Page 37 of Finding Happily Ever After
Shit. Shit. Shit.
With a massive effort, Steph took a breath and channeled her inner actress as she looked into the very same sexy, smoky eyes she’d just been talking about. She was an excellent actress, but even so, it took everything she had not to react to his gaze that was both teasing and challenging at the same time.
“I was just telling Faith that you’ve obviously been moving quite a bit up at Lynx Creek because it looks great.”
Behind her, she heard Faith choke back a laugh. “I should get Cole back to Hope. He’s starting to fuss.”
Stephanie didn’t turn to say good-bye; she kept her eyes focused on Travis, who fortunately had come off the dance floor alone. Damage control would be hard enough without having to monitor what Jolene told everyone as she served pastries and coffee on Monday.
“Well…” Travis spoke slowly. He tucked one hand in the back pocket of his worn jeans as his other hand tousled his hair.
Her stomach flipped as if she were a lovestruck teenager, but Steph worked to maintain her composure.
“You’re right.”
“I am?”
He nodded and his lips twitched up in a grin. “Oh yes.” He reached out and took her hand.
His touch was like fire against her skin that sent a shot directly between her legs and made her stomach flip upside down. But there was no way she could pull away.
“I definitely have moves.” And with as much cocky self-assurance as she’d expect from him, he pulled her closer, pressed his hand against the small of her back and, without asking, guided her to the dance floor, where he showed her exactly what kind of moves he had.
ChapterEleven
“You brought him!”Sarah grabbed Natalie’s arm and pulled her to the side of the barn so suddenly, Nat didn’t even see her new friend. “That must mean things are going well.”
Natalie shrugged, but her smile gave her away.
Things with Aidenweregoing well. They hadn’t been able to spend much time together in the last few weeks, but they’d texted and talked on the phone every day, and they had been able to sneak in a few little coffee dates and even a quick lunch or two. And it hadn’t taken her very long to figure out that absence reallydidmake the heart grow fonder. Or, in this case, it made her body react stronger. Because every time they actuallydidsee each other, she experienced a physical reaction to his presence. He didn’t even have to touch her, and she had full-body tingles.
And when hedidtouch her…well, her body responded hard and fast in ways that she’d never before experienced.
Desire. Need. Want.
There was no doubt in Natalie’s mind that although she’d hesitated earlier, the next time they had the opportunity to be alone, there would be no hesitation. None at all.
“I really like him,” she admitted to her friend. “We have a lot of fun together.”
Sarah wiggled her eyebrows, and Natalie smacked her arm playfully. “Not like that. At least not yet,” she added with a little grin.
“I’m so happy for you. Really.” Sarah pulled her into an impromptu hug. “So I won’t keep you. Go enjoy him.” She spun her around and pushed her back into the crowd as abruptly as she’d pulled her out.
Natalie was still laughing when Aiden came up behind her and slid an arm around her waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “What’s so funny?”
“Just Sarah.” She shook her head, dismissing it. “Where have you been?”
He turned so he was facing her. “Your new boss was introducing me to…” He waved a hand around. “Everyone.”
“That’s a lot of people.” She moved closer to him. She still didn’t know how close she should get to him. Or what the rules were when it came to kissing him.Were there any rules?Surely, there must be.Were they a couple? When was it official? Did they need to have a conversation about it like in high school? Or did it just happen?It was all so confusing.
“Whoa.” Aiden pulled away a little and assessed her. “What is going on in your head? I feel like you’re a million miles away.”
She tried to smile. “I was just thinking.”
“It looks like you’re thinking about something pretty hard.” He moved closer again, this time sliding both arms around her waist to pull her tight to him.
So much for rules.
