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Pushing off from the car, he watched as his brother nodded and made his way over to his truck. When his gaze returned back to Libby, his smile instantly grew as he noticed the tinge of pink still highlighting her cheeks.
“Princess, I swear to God, if I catch you making eyes at any cowboys today, I’m gonna spank that little butt of yours pink. Understand?”
His words had the desired effect he was looking for. A snort and an eyeroll followed by giggling. Goddamn, she was adorable.
“Come on, fireman, let’s go. I’ve got cowboys to ogle.”
After unfastening her belt, Libby grabbed her bag and hightailed it out of the car before he could make good on his promise. At least he got a good view of her ass in those jean shorts. Today was going to be a good day.
***
Zach re-joined Libby, Wade and his friend Carter in the stands with cold beers in hand. So far they’d checked out the bronc riding, barrel racing and calf roping and now they were waiting to watch the main event, bull riding.
Although the day had been more fun than he’d initially expected, he’d been fighting to keep his jealousy in check for most of it. Unsurprisingly, Libby had received more than a few admiring glances from fellow spectators. Not that he blamed them. He’d be happy to look at her over the events any day. But just the idea of her being interested in anyone other than him was a hard pill to swallow. Hence the beer.
“Thanks.” Libby was the last to take her drink, flashing that sunny smile his way. “So, now is the time to tell me whether you’ve ridden one of these things, y’know, before I start babbling on about how crazy these dudes are.”
“If I had, then you’d realize you’ve already called me crazy, so it’s kind of too late.”
Playfully bumping her elbow against his, his body responded as she leaned into him. And didn’t move away. “Well, you do run into burning buildings for a living so ... it was probably already a given.”
He couldn’t argue with that one. Before he could respond, the announcer rendered the arena quiet.
As the rodeo announcer introduced the first rider, their attention went to the young man, who couldn’t be more than twenty years old. He wiped his sweaty palms over his jeans and climbed onto the beast they were calling Loco. Anticipation swept through the stands as they watched him wrap the rope tightly around his fist.
It had been a long time since Zach had been to the rodeo. Even longer since he’d been to a bull riding event. A long time ago, his brother Matt had once fancied himself a bull rider, much to his and his mother’s dismay. He’d always found it hard to watch his brother ride. And he was starting to remember why. One particular incident being the very reason he now steered clear of rodeos altogether. Until today.
A wince had now overtaken his face and tension roiled in his gut as the chute opened. Eight seconds felt like an eternity as he witnessed the bull’s brutal thrashing. Loco really lived up to his name. Thankfully, the rider made it through. Bucking off and rolling toward the fence just moments after hitting his time.
The crowd, along with Libby, were on their feet clapping and hollering as the man scampered to safety. The urge to pull her down into his lap was strong. Zach had been wanting to hold her all day. Claim her. As primitive as that sounded. Seeing her like this – happy, carefree and, most importantly, enjoying herself – was everything.
Write a poem, why don’t you? Pathetic.
As she turned to look down at him, the sheer joy sparkling in her eyes made his chest feel tight.
“Oh my God, I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared for a complete stranger before.” She grinned before falling back down next to him. “That shit is intense.”
He couldn’t help himself. His arm instinctively wrapped around her shoulder and tugged her into him. She fell willingly and even rested her head on his chest. That felt good. He didn’t even care she could probably hear his heart beating louder and quicker.
The second and third riders came and went with Libby still in his arms. As the crowd screamed for the fourth rider, he felt her shift. But she didn’t move away. His arm was still tightly wrapped around her. When he twisted to meet her gaze, he found her staring, a contemplative expression on her pretty face.
“I’ve made my decision.” Her voice was soft.
The cheers from the crowd were drowned out not by those words, but by the look in her eyes.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” A small lift of her head and her mouth was brushing over his. Teasing him. “You’re right,” she spoke into him. “I don’t want to fight it anymore.”
It only took one more light graze and he lost control. His teeth latched onto her lower lip, making her gasp, leaving her open for the taking. He dropped the hand that had been previously wrapped around her, and pressed his fingers into her skin where her tank top had ridden up, allowing him to haul her even closer. The feel of her body shaking against him only fanned the flames.
There was no soft. No gentle. Only need, as his tongue got its first taste of beer-flavoured honey.
Libby had no trouble showing him what she wanted. Pulling him in hard and fast until they were both breathless, slowly drawing back to nip and scrape before going back in to drug him over and over again.
He faintly heard whistles and jeers over the thumping in his ears, but he didn’t have it in him to care. This was where he was supposed to be. Coconut conditioner and rose-scented perfume filling his lungs as perfect, plump lips sent rushes of blood all through his body. Except to his brain. Maybe that was why when his brother called his name several times, he didn’t immediately react.
Cockblocker.
