One Reckless Night

  the bedroom. If she had her way she would probably keep him tied to the bed until neither of them

  could move. His body wouldn’t mind her tactic but his head would, not to mention his heart. He

  didn’t plan on going anywhere. However, Bayleigh seemed ready to bolt as soon as he turned his

  head.

  Neither of them could deny how compatible they were in bed. Still there could be more

  between them. Dane wanted to spend more time together outside of the bedroom. A smile tugged at

  the corners of his mouth when he thought back to their date in the middle of the week. It had been

  hard to keep his hands off her during dinner. Watching the movie was worse. Sitting in such close

  proximity to her without pulling her underneath him on the couch had tested his willpower. The

  disappointment on her face when he escorted her to the door when it was all over almost broke his

  restraint. Somehow he had remained strong and after a chaste kiss, he put Bayleigh into her car and

  watched her drive off. When he headed back inside, he went straight to the bathroom and took a

  cold shower.

  Tonight wouldn’t end the same way. He wasn’t strong enough. If they made it through the

  front door completely clothed, he would be surprised. Dane tightened his hand around Bayleigh’s

  allowing her to stroll around leisurely. It had shocked him when she told him she had never been to

  the Stockyards. The locale offered a lot to locals and visitors alike. Yet, how could someone be

  surrounded by something their entire life and never experience it?

  When it came to Bayleigh, he had a feeling a lot of things in life were like that for her. It

  seemed she just needed a little encouragement. Even now she enjoyed browsing through different

  stores, examining the merchandise, art, and other knickknacks. Dane watched her take in everything,

  liking the way her eyes sparkled with amusement as she did so.

  Falling in love amplified his awareness of her. Everything reminded him of her, made him

  want to share it with her. Where the feelings came from he would never know. But he wouldn’t

  overanalyze it, he would simply enjoy. Unfortunately his stomach chose that moment to rumble.

  Bayleigh looked at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement. She was trying on a necklace and

  clearly the sales attendant heard the sound too. He gave both of them a sheepish look. “Sorry. I had

  a small breakfast.”

  The attendant laughed. “I understand. My husband is the same way. If you go a few stores

  up, there’s a joint with the best barbeque you will ever have.”

  Dane smiled. “Nothing like good barbeque.”

  “The two of you enjoy yourselves.”

  “Thank you, we will,” Bayleigh said with a small smile. She sat the necklace down on the

  counter. Dane picked the necklace up, pulling his billfold out. “How much for the necklace?”

  Bayleigh’s eyes widened. “No, Dane.”

  He ignored her protest. The sales woman grinned before telling him as he handed his credit

  card over.

  “You shouldn’t have.”

  Dane pulled her into his embrace. “Since when is it a bad thing for a guy to buy his girl a

  gift?”

  A startled look fell over Bayleigh’s face. He released her hand to sign for the purchase and

  take his card back. When the attendant went to wrap the necklace he shook his head. “She’ll wear

  it.”

  “I will?” Bayleigh asked.

  Dane took the necklace, then made her turn around so he could put it around her neck. “Yes

  you will.”

  When she turned back to look at him, her eyes were wide. “Thank you.”

  He placed a kiss on her temple. “You’re welcome.”

  Turning his attention back to their sales woman he smiled. “Thank you.”

  The attendant winked at Bayleigh. “He’s a good one, honey. You might want to hold onto

  him.”

  “I think I will,” Bayleigh murmured.

  Dane almost tripped over his own feet but managed to keep himself upright. Squeezing her

  hand he looked down at her to find her looking back up at him. The expression on her face made

  him bite his tongue. Overwhelming temptation to tell her he loved her, swamped him. Loved how

  she made him want more. Still if he told her right now, the dreamy expression in her eyes would

  disappear. She would clam up, then he would have to work harder to get her to open back up to

  him. He would tell her later. When the time was right. They walked toward the recommended

  barbeque restaurant where the food didn’t disappoint.

  When Bayleigh licked the sauce off her fingers, he chuckled. Dane was tempted to assist

  her but kept himself in check. Instead he took joy in the lack of wariness in her eyes. Her guard was

  down and she was really enjoying herself. A few hours later he was tugging her toward a dance club.

  Bayleigh pulled against his grip. “Dane, wait. Where are we going?”

  “Dancing of course.”

  She gave him a dubious look. “At a country western bar”

  “Why not?”

  Lowering her voice, she stepped closer to him. “I have never danced to country music.”

  “There’s a first time for everything.”

  “Tell me about it,” she muttered.

  He chuckled. “Come on. It will be fun. All you have to do is follow my lead.”

