Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Lori Wilde

Author:Lori Wilde
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2017-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Serenade: A lighthearted piece, written in several movements, usually as background music for a social function.

From outside the houseboat came the sound of loud music blaring out across the lake. Frank Sinatra’s “Christmas Waltz.”

“What’s that?” Cash asked, getting to his feet, still digesting everything Paige had told him.

“The Brazos Queen.” She beamed and jumped up. “Returning from a midnight cruise. They have them every Friday and Saturday night in the summer and then again in December, weather permitting.”

Through the open curtains over the wide back window, Cash spied a churning paddlewheel lit up with Christmas lights come into view. A breathtaking sight. The illuminated boat glided over dark water while heavy, fast-falling snow dusted everything a cleansing white.

Paige let out a soft sigh.

Cash glanced over to see her entire face shining bright as an angel, her hands clasped at her heart. Sinatra’s voice permeating the night. Their eyes met, and his pulse quickened.

“Dance with me,” she said abruptly, and held out a hand.

“You want to dance?”

“You’ve convinced me that I need to have more fun.”

Waltzing with her, holding her close, was dangerous. He hesitated. She looked at him, anticipation on her lips, a beguiling smile. The boat would soon pass by. The music would drift away. He’d have her in his arms no more than a couple of minutes.

“Paige,” he murmured, “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

She looked so enchanting, those sparkling hazel eyes full of life and joy. Then she whispered the magic word. “Please.”

Weak man that he was, Cash gave in. Reached out. Took her palm. Wrapped her in his arms.

She was light on her feet. Graceful. Controlled. She knew what she was doing. He led her across the small box of the living area, a neat square suddenly filled with motion and feeling. He hadn’t waltzed in a long time.

Paige interlaced her fingers through his hands, leaned her head against his chest as they danced as a unit. His hand was around her shoulder as she clung to him. One-two-three. One-two-three.

They turned, stepping back a bit as they danced like characters from a Hallmark Christmas movie. Eyes glued to each other. Hands melded. Feet floating in perfect rhythm. The houseboat rocking gently with their movements. Outside the window the snow was a wild flurry now.

It was the most damn romantic thing he’d ever done in his life, and he wanted to keep waltzing forever.

But the paddleboat slid away, the music growing fainter and fainter until they were dancing to nothing but the sound of their comingled breaths.

Cash had to find a way out of this before it was too late. Before he was too far gone.

“I’ve had a great time,” Cash whispered, letting go of her, stepping back. “It’s been lots of fun—”

She leaned into him, her smile a fishing lure, hooking him, reeling him back to her. “So much fun.”

He pressed his chin to the top of her head, loosened his arms from around her waist. “It’s getting late.”

“Is there any of that sangria left?” She peered around his shoulder at the kitchen table.

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