Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas 3)

“Hey, Lauren.”

Turning, I smiled at the bitch. I mean, the blonde. “Hi. I’m Lauren. You are?”

Flashing me a fake smile, she said, “Tina.”

I nodded my head. “Nice to meet you, Tina.” Tilting my head slightly, I looked back at Colt. “You promised we would dance.”

Colt’s mouth fell open as he gave me a dazed look. He, of course, hadn’t promised this. He hadn’t even talked to me since last night when we got into another argument over something stupid. I didn’t even remember what the fight was about, to be honest.

Quickly coming to his senses, Colt placed his hand on my arm. I prayed like hell he hadn’t felt my whole body shudder under his touch. “Right. I wouldn’t want to go back on a promise.”

We started to walk off when the blonde reached for Colt’s arm. “Wait! Is Lauren your girlfriend or are you . . . free later?” Moving her eyes over his body while biting her lower lip, Tina gave Colt a naughty as hell smile.

What. A. Bitch.

Pulling his head back, Colt gave her an incredulous look. Good. I’m glad to see he was as shocked by her advance as I was. “Yes. Yes, she is, Tina. See you around.”

Colt’s hand slid down my arm as he took my hand in his. My heart jumped, and my stomach felt like I had just gone through about ten loops on a roller coaster. Leading me out to the dance floor, I turned and gave Tina a dirty look. “Oh my glitter! How rude. I mean . . . holy sheets! She practically asked you to screw her later. In front of me.”

Colt’s laugh was a low rumble as he spun me around and pulled me into his arms. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Tina as we danced.

Placing his lips to my ear, Colt spoke. “Thank you.”

Looking into Colt’s eyes, my breathing increased. It was then I realized where I was. In Colt’s arms. Up against his body. Really, really up against his body. How many times had I dreamed of Colt holding me in his arms again?

Too many times. Asshole. Ugh. I hate that he makes my body feel like this.

“Thank you for what?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“Saving me from what was probably the worst conversation of my life.”

Stifling my giggle, I couldn’t help but glance at Colt’s lips. He noticed because the bastard licked them.

Oh God. Oh God. Calm yourself, Lauren. Quickly looking away, I tried to focus on something else. Anything else.

“You look beautiful, Lauren.”

Shit. Deep breaths, Lauren. Stay strong.

“Thanks. You look pretty handsome yourself,” I said as I continued to scan the dance floor.

“How would you know? You’ve barely looked my way all morning.”

My head snapped to him. “Are you kidding? I’ve been staring at you for the last . . .”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Way to play it cool, Lauren. Hello, world. The Lauren who throws herself at Colt has finally shown up, and she’s looking to get her heart stomped on again by him.

Closing my eyes, I dropped my head to Colt’s chest. I wanted to crawl under a rock.

“Hey, Lauren. Please look at me.”

Colt’s voice was a whisper. A hot sounding whisper. A whisper that I imagined would sound pretty damn amazing in my ear as he made love to me.

Ugh! Stop this, Lauren.

I pulled my head back but didn’t look up. Placing his finger under my chin, Colt lifted my eyes to him. “Lauren . . .”

His eyes fell to my lips as I instinctively licked them. Finally finding my voice, I whispered back, “Colt.”