A Cowboy's Claim. Marin Thomas

were regular dance partners—make that lovers.

      He placed his hand against her lower back and she pressed her palm to his chest. The floor was too crowded to move more than a few inches in any direction, so they stood in place, their hips swaying...bumping and oh man. Tanya’s warm body and soft curves put his willpower to the test. If he closed his eyes he could imagine they were alone in a dark room instead of standing in a crowd of sweaty bodies.

      “It’s been forever since I’ve danced.” Tanya’s confession ignited a slow burn inside him. He tightened his arms around her. She felt small and vulnerable, which made it all the more impressive that she could handle a horse like Slingshot.

      “Have you ever been married, Vic?”

      “No, ma’am.”

      “Never came close?”

      “Nope.”

      Her fingertip touched his cheek and he jumped inside. “Is it because of the scar?” She leaned back and looked him in the eye.

      He admired Tanya for asking such a direct question. “I’ve never given much thought to the future.” Marriage had never been on his radar. Since he’d been nineteen he’d had one goal—winning a national title. He couldn’t move forward with his life until he put the past behind him.

      “Mind if I cut in?” a feminine voice interrupted them.

      Tanya stiffened in Vic’s arms a second before she smashed her breasts against his chest. The feel of her sent a rush of blood straight to his crotch. Then she bumped her pelvis—intentionally—against his erection before acknowledging the interruption.

      “I’m Darcy.” The buxom blonde batted her butterfly lashes.

      Vic opened his mouth to decline Darcy’s offer, but Tanya beat him to it. “No can do, Darcy.” Tanya’s fingers bit into his arm. “We were just leaving.” She stared at him. “Right, Vic?”

      Tanya’s eyes flashed—from anger or desire, it didn’t matter. He was leaving the bar with her. “We’re out of here.”

      Tanya stepped forward, but Darcy blocked her path. “Where are you leaving to...if I may ask?”

      Tanya slid her arm through Vic’s. “Somewhere more private.”

      Darcy’s eyes widened. “You two are sleeping together?”

      Vic waited for Tanya to set Darcy straight, but instead of denying the accusation, she dragged him through the crowd and straight out the door.

      After they got into the pickup, she spoke. “Vic?”

      He stared out the windshield afraid to look at her. Afraid to see in her eyes the same yearning he was positive showed in his. “What?” He forced the word past his lips.

      “I know you have another ride tonight, but I’m going to ask anyway.”

      He stopped breathing.

      “Do you want to get a motel room with me?”