Bad In Boots: Colt's Choice by Patrice Michelle

the front door of the office.
    Colt turned at the sound of Elise exiting the bathroom, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder. She had changed from her everyday jeans, boots and cotton T-shirt to a thigh high spaghetti-strapped dress that showed off her gorgeous shoulders and flared around her firm thighs. The dress was fire engine red and the contrast with her dark hair fueled his desire like none other. He looked down to see matching strappy high-heeled sandals on her feet and hardened instantly.
    “Hi, Colt.” She smiled and walked over to stand next to Mace. “Ready to go?”
    Mace let out a low, appreciative whistle, took her hand and twirled her around in circle. “Gee wiz, Elise. I don’t know about taking you to Rockin’ Joe’s tonight. Maybe I’ll just keep you all to myself.”
    Elise elbowed him in the stomach. “Hey, you’ve been promising me all week you would show me how to do the two-step. No backing out.”
    Elise glanced at him. “Wanna come, Colt?”
    Hell yeah! Colt pushed himself off of the doorjamb of his office. “Sure. Why not? I haven’t been out in a while. Let me get my hat.” He may not plan on touching Elise, but there was no way he’d to let Mace take her out alone. No fuckin’ way!
    When he came back out of his office, they were gone. Colt walked outside to see Elise getting into Mace’s red convertible Mustang.
    Mace pulled up beside him. “We’ll meet you there, bro.”
    Before he could insist on riding with them, Mace took off in his car.
    Colt grumbled to himself about sibling rivalry as he made his way to his truck.

* * * * *
    Rockin’ Joe’s was just as he remembered it, a good-time bar with lots of drinking and dancing. As he walked through the dim, smoke-filled room, country music playing in the background, he spotted Mace and Elise sitting in a secluded corner booth. He’d bet his last dollar Mace had brought many dates to that very booth. Colt set his teeth and headed for the table, his boot heels making a dull thud on the wood floor as he walked.
    When he slid into the bench seat beside Elise, she was now sandwiched between both Tanner brothers. Just as he’d settled in his seat, Mace grabbed Elise’s hand as “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” started up in the background.
    “Come on, Elise, they’re playin’ our song,” he drawled as he pulled her out of the other side of the booth.
    “See you in a few, Colt.” Elise turned and smiled back at him as Mace led her to the dance floor.
    Colt watched his brother swing Elise in his arms. His chest tightened as she laughed up into Mace’s face when she missed a step and tripped. Mace caught her and pulled her closer. Colt fisted his hands beneath the table and set his jaw. He wanted to punch Mace square into the middle of next week.
    Thankfully the song ended and Mace escorted a breathless, rosy-cheeked Elise back to the table.
    She fanned herself and smiled. “Can you get me something to drink, Mace? It’s hot in here.”
    Mace slid back out of the booth. “Anything in particular?”
    “How about Sex on the Beach?” She grinned at him and gave Colt a sideways look. “I haven’t had that in a while.”
    Colt groaned inwardly. The woman was way too sassy for her own good.
    Mace gave him a suggestive smirk before he swaggered away. Colt turned his gaze to Elise and chose a neutral subject. “Looks like you had a good time out there.”
    Her sparkling green eyes met his. “Yes, I did. I’ve never danced the two-step before. It was fun to learn.”
    “How’s the website going?”
    “Great.” Her face became more animated as she talked. “It’s been a while for me, so I had to pull out my textbooks. The code was a little trickier than I had initially thought.” She noticed his raised eyebrow and rushed to assure him, “But I think I have it all figured out.”
    Colt looked at her sincere face. “Something about you tells me you wouldn’t let it go until you got it right, Elise.”
    As she gave him