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As he whirled and turned her this way and that, her thoughts, as they did every few minutes without fail, drifted to Rafe Maybe all that che after all What had all the sizzling heat coupled ild, out-of-control eotten her, anyway? Heartbreak Maybe an easy-to-be-with guy like Jack was the way to go

Way less risk

So deep inside her responded instinctively, But way less reward

And that was the rub Now that she’d tasted what it could be like when she felt connected to someone both physically and emotionally, she’d never settle for less, risk be da about Rafe, ain

Chapter Fifteen

Rafe eyed the scene before him, uncharacteristically frozen with indecision He couldn’t do what he wanted to do, which alk over, tell Cowboy Jiirl, throw her over his shoulder, and carry her out of this place Because that would be insane But the alternative--just standing by and watching while this guy pawed all over her--wasout how to handle it when Cat sidled up to hi you’re not here to do the Boot Scootin’ Boogie?"

He shook his head, never taking his eyes off Courtney God, she looked beautiful Hair up in a knot the way he loved it, orange caold, white cotton hs as she moved No wonder Cowboy Jim looked like he’d struck oil

"Cat, I don’t even knohat that is," he said griave his shoulder a squeeze "It’s a country line dance I think But either way, I’lad you’re here"

As much as he appreciated the support, he couldn’t help but wonder if she was going to be the only one Courtney didn’t look miserable now Maybe she already had one foot on the path tothat had happened and trust that he wouldn’t hurt her again was naive of hiirl Maybe this was a train wreck in the ive himself if he didn’t at least try

"Good luck," Cat called after hi it easy to cut through the crowd By the tie calave hiht smile for Cowboy Jim instead of the introduction to his fist that felt so much more natural

"Hey there, buddy Mind if I talk to the lady for a ht away He looked to Courtney, whose eyes ith shock

"I think that’s up to the lady, friend"

Seconds ticked by, and his heart picked up a beat for every one of the here?" she whispered

Jim released her and stepped back "I’ll be at the bar if you needcame to a close

Courtney nodded but didn’t take her eyes froh to obliterate even the tiniest bit of confidence he’d had in this plan Hadn’t he done enough daain, her botto

He stared at her and shook his head slowly Keep it simple "Isn’t it obvious, Courtney? I ca with her voice "You du but solance Now you decide to show upsoed, Rafe? Work let up soet another piece?"

He winced and drew back but didn’t try to defend hi it sio talk solared at hi to be one of those wo You want to talk, talk here, or call ular person You lost the right to pop up and expect my undivided attention when you walked away from us"

She stalked off the dance floor and past a sheepish Cat, through a door labeled Buckarettes

As he followed that same path, Cat called out to hiht?"

He sure as hell did, and he could not give one single shit He’d let Courtney go once out of sheer stupidity, and he wasn’t about to ain As the door sla how he’d ever thought she wasn’t strong enough to know her own h to decide for herself whether or not what she was feeling was h the door behind her, and she wheeled on hiht now?" Her hazel eyes blazed with fire as she stared up at him

"Give me five minutes of your time, and then I’ll leave you alone"

She surveyed the pink rooly and seemed ready to deny him, but then she locked eyes with hih

"Please I’ave him a curt nod "Three s he needed to say and led with the otten a handle on hi crazy about you, too"