Claiming the Enemy: Dustin (Porter Brothers Trilogy 3)

It was a magical night that she didn’t want to ever end. Everyone was standing around, talking or watching the dancing. The Porters had strung up fairy lights from their new barn to their house, where everyone was standing. Porch light illuminated the rest of the front yard, and even the back had been lit, so that the occupants could see anyone approaching.

When the song ended, BoDean took his turn dancing with her to “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places.” Seeing that Logan wanted to dance again, she caught his hand, dancing with the two boys. Jessie couldn’t remember a night when she’d had so much fun.

As she danced, she saw Dustin sitting on the end of the porch, watching her. Every now and then, she would send him a happy smile, seeing a mysterious look cross his face when she did. He was wearing an old cowboy hat that kept his features shadowed. She could feel him watching her despite his inscrutable expression as he would intermittently talk to Tate, who was sitting next to him on the porch.

Tate’s expression was easy to read. His arm was around Sutton, who was sitting on his other side. The married couple didn’t try to hide how much they loved each other and were looking forward to their child. They had been asked all night if they were having a boy or a girl. Their decision to do it the old-fashioned way and not find out the sex of their child was driving everyone nuts.

The song switched, and Jessie danced another one with the boys before Dustin interrupted, telling the boys that Holly was getting jealous and was waiting for her turn.

Jessie cracked up when Virgil started singing “Funny Face.”

“Virgil needs to stick to his security job at the jewelry store and quit volunteering to play at the VFW and parties.”

Her body molded against his when he pulled her close to sway together as Virgil sang the sad song.

“Why? I love this song. It’s cute. Maybe you would appreciate it more if your face hadn’t been beaten to hell and back.”

“He wouldn’t be singing it if it hadn’t been.”

“You lost your mind to say that in front of my brothers.” Jessie arched her neck back so she could stare up at him. “Why’d you do it?”

“You know why. I didn’t like the way you were staring at Rider. The next time you stare at him like that, I’ll save myself an ass-whooping and lock you in your bedroom.”

“You never cared when I looked at another man before.”

“I cared. I just didn’t show it.”

Dreamily, she laid her head on his shoulder. “Why’d you show it today?”

He moved his hand underneath her long hair, tilting her head back. “I’m done hiding how I feel about you.”

“How do you feel?”

Before he could answer, the song ended.

“Play “I Never Promised You A Rose Garden,”” Greer shouted from the porch, jumping down when Holly swatted at him.

Jessie couldn’t help laughing at Greer’s antics.

“Do they act like that all the time?”

“Pretty much.”

“Holly really loves him, doesn’t she?”

“You have to love Greer to put up with him.”

“You didn’t think about moving out when they got married?”

“I thought about it, even started moving the dirt in the backyard to lay a foundation to build a small house, but I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

“I got busy with work, and Holly doesn’t like to be separated from Logan. Figured I would get around to it when they had another kid. By then, Logan will be older.”

When Virgil started playing a livelier song, Dustin took her hand and twirled her in a practiced move that had her gasping. He was a much better dancer than she expected.

Looking away, her eyes met Rachel’s as she danced with Cash.

“Where’s Ema?” she asked when Dustin spun her around again to face him.

“She’s at home with Mag. Rachel thought it would be too cool out for them at night. Jo and Rider are keeping an eye on them until Rachel and Cash get home.” Dustin regarded her closely after mentioning Rider’s name.

Jessie wasn’t ashamed to admit she got a little thrill over him being jealous. A man had never been jealous over her. It was a heady feeling she had never expected to feel.

After three songs, she was ready to take a break, but Dustin talked her into another two before she finally told him that she needed to get a drink.

Expecting him to follow her, she walked to the ice chest and had turned around to ask what he wanted to drink when she saw him dancing with Holly. Her heady emotions took a nose dive as she watched the two dancing.

Greer was at the buffet table, not paying any attention. It was only her who was having trouble watching the easy familiarity between them. If Holt and Asher hadn’t left an hour ago, she would have left rather than watch them.