She gave him a flat look, and he snapped his mouth shut after letting out a chuckle.
“I’m going to date you so good your head will spin,” he said almost gleefully.
“Well.”
“What?”
Lacey snickered. “You’re going to date me well…”
He stared at her for a moment then threw his head back and laughed. Then without warning her, he pushed his hand behind the nape of her neck and pulled her close. “Whatever makes you happy,” he whispered, before his lips crushed over hers.
The best part was the way she kissed him back.
She actually leaned into him, opened up to him, and gave herself over.
His whole body thrummed with energy and desire. He didn’t hear the music or the crowds of people around him. The only thing that mattered was the connection he was making with this beautiful woman in front of him.
No one had the capacity of making him feel this way—like he was capable of anything. She wanted him to be happy, and she actually believed in him.
A soft sigh escaped her lips when their kiss came to an end. Her lashes fluttered before her focus returned to him. He could have died happy just seeing that smile on her face. Mack jerked his chin toward the dance floor. “What do you say we have some more fun before you have to get back home to your boy.”
He stood and held out his hand to her. Somehow, he was still surprised when she accepted, and he tugged her to her feet.
With a fluid movement, he slipped his arm around her waist and tugged her against his body. A quiet gasp escaped her lips, and her arms wrapped around his neck. Something had shifted. He could sense it in the way she leaned into him. He’d finally shattered the walls she’d erected around her.
Mack leaned down, stealing one more kiss before he led her into the crowd of people.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lacey glancedup at Mack out of the corner of her eye. His hand was laced with her own, and they were wandering along a creek. Ducks quacked and swam along with them, likely hoping they’d get fed.
Bridger held her other hand and pointed with excitement at the animals.
It had been a week since she’d finally given in and chosen happiness over her fears. It wasn’t hard to get close to Mack when he was just as sweet as he’d always been. The only thing she worried about was Bridger letting it slip that they’d been spending more time with him.
Angela still didn’t know, though she’d stopped talking about him.
After she got back from her trip to Billings, Angela had sworn off men. Bridger had been confused over the notion, and Angela had just brushed him off.
Today, Angela had a couple of meetings in Billings but promised to be home later tonight, which left Lacey with a whole day of basking in the glow of her budding relationship with Mack.
He leaned closer to her before brushing a kiss to her knuckles. She snuck a look at him again before offering him a shy smile. It was still strange to be in this position. Not only dating someone, but Mack specifically.
Mack caught her eye and grinned. “I was thinking about something. And of course you can say no.”
“What is it?” she laughed. There was nothing he could do to surprise her. Lately, she expected the unexpected.
He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned at her again. “Well, you know how I’m training to enter the bronc riding event at the next rodeo?”
She nodded.
“What would you say to the possibility of Bridger coming out to the ranch and learning the ropes?”
Lacey was wrong. He could surprise her. “Absolutely not.”
He stared at her for a moment, then his face split with a grin. “No, I mean, would he like to learn how to ride? Or take care of the animals? I thought with his interest in animals that he might enjoy hanging out with me after my training and get some education at the same time.”
She gaped at him. Granted, she’d assumed that he meant teaching Bridger how to ride a bucking horse. But this was much better. “You… want to teach him how to ride?”
