Wild Borders by Cheyenne McCray Page A

in time with the music, but gradually she relaxed, her head against his chest, his arms secure around her. He drank in the scent of her, reveled in the feel of her soft body against his. The swell of her breasts against his chest, the curve of her waist beneath his hands. Her hips and thighs were so close to his he was all but making love to her on the dance floor.
    Well, hell . Damn if he wasn’t getting rock-hard just dancing with her. He muttered another curse under his breath and eased away from her as the song ended and the band stopped to take a break.
    “Did you say something?” she asked as they parted.
    He took a deep breath and willed his body to behave. “Would you like a cold one?”
    She nodded, her honey-blonde hair brushing her shoulders.
    Rick put his hand to her elbow and guided her to the buffet tables. “Looks like the folks are getting ready to leave with Trevor.” He inclined his head toward where his parents stood talking to Stan and Marnie Torres, and their son Bobby. Sadie was holding her empty enchilada tray and Trevor was showing Bobby his snake rattle.
    “Would you like to stay?” Rick asked, hoping she’d say yes. “I’ll drive you home.”
    Lani glanced at him for a second before looking away. Was that fear mingled with desire in her eyes? “I should be getting back with everyone else.”
    “Why?” Rick tilted his head and gave Lani that sexy smile that made her toes curl and her insides melt into pools of liquid silver. “Afraid of being alone with me?” His tone was low and husky.
    Lani sighed. “Yes. I am.”
    “Don’t be.” He took her hand, his incredible blue eyes looking at her like they were the only people who existed. “I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”
    “I know. But…” Her heart pounded as she glanced toward his parents. “It’s late.”
    He squeezed her hand, sending shivers throughout her body. “The dance won’t last much longer. I promise to take you right home.”
    “Are you two staying?” Sadie asked as she came up behind them.
    Lani jumped and snatched her hand away from Rick, and was sure she managed to turn ten shades of red for the umpteenth time.
    “I was just convincing Lani to stay,” Rick said, never taking his eyes from Lani.
    Lani glanced from Sadie to Rick. “Maybe a little longer,” she replied, despite her misgivings. “But not too long. I—I’m worn out from all this dancing.”
    “Wonderful.” Sadie patted Lani’s arm and smiled. “We’ll leave the light on.”
    “Thanks,” Lani murmured as Rick laced his fingers with hers and led her to the buffet.
    He released her to ladle punch into a plastic cup and then handed it to her. She accepted it, her hand trembling a little as she swallowed the drink that tasted of pineapples and sherbet. When she finished, he tossed their cups into the garbage, then led her onto the dance floor.
    A song with a fast beat was playing, and she said, “I just learned to dance to country western tonight, so I’ll probably stomp on your toes a few times.”
    He smiled and slid his arm around her waist. “You can step on my toes all you want.”
    “Stomp.” Lani gave a mischievous grin as they started to two-step. “I figure I owe you.”
    Rick chuckled. “Thanks for the warning.”
    By the time they’d danced to a couple of songs, she was relaxed and enjoying herself. Rick was an excellent dancer and teacher, even better than Sal, and she managed to only stomp on his boots two or three times.
    At the end of one particularly fast number that she’d had a hard time learning, Lani was laughing so hard she stepped on Rick’s foot and she almost fell. He caught her and slid his arms around her waist. Her laughter died in her throat as the lights dimmed and a slow tune started, and she saw the look in Rick’s eyes. So intense. Burning with desire. For her.
    She tried to back away, but he held her tight. “I—I’m all sweaty, Rick.”
    “So am I.” He moved his lips to her ear and