It didn’t matter. Because she knew that over the course of the last few minutes, both of them lost in the events of that first night, something had irrevocably changed between them.
Something that had her breathing coming shorter and shallower. Wanting more than the touch of his hand resting on hers.
The first jarring beats of a mariachi band pulled her from her thoughts and all eyes turned to the troupe who had arrived at their table.
Cruz hadn’t taken his hand off hers. He leaned over, his breath a whisper at her ear. “Wouldn’t want to look like anything less than a happy couple. How’m I doing?”
She swallowed and bobbed her head, not daring to look into those eyes in case he could read her mind.
“Just fine.”
Cruz sucked in the night air as they left the restaurant and walked out onto the sidewalk, Payton at his side as they joined the other revelers. Their troupe of dancer friends had left them at the door so they could check in for the night’s festivities, and now it was just the two of them.
He took in a deep breath, the cool air feeling fresh and sharp in his lungs. He needed to clear his head, having consumed four shots of tequila already. More than his limit, but at the time, the flavor and taste a welcome diversion from the feeling of having Payton nestled under his arm while they kept up the pretense of engaged lovers.
Payton was silent next to him, her steps a little less certain, and he slowed his pace to hers. They needed to keep better track of their alcohol intake if they were going to keep their heads.
He thought about what Payton had said earlier, while recounting their first meeting. He’d been certain that she’d never given him a second thought that night, not with the way she’d rushed out of the shop so fast, before he could even catch her name.
But it hadn’t stopped him from thinking about her. He’d meant what he said about wanting to find her that night. He’d already had a great line in mind to use to finagle her details from the cashier.
All this time, he’d concluded he’d imagined their connection. But he’d been wrong. There had been a moment there, a moment when they both had the opportunity for a different start. A different relationship. Until he’d opened his big mouth and not just insulted her but sealed the terms of a different type of relationship. One full of mistrust and contention.
What would have happened if it had gone differently?
They’d never know, but he did know one thing. He owed her an apology.
“Payton, about that night. What I said at the party? I didn’t know you and my comment was completely out of line. Maybe it was some lingering resentment I still had for Brad—I don’t know. But I am sorry.”
She looked up at him, her eyes wide and shining, not holding any indication of resentment. “I accept. And I’m sorry for clobbering you with that vase.”
He laughed. “I earned that.”
“Glad to see we agree on something.” The sound of music from up ahead began to play, and Payton hurried her steps. He reached out, grabbing her hand so as not to lose her in the burgeoning crowd. It felt nice. It seemed to fit perfectly. She glanced back at him, a knowing glint in her eye, but didn’t slow down, instead cutting through the crowds.
They reached the stage set up near the gazebo, already teeming with people, some dancing to the music that filled the warm night air. Payton seemed entranced by everything around her, smiling and laughing, throwing her head back. Her enjoyment was infectious, and he couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off his own face. It had to be the tequila.
At one point, Payton paused and stared up at the night sky. He followed her gaze. “I was just trying to see the stars.”
He noticed the way the light reflected off her hair, shining, and he wanted to touch it. He found his voice instead. “Going to have to get farther away from the lights to see them.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It just seemed like everything else was so magical, that I might catch a few.”
The shuffling of dozens of boots on the stage brought their attention up where Lenny and Bev and the rest were walking across the stage. They hesitated only a moment as the new song came on, before bursting with surprising energy, swinging and clomping around the stage. The crowd was energized as well as they clapped to the beat. Payton looked so young, so free as she clapped along with them, joy and wonder glowing on her face.
She should always look so free. So happy.
A woman in bright costume was working her way through the crowds with a tray filled with small cups that people were taking. The local refinery throwing this shindig certainly knew how to celebrate the introduction of a new line.
Payton was already stretching her hand out for one and he beat her to it, grabbing one for each of them.
It couldn’t hurt to have one more. Wouldn’t want to waste a perfectly decent shot of tequila.
Gone was Payton’s initial reluctance to taste the strong liquid as she first sipped and then threw the rest back. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes danced with laughter, her dimples deep and charming. Damn. He was going to need all the self-control he could muster to not kiss her at some point tonight.
She looked at him, waiting for him to throw his back.
“Maybe I shouldn’t—”
“Are you saying that a big, strapping man like you can’t hold his liquor?” She batted those eyelashes, teasing him. “Come on, Cruz. You only live once. Try it.”
She was incorrigible, but he had to admit, he was having fun. And the scent of the liquor in his cup was enticing. Before he could talk himself out of it, he threw it back, enjoying the flavor, and placed the cup on a passing tray. She grinned in victory.
Damn. She really was a temptress. A sweet, dimpled, funny temptress.
It has to be the alcohol. This moment of temporary insanity.
Of feeling like she belonged with him.
Their friends finished their dance and another group moved to the stage. Women in vibrant skirts with matching tops twirled around, the color almost became a blur. And then a cowboy followed, showing everyone his dexterity while hopping through a lasso.
Payton remained mesmerized by it all, occasionally looking up at him and smiling before returning to the activities. Her hand somehow found itself back in his and a wave of possessiveness hit him as he clasped it.
When the performances were over, the lights around them suddenly burst on, lighting the town-square with white twinkle lights. The musicians up in the gazebo played a faster tempo, and the crowd cheered as everyone spread out and started to dance.
Another tray with more tequila appeared and Payton grabbed two shots, holding one out to him. “To Kate and Dominic.”
Well, he couldn’t very well say no to that. And the next one slipped down.
Caught up in the celebration, he didn’t care anymore about tomorrow, about what was the right thing. He was with the one woman who’d been haunting him since he first met her. A woman who was as complicated as she was beautiful. Who made him laugh. Made him feel things he hadn’t felt before.
Her hand still in his, he brought her around to face him as his other hand slipped around her waist and he pulled her against him. She was so soft and smelled so sweet and enticing.
She sucked her breath in, surprised by his actions almost as much as him. Her mouth parted and he didn’t hesitate.
He brought his lips down to hers, initially just to graze them, to feel their silky touch. But she didn’t hold back, and leaned in, her mouth moving against his. Demanding more, so hot and sweet. In that moment, he forgot they were surrounded by people, laughing and dancing around them. He could shut all that out, believing that they were the only people in the world.
She melded her body against his like a second skin and a different need grew, one that wanted to see this woman naked under him, welcoming him just as fully and completely.