She clung to him, trembling as she came down from the high, and he gathered her in his arms. “You’re going to get us both in trouble.”
“Me?” She turned her radiant smile up at him. “You’re the bad influence. I’ve never done anything like this. There are customers out there, and I’m here…”
“Getting off with your guy?”
Her cheeks flamed, and she buried her face in his chest as a strange scratching sound filtered into his ears. “What is that noise?”
She tilted her head, listening. Panic sprang to her eyes. “Oh no. It’s Reno.” She hurried around him and opened her door. Reno trotted in, and she closed the door, leaning her back against it, panting out, “I can’t believe I did that. I never leave him.”
Dash closed the distance between them. “I was right here with you. You weren’t alone.”
“I know, but…” She swallowed hard.
“It scares you to be without him?” Seeing the answer in her eyes, he drew her into his arms. “I’ll make sure we don’t leave him again. I promise.”
“I’ll make sure. I was so excited to see you, I wasn’t thinking.”
“Neither of us was.” He kissed her softly. “Some people would see that as a good thing, remarkable even.”
“It is. But forgetting Reno makes it a little scary.”
“I know you like to be in control. What can I do?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Be less you, so I don’t want you as much.”
He tightened his hold on her with a tender look in his eyes. “Not happening, sweetheart. But I will make a concerted effort not to drive you wild unless Reno is nearby and we’re someplace where you feel very safe. Deal?”
Relief rose in her eyes. “Deal.”
“That’s my girl. Did you clear the rest of your weekend for me like I asked you to?”
“Maybe,” she said coyly. “But don’t you have a walking date with your harem in the morning anyway?”
“Nobody comes before you. We’re not resuming our walks until Monday. I called your mom on the way over and asked her to spread the word. I know you have to get back to work, so just tell me you’ll go out with me to JJ’s tonight, and I’ll get out of your hair.”
“JJ’s? That place is a meat market on Saturday nights.”
“Only if you’re looking for it. Otherwise, I hear it’s the hottest dance club around.” He cocked a brow. “Are you looking for more meat? You haven’t even sampled mine yet.”
Her cheeks flamed. “What? No. I like your meat. I mean, your meat is enough. I mean—”
He put her out of her misery with a long, slow kiss. “I know what you mean. But I have news for you, baby. Anywhere you show your pretty face would turn it into a meat market. I saw the way guys were checking you out when we were at the jam session. And if it’s me you’re worried about, don’t think for a minute that anyone else will get their hands on my meat.”
“You’re…” She laughed softly, but amusement quickly gave way to a more serious expression. “Everyone will know about us, and they’ll talk.”
“I know you don’t like drama, but you’re my girl, and I don’t want to hide that from the people you care about. I know Sable is playing there tonight, and from what I’ve been told, your sisters and friends hang out there. But the people here have been kind to us, haven’t they? They’ve kept gossip to a minimum. It’s good for them to get used to seeing us together this week, so when I leave for my tour, you’re not stuck dealing with the worst of it alone.”
Her gaze softened. “I can’t believe you thought of that.”
“We’re in this together. What kind of guy would I be if I didn’t think ahead to save you from the gossipmongers? Besides, I feel like the luckiest guy around. Is there anything wrong with wanting those leering cowboys to know you’re mine?”
“No.” She wound her arms around his neck. “But you really suck at not making me want you.”
“I’ll take that as a win.” He lowered his lips to hers in a tender kiss. When their lips parted, she was looking at him longingly again. He squeezed her ass and raised his brows. “Keep looking at me like that, and we’re never leaving this office, much less going anywhere else tonight. Except maybe over there to christen your desk.”
AS AMBER HAD expected, JJ’s Pub was packed. Sable’s band played on the stage at the far end of the room, competing with cheers from around the mechanical bull in the next room and the din of overzealous cowboys and flirtatious country girls. Amber should be used to the vibe of lost inhibitions that practically seeped from the walls. Trixie’s brother Justus—JJ—owned the pub, and her friends and sisters had dragged her there enough times throughout the years. But there were some things she might never get used to, like being on the arm of the most handsome man in there. Everyone was looking at them, and Amber was seriously second-guessing the cream-colored minidress she’d worn in an effort to look special for Dash. It was cute, with a flouncy skirt and lantern sleeves, but the lace-up bodice gave it an ultra-sexy flair, unlike anything she was used to wearing.
She reached down to pet Reno, remembering too late that she hadn’t brought him. She didn’t need him at the crowded pub when she had Dash, although she was still shocked that she hadn’t noticed Reno’s absence earlier, in her office. Then again, her brain had short-circuited the minute Dash had kissed her. Phoenix had teased her about locking out her guardian and glowing after Dash had left. Amber hadn’t doubted it, because her body had hummed for the rest of the day, right up until the cold shower she’d taken to get ready for their date.
Dash put his arm around her. “Does it feel weird to be without Reno?”
She loved how he noticed every little thing. “A little.”
“You can pet me anytime.” He leaned in and kissed her neck.
Now, there was a mouthwatering thought.
As they wove through the crowd toward the bar, Dash had to move behind her to fit through the tight spaces. JJ was bartending. He looked over as they approached and whistled. “Damn, Amber, you’re lookin’ hot tonight. I missed our dance at the jam session.”
“Sorry. I left early.” She and JJ were the same age. They’d been friends forever, and they usually grabbed a dance or two at the jam sessions, but she’d been so rattled by Dash, she hadn’t even given it a thought when she’d left that night.
“Next time.” JJ winked. “The usual? Tiki spritz?”
“Yes, please.” As she turned to introduce Dash, he put his arm around her, offering his free hand to JJ.
“Dash Pennington, it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.” JJ shook his hand, eyeing Amber curiously. “I heard you were in town, but I hadn’t heard that you snagged a date with the hottest girl around.”
Amber rolled her eyes.
“We’ve been flying under the radar.” Dash pulled her in for a kiss, keeping her snug against his side, and flashed a cocky grin to JJ. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of us around town.”