Page 43 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

When they reached the guys, Ford stepped forward and held out a fresh drink. "You ready for this?"

She took it with a smile. "Thanks."

"She's ready to dance," Laney said as she swept by them on her way to Luke, who was already coming to meet her with a big smile on his face.

Ford cocked an eyebrow. "You want to?"

She hesitated. "I don't know how..."

"Come on, Lia!" Sierra tugged at her arm. Wade stood with her, smiling at them.

She nodded before looking back up at Ford.

"I can show you if you want to do it, but we can stay here if you don't."

"I want to try."

The smile that spread across his face was worth stepping out of her comfort zone for. Even two-stepping out of it.

And when they reached the dance floor and he curled his arm around her waist, she decided that dancing might become her new favorite pastime.

"It's just two quick steps and then two slow ones," he told her with a smile as he looked down into her eyes.

She nodded and let him lead her. She looked down at their feet, trying to follow his, but getting totally distracted by how big they were. Maybe it was just the cowboy boots, but his feet seemed enormous next to hers.

"Don't worry – I won't hurt you."

She bit back a laugh as she looked up at him. He had to mean that he wasn't going to step on her feet. No way had his mind gone to the same place that hers had – if his feet were that big – then how big was...?

She wondered if he could somehow read her mind when he smiled at her and tightened his arm around her – crushing her against his broad, hard chest.

She swallowed. "I was concerned that maybe I'd hurt you – step on your toes."

His eyes twinkled as he laughed and something about that look made her relax. She let him lead her, gave him her weight as they moved around the floor – the music loud, the lights low, the glow of neon, and cowboy hats all around them. Even though this might be as far outside her comfort zone as she'd ever been, something inside her felt as though it settled.

She didn't know how many songs they danced to. She never wanted it to end. She felt as though she was being pulled back to a life she'd left behind when the music stopped and the crowd cheered – and the lights went up.

Ford's hand came up to cup her neck; his fingers slid around her nape, sending shivers down her spine. He lowered his head, and she lifted her lips to meet him. Just like this afternoon, he paused, his lips less than an inch from hers. She met his gaze, and he smiled and pushed up the brim of her hat as she leaned in to close the gap.

Chapter Ten

Ford was up early on Sunday morning. There was nothing new about that. He hadn't slept well, though, and usually he slept like a log – it went with the job. He worked hard and slept hard. His inability to sleep last night had nothing to do with having taken a day off. Well, if it did, it was a result of having spent the day with Amelia.

The way he felt about her had caught him off guard. It seemed to have evolved so quickly. He'd enjoyed their hike; enjoyed spending time with her and getting to know her. But even while they were having their picnic, he'd been wondering if he felt so comfortable with her because there were only friendship vibes between them.

Now he could see that the level of ease he felt around her was because they were so in sync. He hadn't known a woman like her before. She was self-contained, independent, and he found that appealing - attractive.

He smiled as he poured himself a fresh coffee. She might be independent, but that hadn't stopped her from softening in his arms when they danced. And that brought out something in him, something he wasn't used to. Leading her around the dance floor, holding her close the way he had – he'd felt like she was his.

He shook his head and stared out the window at the mountains. He didn't think he was possessive; he never had been before. But that was what she brought out in him. It was a new one on him, but there was no denying that he liked the feeling.

He was getting ahead of himself though. If he felt like this about her after just one date...

He'd surprised himself when he admitted to her that she could maybe break his heart – and admitting it to her was only a little more surprising than admitting it to himself.

He didn't know where this was going, but he hoped that she was going to stick around long enough that they might find out.

He smiled at the sight of his hat hanging on the hook by the door. He'd only taken it off her head when they got back last night and she'd kissed him again. The way that woman kissed him...