Tucker turned to Ginny. “Want a drink?”
“A little later. First, let’s dance,” Ginny ordered. And it was an order, because she caught him by the hand, winked at Rose, then hauled him onto the dance floor.
Tucker’s confident arms wrapped around her. He whirled her in a rapid two-step full into the thick of things, his lips curled in the smallest of smirks. “I take it we’re going for full on blow their minds rather than easing into it.”
Ginny grinned, trusting he’d keep them from barreling into anyone on the crowded dance floor. “My mom always said when you’re going to do a thing, do it up right.”
“Seems I’ve heard that sentiment a time or two from my uncle,” Tucker offered.
They danced. For the first couple of moments, Ginny was curious what kind of reaction they might be causing. But the truth was, the longer they danced and the longer she was in his arms, moving to the upbeat music; the longer Tucker looked down at her in that intensely focused manner that sent all her nerves tingling; the longer it all went on, the less Ginny cared to see anyone else’s reaction.
This was where she wanted to be. Period.
“Your brother just spotted us,” Tucker informed her quietly.
Ginny didn’t care. Or maybe she did, because she stroked her fingers along the back of his neck a little more intently. “If the next song’s a ballad, I dare you to kiss me.”
Another near smile. “You’re an evil woman, Ginny.”
“Yeah, but you like me anyway.”
An outright laugh escaped him, and he gave her an extra hard twirl, dipping her back over his arm and smiling down with his eyes set to Smolder, Level-Ten. “Challenge accepted.”
Definitely not the move she’d expected. She teased, he responded, but in this case, he flipped all her expectations out the window.
Tucker pulled her upright, firmly against his body. With the hand pressed to her lower back, he sealed their torsos together. The other hand he brought to the back of her neck, fingers tangled in her hair to tilt her face up so he could lean in and kiss her. A slow, hot, demanding kiss that made it clear this was the type of evening that ended in the bedroom.
Somewhere between their lips making contact and his tongue dipping between her lips…
Somewhere between him accepting her teasing challenge and taking absolute control…
Somewhere between the start and the finish of all that, Ginny’s brain simply fizzled out. When he finally pulled her upright, and the two of them stood in the middle of the dance floor while amused patrons danced around them, it happened.
Ginny Stone fell in love.
17
Once again, Tucker had gotten a prime example of how being involved with Ginny never went to plan.
The next song was thankfully slower. Tucker kept Ginny in his arms, swaying together. It gave everyone plenty of time to gawk and talk, ripples spreading visibly around the room.
He wasn’t terribly surprised when Luke and Kelli were suddenly dancing beside them, his friend’s expression absolutely hysterical.
Unexpected was Luke stealing Ginny out of his arms while Kelli stepped in to replace her.
Tucker watched Ginny dance away with reluctance. “Well, drat. That’s a conversation I was supposed to have,” he complained, turning his attention on Kelli. “Hi. Having a good evening?”
“I don’t know if I should give you an award or hogtie you right now,” Kelli said sweetly.
“Let’s go with the award.”
She laughed. “I thought Luke was about to lay an egg.”
“So that’s what his expression meant.”
Kelli snickered again. “You’re terrible. Also, I think you and Ginny will make a great team, so please put up with whatever nonsense happens over the next few days until this all settles, yes?”
Interesting observation. “Ginny and I will do just fine,” he assured her. “I’m in it for the long haul. Or at least, that’s what we’re aiming for, a fact Ginny knows.”
Kelli nodded. “Luke’s not upset that you guys obviously…”
Her lips twitched as she seemed to struggle for the right word.
“Like each other?” Tucker suggested.
“Have carnal knowledge of each other seems more appropriate,” Kelli suggested.
Well. “It was a better kiss than I expected.”
Kelli fanned her fingers in front of her face. “Hell-o. Every one of Ginny’s cohorts plans to interrogate her as soon as possible. Just in case your ears are burning later tonight.”
It was impossible to keep in his smile. “I really do like her,” he said more seriously. “I’m glad she’s got all of you in her life again. She needs you, Kelli. She needs you and all her girlfriends more than she’ll probably ever admit.”
Kelli nodded slowly. “Yeah, she does. But you can’t help somebody who doesn’t ask. Know what I mean?”
Boy, did he ever. “We’ll have to figure out how to be the best secret Team Ginny supporters.”
Kelli patted him on the shoulder and tilted her head toward the side of the room where their things were. “Come on. Time to face the firing squad.”
Tucker braced, uncertain exactly what would happen next. But Luke simply gave him a brief chin nod then took Kelli back out onto the dance floor.
Then, because Ginny insisted, Tucker danced with Tansy who was downright gleeful about the kiss. Then he took Rose for a spin before handing her over to Alex.
It was a normal, ordinary evening out dancing with good friends. The only change was that he had a pretty woman he wanted to call his by his side most of the time.
A number of the ranch hands were there. Ginny accepted their invitations to dance, coming back each time to Tucker with amused updates.
“Some of them are buttering me up in order to get on your good side,” she said with a grin, stealing a long drink from his beer. “You okay with this?” she asked, leaning in close so she didn’t have to yell over the music.
“Being here with you, or you dancing with other guys?”
“Both.”
He shrugged. “You like to dance. As long as they’re respectful, I’ll put up with it tonight.” She blinked in surprise. “They’ve got questions. Some of them are probably double-checking you’re okay with what’s going on. They’ll be happier hearing it come from you.”
She curled her arms around his biceps and squeezed for a moment. “You’re smart. And you’re right.”
“I’m smart, yet I also fucked up royally.” Tucker saw Alex making his way over and gestured to the man. “Dance with him. I need to talk to your brother.”
Ginny frowned. “I told Luke—”
“This isn’t about us,” Tucker assured her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and turned her toward Alex. “Go. Dance.”
Alex raised a brow. “That’s incredible timing.”
“Don’t be a jackass,” Tucker told him.
Ginny snickered. “Come on, Alex. I have questions for you.”
Now Alex was the one who looked worried. “Tucker, what are you getting me into?”
“Not me. This is all her,” Tucker drawled. He watched them dance away and slid farther to the right to where Luke and Kelli had taken possession of a low table. He hauled a chair next to his friend and sat down close.