Free Nashville by Heart: A Novel by Tina Ann Forkner Page A

he’d
pull her closer—much closer.
    “You’re
going be a star,” he said.
    “We’ll
see,” she said.
    “It
gives them hope, you know.” He nodded to the group gathered around the table in
the back.
    “My
friends? Yeah, I guess so.”
    “That’s
why they’re so happy for you.”
    He
settled in as the lead, his left hand on her hip and his right hand holding
hers gently as they began to two-step to the rhythms of The Steel Spur band.
Will was good, and she followed his movements like they’d danced together
before.
    “You
like to lead,” she said, noting his fluid movement, perfect steps and the sure
way he held onto her. His hand rested solidly on her hip, sending little waves
of electricity up her torso.
    “I
do. Especially when I’m dancing with a beautiful woman.”
    His
compliment found its mark, even though she was sure he was the type who said
that to all the ladies. She was a pretty good dancer in her own right, and the
two of them rocked around the dance floor like they’d been dancing together
forever. After the first spin, the band settled into Gillian’s favorite Darius
Rucker love song, and before she realized it, Will had pulled her close, both
hands on her hips, encouraging her to sway in a rhythm with him. It took very
little encouragement on her side, and the two of them moved in time together.
    He
smiled down at her. “You have rhythm.”
    “I’m
a musician.”
    “It
doesn’t always translate to dancing.” He slowly spun her around and captured
her in his arms again. “That’s all in the body.”
    “You’re
not so bad yourself,” she said.
    She
caught a tantalizing whiff of his cologne mixed with lingering hints of cigar
smoke and the faintest hint of sweat that filled her senses with the manliness
of it. That probably would’ve sounded funny to say, but after living for years
with her single mom and then rooming with Tasha, she wasn’t accustomed to
having a man around. Inhaling the scent of him, she watched the pulse throb in
his neck. It felt like such a secret thing to see up close how his blood rushed
through his veins. It quickened her own pulse.
    He
gazed down at her. “Do you dance often?”
    “Hardly
ever. I’m usually so exhausted after I get off work at night, I go home and
binge on Hallmark movies.”
    “So
you’re a romantic?” He adjusted his hand comfortably at the curve of her waist.
The chills shivering up her arms were impossible to hide. He responded by
sliding his hand around the small of her back and pulling her a little bit
closer, tucking one of her hands inside of his. Before she could stop it, not
that she wanted to, the space between them completely disappeared. She found
herself more than enjoying the feel of his body against hers, wishing they
could be this way all the time, hating that tomorrow it would probably be back
to business again.
    “You’re
beautiful tonight,” he whispered. Her pulse raced, and she responded by
pressing her cheek against his chest. Feeling the crisp fabric of his western
shirt on her face, she found herself inexplicably wishing it were the warmth of
his skin instead. He whispered something else that she couldn’t hear over the
beat of the music, and she lifted her head to hear.
    “What
did you say?”
    She
could feel his breath quicken. His palm tightened around hers, and he pressed
her gently back to his chest.
    “Nothing.”
His voice was low in her ear. “I shouldn’t have said it.”
    She
burned to hear what it was he shouldn’t have said, but before she could insist
he repeat it, he pulled her tighter, resting his chin on top of her head.
    “It
can wait,” he said, running one hand lightly up her back and leaning over her,
breathing softly into her hair. When the music ended, the two stood for a few
beats longer, the electricity drawing them together.
    His
hands slid up to her face, and he ran a thumb lightly along her jaw. “Lord have
mercy, woman.”
    Gillian
stepped away, shaken. Will gave her a