  Dane turned to lead her toward the entrance. She relaxed, allowing him to pull her inside. He

  was surprised to see the crowd that had already gathered. The music transitioned from fast, to a slow

  tune, where the singer began to croon about a woman he loved. Bayleigh resisted as he pulled her

  toward the floor. Giving her a reassuring smile, he pulled her into his arms. “Just follow my lead. If

  you want to stop after this song we will.”

  Bayleigh looked indecisive for a few more moments before nodding. He grinned then pulled

  her into his arms leading her into an easy two-step. She picked it up quickly, like he knew she would.

  The feel of her in his arms with her body pressed snuggly against his was so right.

  Four songs later they were still moving around the floor with her head on his shoulder. The

  slow song ended segueing into a fast one. Bayleigh pulled back and he looked down at her. She

  shook her head. “This song is too fast.”

  He shook his head, reaching down to take her hand in his, then spun her out, and pulled her

  back in. She laughed breathlessly falling against.

  “Okay,” she shouted as he twirled her around the dance floor, laughing when they missed

  hands a few times. Regardless, they picked up right where they left off. When the song ended they

  were both breathing heavy. Dane pulled her toward the bar, getting a water for her and soda for

  himself. They finished their drinks and when the music slowed in tempo again, she pulled him

  toward the dance floor. He gave her a look of surprise. “You want to dance some more?”

  Bayleigh nodded and he allowed her to lead him to the floor. Dane drew her into his arms

  again, inhaling deeply. Even in the smoky atmosphere he could smell her light but spicy scent. He

  would give anything to know what she was thinking right now. The sound of the wheels turning in

  her head were almost as loud as the music. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to put Bayleigh

  at completely ease. Dane just had to figure out a way to do it.

  * * * *

  Bayleigh’s mind was in a complete state of mass confusion. She
couldn’t focus on anything

  other than the entire day she just spent with Dane. Shopping, eating, dancing. The contentment she

  felt the entire time. She was happy. Glancing at Dane out the corner of her eyes, she saw he was

  focused on the traffic. He had been silent since they left the dance club. Evidently lost in his

  thoughts like she had been lost in her own earlier. Bayleigh looked down at the hand that held hers

  loosely. What was it about this man? In some ways he made her want to say the hell with it and give

  him everything he wanted. The problem was, she didn’t know if she was ready for it. Her last

  relationship ended disastrously when she had.

  A short while later, Dane pulled into his driveway. He turned to reach into the backseat for

  her bag. It contained the change of clothes he instructed her to bring, along with a swimsuit. His

  request had her thinking they were going to the lake, then back to his place where she would spend

  the night. Bayleigh should have known something was up when he told her to bring the swimsuit

  but not to wear it. Yet she had been flabbergasted when he pulled up to the Stockyards. The bottom

  line was she had a good time. No. She had a great time. Another reason she preferred to keep their

  activities limited to the bedroom as much as she could. That way she stood a better chance of

  keeping her emotions in check. Dane assisted her from the car, and led her up the walkway to the

  house. When they were inside, he placed a quick kiss on her lips.

  “Go change into your swimsuit.”

  Bayleigh nodded, took her bag from him, then made her way to his bedroom. A short time

  later he joined her and she had to bite her lip when he undressed in front of her. At this point they

  might not make it to the pool. Dane chose that moment to look up and he smiled at her.

  “Are you ready?”

  She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, tucking the end underneath the elastic band, then

  nodded. “Yes I am.”

  “Good. Let me grab a few towels.”

  Dane disappeared into the bathroom before returning with a couple of large fluffy towels.

  He held his hand out to her and she followed him through the house to the back yard.

  Evidently he had been busy in the back yard. A bottle of wine sat near the edge of the pool.

  Between the low lights and the privacy fence, they had their own oasis. He sat the towels down.

  “Are you ready for a swim?”

  Bayleigh nodded. The Texas heat was stifling, even at night. Being in such close proximity

  to Dane didn’t help. “Is the water cool?”

  “On a night like this? Yes.”

  Dane reached for her hand, assisting her into the pool. A moan escaped her as the cool

  water lapped at her ankles. This was exactly what she needed to cool down her overheated body.

  When she was up to her waist she stopped, the sat on the step. He looked at her with

  concern when she shivered.

  “Is it too cold?”

  She nodded. “I think it might be.”

  “Let’s get into the Jacuzzi then. I won’t turn on the heat because we might combust.”

  Bayleigh laughed as she stood up. “We wouldn’t want that.”

