He flashed his smile at me.
“Ever the gentleman,” I said.
“I can be,” he said, his smile growing.
Then his gaze changed to one of a predator.
“Other times, I am the furthest thing.” I shivered.
Where was this super flirty side coming from? I knew he could be like this with other women. When I had gone to the local rodeos the few times I had the time, he flirted with any attractive woman who paid him attention. I’d seen him turn this charm on others, but I never imagined it would be directed my way. I never imagined I would be here, with him, even if it was all fake.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the club. There was a long line out front, but Riley pulled me right past it to the bouncer standing at the front of the line.
“Mr. Reys,” the bouncer said, nodding to Riley. He lifted the rope and nodded for us to head back.
I felt eyes on me and turned back to the line. I saw the hateful glares of women and the lustful gazes of men. I felt like someone to be desired at that moment. My anxiety went haywire at all the attention I received, just by accompanying Riley here. But at the same time, the jealousy from the women fueled this lighter-than-air feeling that Riley seemed to bring out in me. I was here with the guy everyone wanted. They didn’t know it wasn’t real, and that gave me some fake confidence. I did my best to put a lid on the nervousness and push it to the back corner of my mind.
The lustful gaze of the guys also fueled the confidence. When things were over with Riley, maybe I could come here and find a rebound? If I could ever get the confidence to come here alone. Melanie might want to come with me.
I turned back around and followed Riley inside of the club. I was eager to put some space between me and all of these people.
“Do you want a drink?” he asked me over the loud music.
“Sure,” I answered.
I was going to need one to get through this.
He guided me to the bar. I leaned against it while he got the bartender’s attention. We were in a country music bar. The decorations were a mix between a saloon and a sophisticated club. Some girls were dressed a little more classic, like me. Others were wearing flannel, jean skirts, and boots. Most of the guys were dressed like Riley.
He placed a drink in my hands.
“I’ve been dying to see you dance for weeks. Can you indulge me?” he asked.
With the way he was looking at me, I would have stripped naked in this club if he asked. I was nervous, but he told me he had brought me here to dance. It was a normal request and would be reasonable for anyone else. For anyone who wasn’t shy like I was. I still needed to try.
I nodded and took a large gulp of my drink. He took my other hand and led me to the dance floor.
Once we were in the center of the dance floor, with other people pressed up against us on all sides, my eyes got huge. I didn’t sign up for dancing with others, just him.
I could feel my eyebrows raise and my eyes become wide like saucers.
“It’s okay, Emma, I’ve got you. Just pay attention to me, and forget everything else.”
I swallowed, focusing on the words he had to scream at me over the music. Then I nodded.
“Wine, Beer, Whiskey” by Little Big Town came blasting through the speakers, and I let out a smile. Riley started moving his body to the beat, and I concentrated on what he was doing, and then I followed. His gaze was locked with mine. I shut out everything completely besides Riley and the music.
By the time the chorus came around again, the music had taken control, and I was dancing to the beat of the horns and enjoying myself. I held my glass up in a mock toast, and Riley clinked his glass with mine. We finished off our drinks quickly. When we were done, Riley took our empty glasses and placed them on the tray of a server walking by.
Riley placed his hands on my hips, continuing to move with the beat of the song. A staff member walked by us, and Riley tapped on his shoulder and whispered something in the man’s ear. Riley placed some money in the guy’s shirt pocket, who then nodded.
My eyes followed the man as he walked up to the DJ and shouted something to him over the sound of the music. When the song ended, the next transitioned in, and I immediately recognized it.
“Sway” filled the room, and a smile lit up my face. This was the song I was dancing to with the horses when Riley first started shadowing me. His eyes lit up when he saw I recognized this song was his doing. He spun me around so my back was pressed against his chest. His hands rested on my hips, and I began to sway.
The beat felt almost primal. I could feel Riley’s attraction to me as we danced, and I reveled in it. If this had to end eventually, I would have this moment. Dancing in a crowded room, where I felt hot under his gaze. His breath tickled my ear, and it was driving me wild.
I lost track of how many songs we danced to before my attention came back to our surroundings. Gazes were thrown our way. Some pictures were taken here and there, and the occasional finger was pointed our way.
