Page 6 of Spark (Lust & Luster)

Aryanna

“ T he Electric Cowboy is the best honky tonk in metro Atlanta,” cries Alicia that evening.

“Just ask any country-music lover—or better, you’ll see for yourself.

It’s a mixture of a bar, nightclub, and a dancehall.

There’s great live music, line dancing, mechanical bull riding, and a smokehouse grill.

People come from all over the country for it. You guys are going to love it!”

Alicia and Tom sit together on the party bus and can’t stop grinning.

I look at my best friend and wonder what happened to the alt-rock, goth-loving, anti-country-music girl I knew growing up.

I can’t believe this is what she had in mind when she said we’d have a “last hurrah” before we all go our separate ways.

On the ride over to the Electric Cowboy, I sit next to Chip on the party bus.

He tells me all about his job as a lawyer, how important he is, and how he’s on the partner track at the firm he and Tom work at.

This is the kind of guy I usually meet. Despite being reasonably good looking, he comes off as full of himself, though he’s probably quite insecure.

“Today I shot eight under par,” he informs me. “You know that’s in line with Tiger Woods when he was at his prime.”

I’m sure Tiger would clean up now at the simple course they played here in Georgia. But I smile. “Wow that’s very impressive.”

“Do you know how to line dance?” he asks.

“No, but I’m sure I can figure a way not to step on too many toes.”

Chip keeps talking, and eventually I drown him out. He doesn’t know anything about me because he hasn’t asked.

I watch Dante and Roxanne, who are sitting together a few rows up. She says something, and he laughs. I try to tame the green monster of jealousy. I’m the one who wanted to keep what happened between us private. It’s for the best. When this all blows up, I don’t want everyone to hate me.

When we arrive, Alicia marches directly over to a clipboard on the wall by the mechanical bull.

Alicia links her arm with mine. “Isn’t this fantastic?”

“Sure. It’s quite a place.”

She gives me a too-innocent smile.

“What are you up to?”

“Listen, I love Roxanne, but she’s not right for Dante,” she explains. “You are. You both have that gem thing going for you.”

“He’s asked me a lot of questions, but he’s never asked me what I do for a living.”

She swishes her hand. “I told him you were a master gemcutter. That’s why he didn’t ask.”

I look at her. “He must have forgotten, because he explained gemcutting to me.”

Alicia rolls her eyes. “Roxanne is better suited to Charles, but they can’t stand each other. They may be too alike.”

“Maybe that’s what Dante thinks about me,” I offer.

We wander around and stop at a viewing area above the dance floor. There are forty or fifty people, who probably don’t know one another, clapping, stomping, sliding, and swaying their hips in unison in a line dance. I’m in complete awe.

Chip seems to have found a woman in tight Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. Just when I’m thinking that gets me off the hook, it seems Charles is ready to pounce.

“Any interest in a dance?” he asks as he joins me at the viewing area railing.

“I’m just taking this all in. It’s a whole new world to me,” I tell him. “Have you ever seen anything like this?”

Charles chuckles. “I grew up in Nashville. I know a lot about honky-tonks.”

It seems he’s a little more subtle than Chip.

“What is there to know?” I ask.

“The food is usually top shelf, but it’s typical barbecue style. Here it may be North Carolina barbecue, possibly Texas, but certainly not Kansas City style.”

I don’t know there was a difference in barbecue styles, but I love me some ribs. “That’ll work for me. That sounds fantastic, actually.”

“The big dance floors are a lot of fun.” He looks down at my shoes.

I’m wearing a wedge with a rubber sole.

“Leather shoes make gliding and sliding as you dance easier than the rubber soles on your shoes.”

I shrug. “Well, I’ll cross line dancing off my to do list.”

He laughs heartily. “I knew you were awfully clever.”

What century is this guy from? “Yeah, that’s what all the guys call me. Clever Aryanna.”

Charles blushes. “At some point there will also be big debates over who is better: Miranda Lambert or Trisha Yearwood.”

I’m only vaguely familiar with those names. “And the right answer is?”

“Trisha is married to Garth Brooks. He’s my favorite, so I go with Trisha, but Miranda Lambert is beautiful, and it’s not like I’d kick her out of bed.”

“So you’re really rating their bedroom capabilities and not their talent?”

“They’re both extremely talented.”

I’m gearing up to dive into all the things wrong with his statement when I hear my name over the loudspeaker.

I turn to Alicia and she’s bouncing up and down. “It’s your turn to ride the mechanical bull.” She’s cheering and clapping.

I give her the you’ve-got-to-be-joking look. “I thought you were kidding.”

