Page 26 of Healing Her Cowboys
Brik wanted her to not worry about steps and just enjoy her time with him on the dance floor.
Atlas ordered a round of drinks and sat them down on a table close to where they were dancing. After the song ended, they joined him and clinked glasses before downing their beers. The hard work of ranch life seemed to fade away under the warm glow of the bar’s lights and soothing country tunes.
This was the place they always came to wind down after a hard day’s work. Now, they got to share it with Reese. Letting into more of their world felt damn good.
“My turn for a dance,” Atlas said before pulling her up to her feet.
Reese looked over at Brik, who nodded his acceptance before they moved to the dance floor. Seeing them together didn’t flare up any jealousy this time. Instead, he was glad to trust Atlas to watch over her when he wasn’t. He watched Atlas pull her in for a slow dance as they moved in time with the change in music. She leaned into him, letting her body relax.
When the song finally ended, they headed back, only to be stopped by a man who stumbled up to them. His eyes glazed over from having one too many drinks.
He looked Reese up and down with a leering smile that had Brik up on his feet in an instant. He could barely make out what the man said.
“Want to dance with a third partner, little lady?”
“I’m good,” Reese said back.
“You gonna dance with those two pretty boys, but want to leave me hanging?”
“She’s not interested,” Atlas said.
Brik was almost to them when the man grabbed Reese. Before he could clock him, Atlas knocked him to the ground with one quick punch to the face.
“Damn,” Brik said. “Wasn’t that supposed to be my play?”
“No one touches her,” Atlas said. “No one.”
Unlike him, Atlas held a scary calm to it. If you weren’t careful, you’d miss it.
It was rare to see Atlas angry, but Brik understood. No one was allowed any hands on her unless they had plans to lose that hand. It was one reason he was still going to talk with Tony whenhe got the chance. Their help needed to know Reese was off limits, even if it was a joke.
“No one’s going to mess with you as long as we’re around,” Brik told her.
She laughed hard.
Brik shared a look with Atlas, who only shook his head in confusion.
“What’s so funny, baby?” Brik asked.
“I thought you were supposed to be the hothead,” she said. “I didn’t know I had to keep my eyes on both of you.”
Brik smiled at that. “Now you know. With you, neither of us can be trusted.”
They joined in the laughter with her, letting it lighten the surrounding mood.
Brik’s phone vibrated before he could take another swig of his beer. He showed the caller’s name to Atlas. It was their friend David, who didn’t live too far from the bar.
He listened with one hand over his free ear to block out the noise. “David said the storm is coming in faster than he thought,” Brik said after hanging up. “They’re not ready for it and need a few extra men to secure their livestock.”
“I’ll come with you,” Atlas said.
“No, get Reese back home safe. I got this. You should head back to make sure everything is secure there for the worst of it. David is giving me a ride over.”
“Will you be safe?” Reese asked, concern etching the corners of her eyes.
“Of course, beautiful. I need to get back home to you, don’t I?” He pulled her in close and gave her a kiss that he hoped reassured her.
The feeling of her only made him more determined to help and get back to the ranch as soon as possible. No storm in the world could keep him away from her.
