Redeemed Cowboy (Whiskey Valley Bryant Brothers)

She looks at me nervously, biting her lip. I reach up and run my thumb across her lower lip soothingly. “We’re going to be okay.”

I lean in and kiss her forehead, and she exhales as her body softens against mine. Being this close to Mia is tempting, and I would love to go home and be alone with her, but I know I need to redeem myself with her. I’ve been an ass, but I plan on fixing that and making it right.

I put a little distance between us and hold my arm out for her. “Let’s go, honey.”

She puts her arm through mine and holds on to me, and there’s a powerful surge that goes through me. It’s like I want to protect her at all costs. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

Chapter 12

Mia

Ryan wasn’t kidding. He said we were going to have a good time, and we are. I know he should probably be talking business with some of the other ranchers, but he’s been stuck to my side like glue. It’s like all of his focus has been on me, and I can’t help but bask in it.

We just walked off the dance floor, and I’m fanning myself when Rachel walks up to us. I try to stand off to the side, but Ryan rests his hand on my hip, holding me to him. I can’t help but look up at him, confused and a little surprised.

A slow song comes on, and my heart plummets into my stomach. I know what’s about to happen before Rachel even gets the words out.

Rachel smiles at me, and I’m sure I cringe more than smile back at her. She doesn’t seem to notice, though, because she looks right at Ryan. “Ryan, would you like to dance?”

She’s looking up at him with so much hope, I have to look away. I can’t... I just can’t.

“No, thank you. Mia and I were going to head back out there.”

He doesn’t ask me; he just pulls me out to the dance floor, turns, and pulls me into his arms. My hands are around his neck, and his are around my waist, and he pulls me in tighter against his body. I look at Rachel's retreating figure, and then back at him. "You could have danced with her," I tell Ryan. He shakes his head. "Why would I want to dance with her when I have the most beautiful woman in my arms right now?"

I shake my head and lean my cheek against his chest. If he keeps saying things like this, there's no way I'm going to be able to get over him. Without looking at him, I continue the conversation. "All I'm saying is, I know you all had something," but before I could finish, he reaches up and pulls my chin up to where I'm looking at him.

"We kissed, that was it."

"Eli—" I start.

But Ryan doesn’t let me finish. "That's all Eli saw. We only kissed. I'm no saint, Mia. I never said I was. I know that I've been dumb, but I think I'm finally starting to smarten up."

I don't question him. I lean my cheek back against his chest, and we slowly sway back and forth. We're fitted together, and I can't help but think of how good it is to be in his arms. When the music stops, I pull back and look at him with heated cheeks. He's staring back at me, and before he can say anything, I pat him on the chest. "The commissioner is right over there. Don't forget that King wanted you to talk to him tonight while you were here."

He nods his head and walks off the dance floor with his hand in mine. We stop next to the food table, and he gets us both something to drink. "Do you want to go with me?" he asks.

I shake my head, knowing that I need a breather. Being this close to Ryan is like a dream come true, but I know I need to get my head out of the clouds. "No, I think I'll wait right here, if that's okay."

He looks around at the people standing around us, and then back at me. "I'll be right back, okay?"

I smile at him. "Take your time. I'm fine, really."

I watch him go, and then startle when I heard Brent's voice next to me. "Looks like you're having fun," he says.

I laugh and pull him in for a side hug. "I am having fun. How about you?"

We stand and talk for a few minutes, and he talks about how he's in town for the rodeo that starts tomorrow. He looks over my head, and then back down at me. "Dance with me." The song is a fast one, but even so, I wonder if I should or not, but I meant it when I said that Brent and I are friends. I follow him onto the dance floor, and we dance and have fun, laughing and having a good time. He's trying to make me laugh with his dance moves, but when he whips out the dance called the washboard, I can't help but hold my sides as I laugh hard at him.

Before I know it, the slow music starts again, and he pulls me in to his arms. I start to pull away, but he whispers huskily into my ear, "Stay."

I know this is a bad idea; I feel it to my bones how bad of an idea it is. I’m about to walk away when he whispers, "I like you, Mia, as a friend. I promise I'm helping you out here."

I look up at him in confusion, and he tilts his head to the side. "You still want Ryan, right?" There's no reason I should deny it. Anyone can see me with him and know how I feel, obviously. So I don't even try to lie about it. "Yes," I say simply.

He brushes the back of his hand across my cheek, and for just a minute, I'm afraid that he's going to kiss me, but he just smiles softly. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kiss you. Don't look now, but Ryan is heading this way, and I’m pretty sure he looks a little jealous."

Before I can open my mouth to say anything, Ryan appears beside us, and I can't even say he looks jealous. He looks pissed is more like it.