Page 24 of Backup Cowboy
Her shoulders drop as she exhales, and she takes a small step toward me. The scent of her shampoo, something floral and clean, fills my lungs as the dim lights of the hallway shine in her eyes.
Without hesitation, I pull her into the hallway, my arm settling at the small of her back as I draw her close. The melody drifts through the empty corridor, creating our own intimate and private moment where we fall into an easy two-step.
Her blue-green eyes look into mine as she follows my lead effortlessly, our feet finding rhythm without thought. Hootie and Scotty sing about moonlight and holding hands as I turn her in slow circles, her body moving with mine like we've danced together a hundred times.
Golden light from the wall sconces illuminates her soft features as she hums along. We glide together across the narrow hallway, swaying more than stepping, the tension finally thawing between us. Letting her guard down, Alex’s cheek settles on my chest as we move in time to the music.
As the song ends, I spin her out and reel her back in so that she collides softly with my chest. I pull her into a hug. “I’m sorry, Boots.” I breathe in her fresh scent. “And you were right. I was never confused about what this is.”
“What is this to you?”
“Something beautiful.”
I kiss her softly on the lips, then pick up my phone off the wood floor. “Thank you for the dance.”
Her cheeks flush as she looks at me. “I accept your apology, Cas.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As she closes the door, she whispers, “For the record, I’m falling for you, too.”
Twenty Minutes Later
I wanted to stay with Alex. Fuck me if leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I hurt her, and she needed to know I’m not the kind of man who intentionally hurts the people I love.
I’m staring out at the darkened hills, hands in my pockets, as her words play over and over in my head. I’m falling for you, too. She wouldn’t share that with me if she wasn’t ready to forgive me, right?
That’s not a word I’m used to or allow myself the courtesy of having. Forgiveness. And I think it’s about time I allow myself some of that.
A soft knock sounds at the door behind me, deliberate and confident, making my stomach flip.
Is it her?
Can’t be. It’s late.
But who else would knock at this hour? Eli or Matty would reach me by phone for a ranch emergency.
Anxious, I swing the door open without waiting to see who’s on the other side, my pulse spiking in anticipation.
Damn if it’s not Alex’s curvy frame that greets me, her hair now dry, her sweats still ratty. Her voice catches in her throat. “I missed you.”
I yank her inside, pulling her close, and whisper in her ear, “I missed the hell out of you, too, Boots. So fucking much.”
Although it’s dark in the room, moonlight shines through the large windows, illuminating the space that’s a carbon copy of hers. Wordless, Alex takes my hand and guides me toward the bedroom.
I stop her steps away from the four-poster bed. “I’m so fucking sorry, Alex.”
“I know.” She stands on tiptoe to kiss my chin. “What you did wasn’t really about me. You were protecting yourself, and I get that.”
She rests her head on my chest, squeezing me tight. “You also took accountability for your actions, which says everything I need to know.”
My throat is tight with the reality of just how much I care about Alex. Her light snuck into my darkness and lit it from within.
“What we have is too important to let fear win, Caspian. I forgive you, but I need you to forgive yourself, too.” She slowly backs toward the bed, drawing me with her.
I slide the curtains open so the moonlight shines within. It gives her skin a milky glow as she pulls her sweatshirt over her head, tossing it to the floor.
Time seems to slow and race all at once, the world narrowing to just this, the taste of her lips, the soft sound she makes when I kiss her, the way her fingers tangle in my hair like she's afraid I might disappear. When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.