One Reckless Night (20 page)

“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

out of the water, then sat her on the edge of the Jacuzzi connected to the pool. Dane didn’t end the

kiss, instead he stepped closer to her, fitting himself between her thighs. She arched into him praying

she wouldn’t fall back, hit her head and drown.

He finally broke the kiss, giving both of them the chance to catch their breath. However

there was no reprieve. Dane trailed nibbling kisses down her jaw. He continued to move lower until

he reached the edge of her bikini top. Bayleigh gasped when he pushed the material aside before

capturing her nipple into his mouth. Dane sucked and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

Arching against him, she tried to press further into his mouth. She writhed against him helplessly as

he switched to her other breast.

“Dane, I need—”

Her words died off on a strangled sound when his hand slid between her thighs, touching

her damp curls. He played with her until she was drenched with need. Her hips bucked and she

pushed against his hand. Her muscles clamped down on his finger. It was his turn to moan with

pleasure. Her eyes fluttered shut when he introduced another finger.

“You are so wet,” he whispered.

“Just don’t stop.”

No matter how often his touched her, she wasn’t prepared for the feelings that accompanied

it. His strong fingers brought her closer to a climax. Her body begged for more. Dane circled the

hard bead, her hips rising to meet his touch.

“Will you come for me, Bayleigh?”

She answered his question with her body, rubbing against him, struggling to keep the sounds

wanting to crawl from her throat at bay. Pleasure swept through her and she stiffened, her fingers

digging into his arms as the explosion rocked her body. Bayleigh gasped making choking sounds

until the pleasure filled haze slowly dissipated. When she was able to focus again, she saw a broad

smile on his face.

“Let’s go inside, Bayleigh.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I just want to hear you when you’re experiencing pleasure.”

Her body hummed with electricity at his admission. She wanted the same thing. It had been

hard to hold her sounds back, yet the embarrassment of being busted by the neighbors was

motivation. The next time she wanted to be able to make as much noise as she wanted. Looking

down into his heated gaze, she nodded. “I agree.”

Dane smiled, lifting her into his arms before lowering her back into the water. The warm