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“Get a couple,” Cam said. “Pretty sure Liam’s gonna need a lot to recover from Piper’s enthusiasm.”
“Soldier boy’s got game,” Tyler observed as Mitch headed for the bar.
“Not yo’ mama’s Texas two step, right there. That’s, like, the Magic Mike version.”
She slanted him a Look.
“What? I saw the previews.”
Cam’s gaze was drawn inexorably back to Norah, who looked beyond uncomfortable on the dance floor. Tucker might as well have been trying to swing dance with a fence post for all the natural grace and rhythm she displayed. It was so absolutely counter to the way she usually conducted herself, he almost wanted to laugh.
“You know, I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself. There really is something Norah’s not good at. Do you suppose it’s the alcohol?”
“No, bless her heart. She hasn’t got an ounce of rhythm and isn’t following his lead at all,” Tyler said. “Of course, he’s tryin’ to showboat and going way above a basic skill level.”
Cam thought back to New Year’s. She hadn’t had any trouble following his lead.
“Okay, so I have no idea what excuse y’all are using to keep yourselves from following through on the sparks you throw off every time you get within ten feet of each other, but I’m pretty sure we’ve taken out her half of them with those shots. So what are you going to do about it, Crawford?”
Cam cut a glance toward Tyler. “Do about it?”
“Why else do you think I got Tucker to drag you out tonight? Don’t even try to tell me you don’t have a thing for her. I’ve known you too many years for that to fly. You’ve never looked at any woman like that.”
Uncomfortable, Cam wondered if any of his family had made the same observation.
“She looks at you the same way when she thinks nobody’s looking. Whatever her objections are, they have nothing to do with lack of interest. Don’t tell me you’re going to waste this opportunity to work on her when her shields are down.”
“You are a sneaky bitch.”
“You love me,” she said, smug.
“Yes, yes, I do.” He’d wanted an opportunity to prove to Norah that there were more important things in life than career. Judging by the nut shot she’d taken at Bob the Bastard, she absolutely wasn’t in a frame of mind to let go of that perspective. “I don’t know how much good it’ll do, though.”
“Never know until you try. You could start by going to rescue her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman look terrified of dancing with Tucker before. That’s a really impressive use of multiple left feet.”
Seeing his very nosy cousin returning with pitchers and glasses, Cam saluted Tyler and made his escape. The choice at the jukebox was easy. He made his selection and wove his way through the crowd just in time to keep Norah from crashing into another couple, as Tucker’s attempted spin completely got away from him.
“This is an intervention. You’re turning this poor woman into a weapon. Go get a beer.”
“I tried…to tell you…I can’t dance. Seriously.”
Tucker held up his hands in surrender. She started to follow him back to the table, but Cam caught her neatly around the waist and spun her into his arms as the music he’d chosen began to play. “My turn.”
She angled her head, listening to the music. “The Dance? Really?”
“Seemed appropriate.”
“Is this meant to be romantic or a guilt trip?”
“Neither. It’s nostalgic. Some things really are simple. Come here.” As he had New Year’s Eve, Cam nudged her head toward his shoulder.
She didn’t fight him. Her body curved toward his as if just as starved for contact as he was. How had it only been a month since he’d held her? It felt like years. As they circled the floor, the tension he’d noted when he’d walked in bled away, leaving her warm and pliant in his arms. He didn’t think of the town, didn’t think of the campaign, or the fact that after tomorrow she could be leaving. He thought only of how right she felt pressed against him and that he’d do almost anything to keep her there.
When Norah lifted her head, her face was flushed, her eyes over-bright. Cam didn’t want to move, didn’t want to let her go, but the music swung into something upbeat. Around them, patrons formed into lines and launched into a grapevine.
“Let’s step outside for some air.” There were things he wanted—needed—to give voice to, and the middle of a crowded dance floor wasn’t the place.