Tripp inhaled sharply as Winn slid his hand slowly up Adrianna’s back. He narrowed his gaze. Anger surged. He’d made it clear to Winn that Adrianna was his date for the evening.
Actually, he’d taken it a step further. He’d let Winn believe Adrianna was his girlfriend. But that was something he’d clear up later.
Once he pried Winn’s hands off Adrianna’s body.
The crowded dance floor could have explained why Winn held her so tightly, although Adrianna doubted that was the only reason. She guessed it had more to do with Tripp’s unyielding gaze fixed on them and Winn’s desire to jerk his chain.
She was certain Winn was aware of Tripp’s scrutiny. Her “Tripp radar” had kicked in almost immediately upon reaching the dance floor. She’d waited until she was facing the right direction before slanting a quick glance where she’d last seen Tripp. Just as she’d thought, he was staring. Their eyes met and one look from his baby blues was all it took to send her pulse into overdrive.
Telling herself that it was supremely tacky to stare at one man while dancing with another, Adrianna pulled her gaze back to Winn.
“Being a midwife, I’m guessing you could find work anywhere.” Halfway through the sentence his gaze dropped to her cleavage.
Adrianna waited, determined not to speak until he stopped conversing with her breasts.
Winn finally looked up. “With so many choices I’m surprised you ended up here.”
It wasn’t the first time she’d heard the ridiculous statement, but the sentiment always caught Adrianna off guard. As far as she was concerned, there wasn’t a better place to live than surrounded by the majestic Tetons.
She gave a throaty laugh. “What’s wrong with Jackson Hole?”
Winn’s lips lifted in a lazy smile. “Well, for starters, it’s a bit on the small side.”
“That’s part of its appeal.” Adrianna loved seeing the babies she’d delivered when she went to the grocery store or stopped for a latte at Hill of Beans. “Besides, I grew up here. This is home.”
A speculative look crossed Winn’s face as he guided her across the dance floor, his movements fluid but not showy. “So you and Tripp go way back.”
Actually, not as far back as Winn probably thought, but Adrianna wasn’t about to admit that Tripp hadn’t known she was alive back in high school. “We do.”
“My father told me Tripp was married once but his wife died.” The sympathy in Winn’s eyes appeared sincere. While he came on a little strong, Adrianna had the feeling that deep down Winn was a good guy. Too bad there was no spark.
“Gayle was a dear friend of mine.” A familiar ache wrapped itself around Adrianna’s heart. “A wonderful woman.”
“I didn’t realize you and she were friends.” Winn lifted a brow. “Doesn’t that make things awkward?”
“How do you mean?”
“Your friend was the one Tripp Randall chose to marry. Now she’s gone and he turns to you.” Winn’s gaze fixed on her, gauging her reaction. “You don’t deserve to be second best.”
Adrianna instantly realized Winn had misconstrued her and Tripp’s relationship. A little matter she could clear up with a few simple words. But it felt as though something more was going on here, something she couldn’t put her finger on, something just beyond her reach.
She lifted her chin and gazed at him through lowered lashes. “If you knew me better, you’d know I’m not second best to anyone.”
Winn’s eyes turned hot and dark.
“I find confidence very sexy,” he responded with a glittering smile. “I’m also a man who likes a challenge.”
Adrianna cocked her head. “A challenge?”
“The way I see it, unless a woman has a wedding ring on her finger, she’s available.” While he spoke Winn slid one hand up her back.
Adrianna experienced a strange ticklish aversion to his touch. She was seized with a sudden urge to squirm … or slap his hand away.
“How close are you and Tripp Randall?” Winn asked in a low tone, his breath hot against her ear. “Is there the slightest possibility that another man—”
“I believe this is my dance.”
Adrianna couldn’t believe it when Tripp gently disengaged her from Winn’s arms.
Strangely, Winn didn’t protest.
“Thank you for the dance.” Adrianna offered him a polite smile.
“It was a good beginning,” Winn said, a twinkle in his eye. “I look forward to seeing you again and getting even better acquainted.”
“What was that about?” Tripp took her in his arms. His shoulder was hard beneath her hand, his arms steady as they began to dance.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you going to go out with him?” he asked, eyeing her.
Something about his tone rubbed Adrianna the wrong way. As much as she’d dreamed of more, she’d finally, reluctantly accepted that she and Tripp were just friends. After all, he’d made it clear friendship was all he wanted from her. So why was he acting as if she’d done something wrong by simply allowing another man to flirt with her?
You can’t have it both ways, Tripp Randall.
“I may.” She lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “If he asks.”
Tripp’s blue eyes darkened to black and his lips pressed together. “I don’t trust him.”
“You don’t know him,” Adrianna said mildly.
“You don’t either,” he shot back.
“Isn’t that what dating is about … getting better acquainted?” Adrianna responded, instead of telling him that she had no interest in dating Winn Ferris.
“Doesn’t it bother you that even though Winn believes we’re dating, he continued to put some serious moves on you?” he murmured, twining a strand of her hair loosely around his fingers.
“Winn told me he considers any woman available as long as there’s no wedding ring on her finger.” Adrianna cursed herself for sounding breathless. But darn it, when the back of his knuckles brushed her cheek, it took everything she had not to close her eyes and sigh in ecstasy.
“Is that what you believe?” His voice gentled to a husky caress.
“No. Yes. I’m not sure.” Adrianna found it hard to think clearly with him so near. “But you and I aren’t dating, so I don’t see that it’s any of your business who I see or don’t see.”
“I care about you, Anna.” Tripp caught her hand in his, lifted it to his mouth and pressed a kiss in the palm. Time seemed to stretch and extend as he looked deep into her eyes. “I’ll find you a good man.”
Her spine stiffened. She could feel it go hard vertebra by vertebra. She pushed away from him, irritation fueling her movements. The only problem she had in the man department was her attraction to Tripp, a man who didn’t want to date her but apparently wanted to run her social life. “I don’t mind your introducing me to your friends, but I’m more than capable of taking it from there.”
Tripp made a scoffing sound. “You haven’t been on a real date in months.”
“That’s not the point. I decided only last week to be more proactive on that front,” Adrianna said with a studied nonchalance.