  Dane helped her out of the pool and pulled her toward the Jacuzzi. She sighed in pleasure

  while she slid into the water. It was warmer, but still cool enough to be refreshing. Looking up at

  him, she smiled. “Much better. Thank you.”

  Dane nodded before going back to get their wine. When he brought it near she saw it had

  already been uncorked. He slid into the water beside her.

  “I didn’t think to ask if you were hungry.”

  She shook her head. “Between the barbeque and ice cream we had on the way back to the

  car, I couldn’t eat another bite.”

  “I hope you have room for a glass of wine.”

  “Not at all,” she replied, her tone light and teasing.

  Dane poured each of them a glass and held one out to her. When she took it, their fingers

  touched, causing a tingle to make it way up her arms and down her spine.

  “To the beautiful day we had together.” He toasted.

  Bayleigh touched her glass to his in acceptance. Today had stunned her in many ways, but

  she couldn’t deny that it had been a wonderful day. Scooting back slightly, she let her back touch the

  side of the whirlpool. A light breeze drifted over them, caressing the skin on her shoulders. Her gaze

  met his. The low lighting still allowed her the ability to read his inquisitive stare. He was going to

  drive her crazy before it was all over with. Dane wasn’t satisfied. She knew he would be until he

  knew everything there was to know. Which he did as a friend but she was making him work harder

  at getting the goods on a relationship level. Bayleigh tried not to have any regrets in life but she

  wasn’t always successful. Having remorse with Dane wasn’t an option. Still the heat between them

  was irrefutable, their attraction to each other binding.

  Dane was probably one of the most eligible men in the city and he was hers. He wanted to

  be, without protest. What was wrong with her to deny herself what most women wanted in a man?

  “Are you okay, Bayleigh?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “You made a weird sound.”

  Her eyes widened. “I did?”

  He nodded. “Are you feeling alright? I know we were in the sun most of the day and it can

  be draining.”

  The genuine concern on his face touched her. Bayleigh took another sip of wine before

  placing it on the edge. “I’m fine Dane.” She said as she scooted closer to him. He wanted to know if

  she was feeling okay and she planned to show him she was. He inhaled deeply, putting his glass on

  the edge as well. She touched his shoulders with her fingertips and felt him tremble. His hands

  extended toward her, pulling her closer. When his lips came down on hers, her fingers tightened in

  anticipation. If nothing else, the man could kiss. His mouth always kept her wondering what else

  was to follow.

  His hands gripped her waist lifting her slightly until she straddled him. Her hips instinctively

  rocked against his drawing forth the sound of a low moan deep from within his throat. He deepened

  the kiss and for several heartbeats they were only aware of each other. Nothing else. Several heated

  kisses later, he pulled back, both of them struggling to breath.

  “Do you have any idea what you do to me, Bayleigh?” he asked in a low tone, caressing her

  back, his thumb pressing into the base of her spine making her arch against him. Shuddering, she

  tried to find the words to respond.

  “I’m pretty sure it’s the same thing you do to me.” Bayleigh whispered before lowering her

  mouth to his.

  He took over the kiss, his tongue stroked, lingered, and caressed in a way that left her with

  no other choice than to melt against him. His hands slid lower gliding over the round curve of her

  bottom. Bayleigh pressed closer to him in response. He bucked against her before pulling back. She

  was sure the wild look in his eyes matched the one in hers. Her eyes dropped down to his perfectly

  muscled chest. The urge to lick from his chest to his washboard stomach was hard to resist. Rather

  than face the possibility of drowning, she lowered her hand from his shoulders down to his chest.

  Dane inhaled sharply when Bayleigh flicked his nipples with her thumbs. Before now, she

  had never given a man�
�s nipples much attention. But Dane was so responsive when she touched his

  it was hard to abstain. Leaning forward she gave each of his nipples a light lick, earning a strangled

  groan from him.

  “Bayleigh,” he gasped.

  She lifted her head, presenting him with a wicked grin. He growled in response, his gaze

  dropping to her own breasts. Her nipples hardened in anticipation. When he leaned forward, she

  pulled back slightly. “Shouldn’t we go inside?”

  His heavy lidded gaze drifted back up to hers. “I think we’re fine right where we are.”

  Bayleigh trembled at the intensity in his words. “What about your neighbors?”

  “It’s late, Bayleigh. Besides, I have a privacy fence and trees. No one can see us. No one

  will know we’re back here as long as we are quiet.”

  There was the problem. When Dane touched her there was no way she could remain quiet.

  Still, she wasn’t ready to go in and she definitely didn’t want him to stop touching her.

  “Okay,” she whispered before lowering her lips to his. She gasped when he stood, lifting her