“I would ask you to dance, but I don’t know how to waltz or whatever it is they’re doing,” Jacob says.
“Neither do I, but I think we should go try.”
Jacob raises his eyebrows. “Don’t get mad when I step on your feet.”
“At least you’re not a horse stepping on my feet.”
He laughs again and takes my hand, leading me away from the tables and over to the front of the large room. We look at another couple and copy the way they’re holding onto each other. We keep our right hands interlocked, and I rest my left hand on Jacob’s shoulder while he puts his on my back again, pulling me in a little closer.
My dress swirls around my feet as we shuffle back and forth, trying to imitate the moves everyone around us is doing. I’m the one who ends up tripping and Jacob catches me. Laughing, I bend my head down, resting my forehead against his chest. The music swells, and the women spin in the arms of their dance partners. Jacob slides his hands down my waist, fingers lingering before I spin, reaching up to take his hand again. We’re supposed to take a few steps like this, with my back to his front, and Jacob and I both fumble.
I take too quick of a step back, pressing my ass right against him, and while his cock isn’t hard, I can still feel it through his pants. It instantly makes me start to get wet, and my lips part in reaction.
“You all right?” Jacob steadies me once again, and his breath is warm on my neck.
My eyes fall shut in a long blink. “I am. I’m a terrible dancer, but I’m all right.”
“Nah, you could be worse.” Needing to spin me back around, Jacob loops his fingers under mine and twirls me. It’s then that I catch the way he’s looking at me, and it’s the way every girl dreamed someone would look at her someday.
And he keeps looking at me that way as we finish our attempt at this dance, laughing in good spirits as one or both of us messes up. The song ends and we break apart, remembering that we’re at an event and not alone.
“Ah, Dr. Harris,” an older man says, coming over. “I thought that was you.”
“Dr. Sebastian,” Jacob greets him, turning away so he can shake this man’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You as well, lad. And who is your lovely dancing partner? Are you a veterinarian as well?”
“No,” I tell him. “I’m Josie. I, uh, recently inherited a horse recuse.”
“Well, that’s not something you hear every day.” Dr. Sebastian introduces us to his wife, and then, as promised, Jacob takes me around, introducing me to the few other people he knows here.
I’m actually having a really good time, and it’s definitely thanks to being here with Jacob. Should I feel bad for how much I doubted him? For thinking he wanted to be right more than he wanted me to succeed?
There’s definitely a different side to Dr. Jacob Harris, and I’m starting to have a really hard time denying just how much I like that side of him.
Because, dammit, I do.
We go back to the table together for nibbles and cocktails. We make another round together after that, and then Jacob joins a group of other equine vets while I talk with some of the other people who are in the rescue business.
Jacob and I talk and laugh through dinner, and then say we’re going to meet back on the dance floor after making another social round so we can try to redeem ourselves at dancing. I’m slowly walking around, looking at the items for the silent auction, when Mr. Rudolph and I run into each other.
“I take it you’re having a nice night,” he says, breath smelling like brandy.
“I am. It’s nice to meet other horse people.”
“I’m sure.” He pulls a business card from his pocket. “I don’t know if my daughter mentioned that I’m in real estate.”
“She did.” I take the business card.
“Well, keep that in mind when you decide to list your property.”
“What?” I shake my head. “I’m not selling.”
“You’re not?” Mr. Rudolph tips his head slightly.
“No, I’m definitely not.”
“Huh. Interesting, because Dr. Harris mentioned how much he’d love to buy your land.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
JACOB
I can’t help it and steal another glance across the room at Josie. Fuck, she’s so beautiful. Her dark blue dress fits her body perfectly, with delicate straps that rest slightly off her shoulders. I lack the control to keep from thinking about sliding those straps down her arms, reaching around to undo the zipper, and watching the dress cascade to the floor around her feet.
Where her stubbornness annoyed me before, I admire it now. She’s here, at this over-the-top gala just so she could make connections in the horse world to better help those she has in her care. Yes, it’s a hard business to be in, but I’m starting to see that Josie does have what it takes. I haven’t felt this way about anyone in a long fucking time, but if anyone can make my heart beat for another again, it’s her.