It was growing late when he finally found the balls to cut in.
Surprise rolled through Dakota’s expression when she found him standing there, and she warily let him pull her into his arms as the guy she’d been dancing with disappeared into the fray.
“What are you doing, Ryder?” She said it like she couldn’t believe he was standing there. Like maybe she’d felt him physically trying to push her away.
But when it came to Dakota, he found those walls didn’t stand.
“Thought it was time I danced with the birthday girl since every guy in the place has gotten the chance to.” He fought for a smirk as he began to sway them, the beat of the song slowed.
“Isn’t your girlfriend going to mind if you’re dancing with me?”
His chest pinched. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
Dakota’s brows lifted as she looked up at him, no hesitation when she asked, “Are you telling me you’ve never had sex with her?”
“Didn’t say that.”
“Ah, so you are the player Cody tells me you are.” He couldn’t tell if she meant it as a tease or if it was an accusation, not with the way those cinnamon eyes glinted beneath the strobing light.
He fought to keep it easy. Playful. Refusing the thing he could feel brewing between them. “I see how it is. My best friend is spreading rumors about me.”
“Is that what they are? Rumors?”
He couldn’t do anything but tug her to him, and he breathed out the words too close to her ear. “I wish they weren’t.”
Giggles floated on the night air as they went stumbling out at closing.
Ryder had his arm looped around Dakota’s waist, supporting her, and the other was around Paisley’s as he guided them to his truck parked in the lot.
The two of them had done it up, tossing back three rounds of shots during the last hour they’d been there. Their laughter had started to come easier just as their words had started to slur.
Chloe, Beth, and Ezra had bailed two hours before, and Cody had ended up slinking off with some girl he’d met from the next town over.
Turned out when it came to Cody, this hadn’t just been about Dakota after all.
But Ryder didn’t mind watching out for her.
It felt like something intrinsic. Something he’d been purposed to do.
Clicking the locks to his truck, he opened the door. “In you go, drunkie-drunks,” he razzed, his voice soft.
Dakota climbed in first, flashing him a glimpse of her perfect ass as she did, then Paisley hopped in behind her. Dakota’s best friend reached out and patted him on the cheek. “You are the best, Ryder. You really know how to take care of a woman. And look at the size of those hands.”
Dakota giggled like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.
Ryder all but rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t puke in my truck.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Captain.” Paisley gave him a sloppy salute.
He was chuckling as he shut their door and rounded the front, then he was losing his breath all over again when he slipped into the driver’s side.
The scent of Dakota smacked him in the face.
Sugar and vanilla and all things sweet.
Her body was pressed against his as he put the truck in drive and pulled out of the lot.
Neither Paisley nor Dakota stopped laughing the entire ride.
He dropped off Paisley at her grandparents’ house where she’d grown up. He walked her to the door, and she fumbled inside, insisting that she didn’t need help and that he should go take care of her, “Doodle-Boo,” and to make sure that he did it well.
He jogged back to the truck and jumped back in.
Dakota had moved to sit on the main seat, like she’d become aware that they needed to keep the distance between them, too.
A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of her mother’s house.
A swarm of memories rushed him. He thought they were likely some of the best of his life.
He shut off his truck and led her to the front door.
Dakota turned and stared up at him.
The air between them hummed.
An energy he fought to recognize.
“Welcome home, Dakota. I’m glad you’re back,” he said rather than admitting the thousand things that were on his mind.
“I’m glad I am, too,” she whispered.
He hesitated then dragged his fingers through his hair. “You need help inside?”
She giggled again. “I think I’m capable of making it inside on my own. It’s not like I didn’t stumble my way back to my apartment by myself for the last four years.”