Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

Rain blew into the hood of my jacket, and my boots splashed through puddles on the side walk. There was only one thing I wanted and only one place to get it.

I pushed open the door of Boots and Bang, kicked the water off my rain boots, and tossed my soaked jacket and shoulder bag onto the coat rack. Marnie was waiting for me at the bar with one raised brow and a tequila shot.

"Three more."

She lined 'em up, and I knocked them back. Okay, I winced, yeah, but the effect was worth it. I mighta wobbled on my way to join the line dancers, but I didn't care.

I let go as the rhythm took me. Heel, toe, step, slide. I wove amongst the others lost in guitars, drums, and feet pounding on wood.

Song after song rolled through us, and I lost track of who and where I was. A familiar beat broke through the clouds of my mind, and I felt big hands on my waist and a voice against my ear.

"Rain boots. Hot."

I knew the voice, and it should've sent me far, far away, but the hands felt good and the curves even better. Jolene was like that. Strong, sturdy, big, commanding. She moved, and I followed. Where her body pointed me, I went.

Have you ever been with someone who moved so in sync with you that you didn't have to think? You just bled into them and lost all sense of direction?

Do it, Jolene! Tell me where to go. Show me the dance of my dreams! Make me feel ALIVE again.

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Electrifying.

Intoxicating.

Bodies.

Curves.

Sweat.

Fire.

I burned.

Something in me burned back, and I ran to the Cowgirl lounge, rain boots slamming the wood beneath my feet. Toilet, yes, that's what was required. I hugged it as the night's mistakes came hurling up.

Hands pushed hair outta my eyes, pulling my bun loose.

"Need me to braid it for you, don't you, Sam? There. Perfect braid, just like always. You always did need my touch with that mop you've got on your head. Look how pretty you are now."

Heave. Stomach emptying.

A finger traced the left side of my neck.

"My pretty little Sam. So dainty. You're hot tonight, aren't ya? I know what you need."

A hand smoothed my waist.

Retching. Acid on my tongue and in my nose.

"I'm always here for you, Sam. I'll always be here when you need me. You're still mine. You always were. You always will be. I'll take care of you tonight."

Curves against my back. Breath against my ear.

"You're still mine."

I knelt, and I didn't want the toilet in front of me anymore. I needed to wash the bile from my lips, so I spun.

Jolene jerked back, astonished.

One last heave.

My stomach was nearly empty, but Jolene made an excellent puke bucket.

"Never. Never say that to me again," I spat, fury accenting every word, and I fled the bar.

There was only one place left to go, and my Nanna opened the door and welcomed my soaked self across the threshold. It wasn't the first time she'd done so, and it wouldn't be the last.

"Drink every drop."

It was only water, but getting it down felt like death.

"And at least half the bagel," Nanna commanded.

Right. Jolene wasn't the only demanding woman in my life, but with Nanna, it came from a place of care. She was only trying to make the next day better.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow, Sam. Are you sleeping on the couch or in your old room?"

But I'd already closed my eyes against the couch cushion, and I felt a soft quilt cover me as darkness pulled me under.