Page 44 of Wild Lies

I lean back into him, silently asking for more even though I know I can’t have it right now. The warmth of his chest presses into my back, wrapping me in the faint scent of laundry detergent. I wish we didn’t have to go tonight, that we could stay in my cabin and enjoy each other some more before I have to leave. Maybe I don’t have to leave. I’m meeting with Maddie tomorrow and there could be the possibility of work for me here.

“Get those dirty thoughts out of your mind, Chlo,” Kade growls, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking, what I need from him.

He smacks my ass before stepping away and leaving me to feel both cold from the loss of him and hot and turned on with my need for him.

The click of his truck door opening echoes through the silent night, but I don’t move right away. I know he’s waiting with the door open for me to climb in before he rounds the hood, just like he has done every time he’s come to pick me up. But if I don’t gather myself, I’ll be begging him for a repeat of last night.

Kade doesn’t rush me, and I suspect that’s because he needs a moment for himself. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. I inhale deeply before I turn and head toward the truck, emptying my lungs.

Taking the hand he offers, I step up, sliding into the seat before reaching for the seatbelt, anything to keep from looking at him. To my surprise, Kade steps into the gap of the open door, running his hand through my hair until he cups the back of my head. I melt into him, needing no encouragement when his mouth covers mine.

He pulls away far too soon, leaving me breathless as his blue-green eyes find mine. They’re impossibly dark in the overhead light, like the undiscovered depths of the ocean. With one last look, and a low growl, he slams the door shut before rounding the hood of the truck and subtly adjusting himself. I roll my lips together, the feel of his mouth on mine fading far too quickly.

Without saying a word, Kade cranks the engine, the radio coming to life and a familiar country song filling the quiet of the cab. I hum along, tapping my hand on my thigh as Kade navigates the track off the ranch.

When we pull out onto the main road, the song has finished, and the DJ is talking about the artist’s upcoming tour. I turn the volume down, the low rumble of the truck’s engine filling the quiet of the cab as I face Kade, admiring the strong set of his jaw. “Tell me about the rodeo. I’ve only ever heard about it or seen things on TV, and I’m fairly certain that isn’t realistic at all.”

He takes a hand off the steering wheel and takes hold of mine, his gaze darting to me for a second before he returns it to the road. We interlace our fingers as if this is a normal Saturday night for us.

“There’s a lot of bright lights, dust, food and music. In the area that we’ll be in, you’ll get to see all the animals up close and personal, as well as the riders as they prepare for their time in the arena. Some don’t like talking to people; they’ll be praying or keeping to their teams. Others love the fans adoring them, so they’ll be surrounded by crowds of people. Usually women, which we call buckle bunnies. They love cowboys, but especially the ones who ride in the rodeo.”

“Which one are you?” I ask, trying to keep the spark of jealousy I feel from igniting at the thought of him being with someone else. “One who prefers to keep to yourself or being loved on by your adoring fans?”

“I keep to myself. It’s easier that way.” He pauses, squeezing my fingers reassuringly before adding, “I can’t have anyone figuring out who I am, so I don’t interact with the fans, no matter how much I’d like to because there are a lot of young kids that go to the shows.”

“Do you think you’ll tell your family one day?” I ask, unbuckling my seatbelt and scooting across the bench to rest my head on his shoulder.

“No.” It’s a definitive answer and one I know he’s thought about ever since he started. But then he adds, “Well, maybe, but only when I’ve stopped competing.”

Based on what I’ve seen, and what Kade has told me, I know how dangerous participating in the rodeo can be. I almost don’t want to ask the question, but I force it past my lips. “Are you not afraid of getting hurt?”

Kade glances toward me, a soft vulnerability in his eyes. “Yes, and no. Obviously, I know there’s that element of danger, given what happened with Kurt. The risk will always be at the forefront of my mind every time I get on the back of my horse, but it’s also what excites me. It’s the adrenaline that makes me go back every week. I guess I also feel a little closer to my uncle, and my dad, when I’m there too, which feels like a fucked-up thing to say, but being at the rodeo together was always our thing.”

We fall quiet, the miles between us and the rodeo becoming fewer and fewer until I can see the glow of the lights up ahead. I say a silent prayer the closer we get, pleading for Kade to stay safe tonight, I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to him.

Country music fills the air, blasting through the closed windows as Kade turns off the main road. We come to a stop at a gate, and he pulls a bandana from the dashboard, tying it around his face until all you can see are his eyes, which are hidden in shadow by his hat.

The security guard waves us through, and I crane my neck to see through the structures surrounding us as we drive into the makeshift parking lot.

Bright lights flood the main arena, and when I follow Kade from the truck, I’m hit with the scent of hay and fried food.

His fingers slide between mine once he’s grabbed a duffle from the bed of the truck. He leads the way across the parking lot, the air filled with chatter from the spectators and music.

26

CHLOE

It’s noisier than I expected. We’re in the rider’s area of the arena, and it’s just like Kade described.

He pulls me into his side, talking into my hair, loud enough to be heard through the material of his bandana. “We’ll go check in with Dax and then get you seated out with the spectators.”

I nod, letting him guide me through the crowd as I take everything in. There are animals being led around and people with all the trappings of a cowboy adorning their bodies. I’ve never seen so many tassels in one place. It’s loud and there’s a thrum of excited energy swirling in the air, without a hint of the very real danger everyone here is putting themselves in.

We arrive at a table with numbers laid out across it and a cowboy that looks like he’s stepped out of a magazine shoot is seated behind it. He stands when he catches sight of Kade. “Hey, King, glad you could make it.”

I might not be able to see Kade’s face, but I can feel the way his body has eased the longer we’ve been here and hear the smile on his face when he replies, “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Dax.” Kade pulls me forward, wrapping an arm around my waist as he adds, “This is Chloe.”

Dax shifts his focus to me, a lopsided smile on his face that I’m sure works on plenty of other women as he looks me over from head to toe. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chloe.” He tips his hat at me. Shifting his attention to the table, he picks up a number and hands it to Kade. “Here you go, King. Good luck out there.”