
“You did?”
“Word gets around.”
“Hm.” Her gaze turned speculative. “This song… I’m trying to remember if I mentioned it to you back in April.”
“You might have.” He’d learned it, could have asked the band to let him sit in and play it with them. Choosing between showboating on stage or holding Izzy on the dance floor had been easy.
“Is it a coincidence they’re playing it now?”
“No, ma’am. I promised myself I’d have at least one dance with you. When I knew for sure the time was coming up, I requested it.”
“So you really were about to ask me?”
“I was.”
“That’s very romantic.”
“I’m a romantic guy.”
“I’m beginning to see that. You remembered we danced to it at the wedding reception.”
“And you said it reminds you of the misty rain in Seattle, which is fun to walk in without an umbrella, especially when it’s warm.”
“I said all that?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I guess the champagne loosened my tongue.”
“You were fun that night. A little crazy, but—”
“Maybe too crazy.”
“Not really. You mellowed out toward the end of the evening. Then the band played this. It was a turning point. For me, anyway.”
Her voice softened. “And me. Dancing with you to this song was… a special moment.”
“All the moments were special.” He took a slow breath and let it out. “Izzy… can I take you home?”
She stiffened. “Is that what—”
“It’s not what you think. I won’t come in.”
“You won’t?”
Was there a trace of disappointment in her voice? “I thought we’d talk during the drive. I have some things to say.”
“That’s it? Just talking?” She sounded doubtful.
“And a kiss goodnight, if you’ll agree.”
“Aha.”
“Just one. Then I’ll leave.”
Color bloomed in her cheeks. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“I give you my word.” He dragged in another breath. “If I ever make love to you again, and I hope to God I will, I don’t want a single doubt in your heart.”
“You’re confusing the heck out of me, CJ. I wonder if I know you at all.”
“I want you to. I want to know you, too.” He pressed her closer. The rounding of her belly was so slight that he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t known.
The reality still scared him some, but it also made him so happy he wanted
