The Last-Chance Maverick

“Sorry about that, folks,” he said to the man when he turned and glared at him over his shoulder, then focused again on his dance partner. “Vanessa, do you know how to two-step?”

Her nose scrunched up. “Not really. I’ve been watching the couples when I’m here at the bar and I want to learn, even though it’s not on my—” She stopped and bit down on her bottom lip for a moment. “I’ve been concentrating on line dancing.”

Jonah glanced to his left and found the center of the dance floor filled with couples, but moving much slower. He stepped out of the ring of couples and pulled Vanessa in closer.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Dancing.” He turned to face her again, this time sliding his hand to the small of her back, holding her in place—much closer this time—as he started to move in an unhurried circle. “Isn’t that what this is called?”

“Ah, yes.” Her stiff posture relaxed as she smiled, moving her hand up to circle his neck while aligning her body with his from his chest to his knees. “I believe it is. You know, I always wondered why couples would gather out here in the center of the floor and slow dance.”

The press of her soft curves reminded Jonah again of how long it’d been since he’d held a woman in his arms. “Maybe because one of them doesn’t know how to two-step.”

“Or maybe they want to be able to talk and get to know each other a little better.”

“They can’t do that while sitting at a table?”

She laughed softly, her puffs of breath enticingly warm against his throat. “Probably wouldn’t be as much fun.”

He couldn’t argue with that.

“When was the last time you did any dancing?” she asked. “Country or any other style?”

It took him a minute as he thought back. The charity event in Denver where that photograph of him and Nadia had been taken. “It’s been over a year.”

“Don’t get out much?”

“I’ve been working quite a bit. Got back from a year in Brazil in the spring and started working on the resort project in August.”

“Well, you know what they say about all work and no play, architect.”

Yeah, many probably considered him a dull guy, but dedication to his work was what got him through the hardest time of his life.

Not wanting to go down that path, Jonah figured he and Vanessa probably should get to know one another better since they were going to be working together, but first things first.

He tightened his grip on her hand before bringing it in to rest against his chest. “I owe you an apology for my rudeness this morning.”

She leaned back and looked up at him. “I take it finding out about me and the mural was a surprise?”

Boy that seemed to be the word for the evening. “Yes.” He waited a moment and then added, “But a nice one.”

A tilt of her head told him she wasn’t sure if she believed him. “Why do I get the feeling a certain architect doesn’t like surprises.”

That had been more of a statement than a question, so Jonah remained silent. The truth was he hated them. Always had. Even as a kid, he liked knowing what was happening, what was coming down the road and when.

Birthdays and Christmas mornings were only made better once his folks took his detailed lists of gift ideas seriously. His brothers had messed with him a time or two over the years, but once he got into high school his life revolved around his studies and the girl he’d started dating his freshman year.

The only girl for him until everything changed eight years ago.

“No apology is necessary,” Vanessa continued, cutting into his thoughts. “I’m happy you’re on board with the idea now.”

Glad she wasn’t upset with his behavior, Jonah wove his way back to his original intent. “Very much on board. I’ll need to get our interior-design team in the loop on this, sharing any preliminary drawings and color choices you have for the mural with them.”

Vanessa dropped her gaze from his. “Yes, of course, you will.”

“I’ll admit I don’t know much about your work or even how a mural is painted. Do you have any ideas or sketches yet?”

“I just found out about Nate’s idea this morning, as well.” Her shoulders stiffened and her feet once again became tangled with his. “Oops! Sorry about that. Ah, it’s going to take me some time to come up with...a plan, a design.”

Jonah wondered how much time, the analytical side of his brain already making plans as he mentally reviewed the upcoming schedule.

“The main hall where you’ll be working is pretty much finished except for the furnishings and such, so you won’t have to worry about any construction mess getting in the way,” he said. “Of course, we’ll have to build you scaffolding depending on the size and scope of the mural.”

“Yes, I know, but—”

“And find a way to give you as much privacy as you need, but then again, it is a construction site so I hope you can work with noise and people. Do artists tend to prefer quiet?”

“Yes, s-some do. I usually work alone, but I’m sure I’ll be able to manage.”

Jonah picked up on the hesitation in her words. “Did Nate tell you the grand opening of the resort is planned for the Christmas holidays? That’s less than twelve weeks away. Does that time frame work for you? I hate to have the project half finished—”

“Wow, has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

Vanessa’s question cut into his sentence, silencing him for a moment as he gave it serious thought. “Yes, actually, it has been mentioned a time or two. Especially when it comes to work.”

“So, let’s not talk about work. Or talk at all.” She trailed her fingertips across the back of his neck, just along the edge of his shirt collar. “Just enjoy the music, the dancing...the moment.”

She was right. They had plenty of time to talk about the mural and resort later. It’d been a long day and while dancing was the last thing he’d ever thought he’d be doing tonight, he had to admit it felt pretty damn good to hold her in his arms.

Pressing his cheek to her hair, he pulled in a deep breath and a fresh, flowery scent filled his head. He relaxed for the first time since he’d come home.

As the song ended and another began, Vanessa didn’t make any move to step away. In fact, she seemed to cling tighter. Her lush curves felt great, especially since the last woman he danced with was so thin and delicate he’d often wondered if she’d break if he held her too tight.

“Not going anywhere,” he whispered.

The tension eased from her body and they danced through that song and a third one before the music selection changed and things got lively again.

“Let me guess,” Vanessa stepped back when he stopped moving. “You’re not interested in doing any line dancing.”

“You’ve guessed right.”

She smiled, moved out of his embrace and headed off the dance floor. Jonah fell into step behind her as they made their way through the crowd, almost bumping into her when she suddenly stopped.

“Ah, hello, Tommy.”

Jonah looked over her shoulder and found the cowboy she’d been trying to dodge standing right in front of them. Taking a step closer and to one side, he again placed a hand at the small of her back, and moved in next to her.

“Jonah.” She turned, a look of relief on her face. “This is my friend, Tommy Wheeler. Tommy, this is Jonah Dalton, my...um, my...”