“Nope. You’ll be a pro at this,” Alicia assures me.

I follow her back downstairs to the bull, and I quickly discover there’s another thing my shoes can’t do this evening: walk across these mats, which are more than two feet tall. So, I slip my shoes off and hand them to Alicia.

As I approach, the gentleman standing next to the mechanical bull looks at my non-cowgirl attire. “Have you ever done this before?”

I shake my head.

“Okay, the bull will run for two minutes. I’ll put you on the lowest setting and see how it goes.

It will move back and forth, and you’ll have better balance if you wrap your arm around the strap with one hand and put your other hand up in the air.

These here mats should keep you from hurting yourself when you fall.

Just think of yourself as making love and riding a cowboy. ”

I blush and nod. That was quite a pep talk. “I can do this.”

He smacks me on the ass. “Get on up.”

I look over at the crowd, and there’s Dante with a giant grin. She’s still glued to his side. Fine. Let her. He’s going to need a break eventually—and I’ll be there.

Alicia’s arms are waving, and she’s more excited than she should be. Oh boy .

The bull starts its rocking motion, and although it takes some subtle turns, I’m able to stay on for the next two minutes. It just requires concentration.

When the ride’s over, the man who gave me the safety spiel helps me down. “You were pretty damn impressive there, missy.”

“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I got you up to advanced beginner on that one towards the end, trying to see if I could throw you off. Be prepared—you’re going to get quite a few dance requests after those moves.”

I giggle. “Thankfully, my dance card is full.”

Alicia squeals and gives me a hug before going over to take her turn. She looks like a pro on the bull.

“That’s my woman!” Tom yells during her ride.

But then the mechanical bull picks up steam, rocking more quickly and changing directions. Alicia starts laughing, and within thirty seconds, she’s fallen off.

Roxanne’s turn is next. I stand next to Dante as we watch her climb on the bull.

He leans over to me. “Your ride gave me the biggest hard-on.”

A boy in tight jeans, boots, and a hat—who’s maybe twenty-one years old—comes over and asks me to dance.

I politely thank him and tell him I’m here with someone.

He tips his hat to Dante. “You’re a lucky man.”

I wink at Dante as Charles approaches, and I walk off with him.

As we walk toward the table reserved for our group, Alicia pulls me aside. “I still have hopes for you and Dante. He’s had his eye on you all night.”

I shake my head. “Naw. I’m not sure we’ve gelled.”

I sit between Alicia and Charles, and dinner is outstanding. I went for half a rack of ribs, and I couldn’t finish them. Thankfully, Tom and Charles helped.

At the end of the evening, we take the party bus back to the hotel. Roxanne has had too much to drink and is a bit sloppy.

“Can you help me get her back to her room?” Dante asks.

Alicia’s brows rise.

“We all rode down in the same elevator,” he explains. “We’re on the same floor.”

Her face falls, and I cover a smile. Why is she so intent on the two of us being together?

“Come on, Roxanne, let’s get you a big glass of water and your bed,” Dante says.

“As long as you’re coming with me,” Roxanne slurs.

It takes some work, but we get her to her room. She mumbles to Dante, but we get her undressed and leave behind a big glass of water before we escape.

When I get to my room, Dante follows me in. “Do you know how hot it was to watch you ride that bull?”

“I thought of you while I was doing it.”

He steps forward and his lips are on mine, but I hesitate a moment.

“What? Is everything okay?” he asks.

I love that he asks. Rather than tell him now that I’m leaving before the sun is even up in the morning, I improvise. “Let’s have a little fun for our last hurrah. I’m just not sure about this…”

He raises a brow. “What do you mean?”

I flip my hair and lick my lips. “I don’t even know if you like me.”

Dante’s eyes unashamedly roam over my body. “I definitely like you and you’re very beautiful.”

I fan my face for effect. “Dante, are you flirting with me?”

“Just an observation. I’m sure with your looks you’ll have many admirers.” He smiles, unwittingly playing the game.

I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear and run my finger down its length so it settles at the top of my breast. “Ooh, aren’t you sweet.” I offer my best girly smile. “But I don’t just sleep with anyone.”

Dante clears his throat. “So…”

A warm, tingling sensation ripples down my spine as his eyes lower to drift up my slightly parted thighs. “Dante, are you thinking naughty thoughts?”

He adjusts himself. “Sorry, I was just admiring how lovely you look tonight.”

“Hoping for a glimpse of my panties? What color do you think they are today?” I ask, grinning even more playfully.

Dante’s eyes widen, and he appears lost for words.