Page 82 of Tame Our Wild

People have seen us bicker and be unfriendly before, but this would be on an entirely different level. Maybe I could make them think we are starting to be civil.

When I glance back at Matt, his brow is arched. He lowers his voice. “Find out that you are coaching her or that you are dating?”

I swallow. “We aren’t dating.”

“No? Because it seems like it. You’ve been smiling so much lately that I’m almost concerned.”

“Fuck off.”

He grins at that.

Matt and I turn our eyes back to the dance floor, my focus settling on Brian’s hand as he places it gently on the small of her back while they sway side to side with the beat.

I absentmindedly move to stand, and Matt claps me on the back. “I don’t know why you’re asking me what you should do when you made up your mind before I walked up.”

Brian’s hand starts to drift lower to hover above her ass. I release a growl, my annoyance carrying my feet across the bar as I march to the dance floor. Harlow sees me coming before Brian does, and I soak in the flicker of excitement in her eyes.

Harlow was challenging me.

She should know by now that I never walk away from one. It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-ton beast or a five-foot-three blonde bull rider with a sassy personality and hot mouth that mine craves to silence.

I place a hand on Brian’s shoulder, feeling the way his muscles tense under my palm. He looks over his shoulder, his brows pulling together in confusion when he sees me.

“Mind if I step in?” I say it to him, but keep my eyes locked on Harlow’s.

He looks at Harlow first as if for permission, and she nods. “It’s fine, Brian. Thanks for the dance.”

Brian flattens his lips like he’s battling the urge to tell me no, but there’s also a hint of a smile there. He knows the rocky history between Harlow and me, and I’m not surprised he’s protecting her, given that they are friends now. At least I hope that’s the only reason he is doing it. I grit my teeth, squashing the extra dose of possessiveness that creeps up my spine.

He points to the bar. “I’m going to go get another drink.”

Smart man.

The moment he turns, I waste no time putting my hand up. Harlow looks down at it curiously and suppresses a smile before glancing nervously around the bar.

I don’t need to observe our surroundings. I feel our competitors’ gazes searing holes into my skin. I’d happily burn under their gazes if it means I can dance with her.

“We’re in public.” The tremble in her voice has my lips tugging upward.

I grip her hand, tugging her into me. “Are we?” She gasps when my other hand drifts across her rib cage slowly to the small of her back, bringing her body flush with mine. “Don’t go shy on me now, dust bunny. I’m just accepting your challenge and leveling it up with my own.”

She huffs out a laugh, hitting me with those big baby blues that make my chest ache. “I wasn’t challenging you.”

“Are you lying?” I drop my head closer to hers, whispering in her ear as we sway. “Because if you are and tell me you want that soft, smiling cowboy, I’ll take you back to my room and remind you exactly how much you love it when I get rough.”

She chokes on her breath, holding my eyes as I spin her around and glide my hand to rest above her ass, not caring who sees us at this point because all I see is her.

Fuck the opinions. To hell with the backlash this might create when people find out what’s really been going on between us over the last several months.

She rolls her lips, trying to hide her smile. “I don’t remember that.”

“No?”

She shakes her head, amused. “I might need the reminder.”

I fight to hold back the groan that wants to escape. “Yeah?” My anticipation is palpable.

She nods playfully, this time drifting a finger down my abdomen to the waistband of my jeans, teasing the hem. “Are you just going to stand there and eye-fuck me or make good on your promise?”