Free Redeemed Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Series Book 3) by Ginny Sterling

into his arms for the first dance.
    Teri let out a huge sigh of longing. She loved Etta James and “At Last” seemed so appropriate for the moment. She felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to find Richard standing over her.
    Richard was not going to pass up any opportunity to be with Teri. He saw other couples move to the floor now that the bride and groom were dancing. He moved behind Teri and asked formally, “May I have this dance?” while holding out his hand.
    Richard noticed that Teri had removed her shoes. He wanted her to be comfortable and in her element with him. He shook his head at her, grinning when she reached for the heels under the table. “You won’t need those. I will be careful of your feet. I promise,” he vowed.
    He spun her onto the dance floor with a flourish and grinned as Teri laughed. He pulled her tightly to him and held her close. They danced together for quite some time until Jacob tried to cut in. Richard was tempted to say no to his friend and decided against it.
    Jacob held Teri loosely as Millie stepped into Richard’s arms. “Take it easy with my wife, buddy” Jacob said mildly and winked at Millie. Jacob turned back to Teri and asked lightly, “So? You and Richard, eh?” He didn’t see any reason to sugarcoat it and, frankly, after the display of affection between the two of them, he was downright curious.
    For as long as Jacob had known him, Richard had never shown this much interest in one woman for any length of time. Richard had been asking about Teri over the last two weeks, ever since the bachelorette party. Jacob was surprised that the interest had lasted this long for him. Teri was not Richard’s typical woman he pursued. She, in fact, broke every stereotype that had come before her.
    At Teri’s silence and downcast gaze, Jacob was about to ask Teri again if they were an item and changed his mind. Instead, he offered a piece of advice. “You know Teri, when Richard settles on something, he goes after it. It’s not a bad idea to go after things that make you happy and, frankly, I haven’t seen you this happy or laugh so much in some time. Maybe this is good for you.”
    Jacob did not let Teri answer but instead swirled her around the floor. He watched his wife over Teri’s shoulder and then offered to return her to her table or Richard, giving her a choice.
    Teri smiled tentatively at Jacob. “You’ve known him for a long time. Is he a good man despite the rumors?” she asked. Danielle’s words had stuck with her and she was very afraid of opening up to someone again. The idea of losing someone or being hurt again scared her to the point she felt like she was missing out on things in her life.
    Jacob grinned. Teri and Richard? He was glad and couldn’t think of two more different people that deserved to have happiness or settle down. “Richard is a great man with a heart of gold,” he stressed with an exaggerated sigh. “DEEP down inside. I’m serious. He has changed quite a bit over the years and really matured. You would have hated him five years ago. He was such an arrogant shit.” He laughed at Teri’s expression.
    “But seeing people die, watching friends and coworkers get hurt on the job, and maturing, do a lot to change a person. He is a helluva guy. Just take things slow and make sure things are right for you, Teri. We don’t want to see you get hurt,” he insisted. Jacob felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Richard waiting with his beautiful bride. Jacob took Millie in his arms and whirled her away, eliciting a loud laugh from his bride as they danced off together.
    Richard held out his hand to Teri on the dance floor. He watched as the lights shimmered and sparkled against her skin in the dim room. She looked as if she had stars caressing her skin and he wanted to touch every glint of light, tracing each curve. “May I?” he said softly.
    Teri placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his hand and the roughness of his callused fingers.