Tate
“Youreadyfortomorrow?”
I’ve answered the question for what feels like a hundred times in the fifteen minutes that I’ve been here, but I smile at Miranda as I give her a confident nod. “If I can ride bulls and broncos that do their best to throw me off, I can be the man behind the scenes.”
Miranda laughs and pats my shoulder before walking away. On the inside, I can’t wait to go home. But, I keep a smile on my face and do my best to appreciate all these people being here to celebrate with and support me. Doing my best to respect Joy’s wishes, I suggested she meet me here instead of showing up together. I’ve been scanning the room for her since I walked through the door.
Hayden takes the bar stool beside me and gently elbows me in the ribs. “Just know, when I go out there and win tomorrow night, I would have even if you were competing.”
Laughing, I flag down the bartender and order us both a round of drinks. Having a drink with Hayden is a hell of a lot better than feeling like I’m on display. Ordinarily, I would turn down something like this. I’m no one important. Boulder Ranch has been a part of my life since what feels like forever, so it’s not crazy that I would take over to make sure the Cole County Rodeo doesn’t disappear. Every season we see new talent. Every year another kid with more heart and ambition than sense spends his summers here learning how to stay on a bull. And if I can get enough help running the place, I plan to offer more programs for the local kids to learn about this lifestyle.
Feeling someone touch my back, I turn to find Joy standing behind me. Her smile causes me to momentarily forget how to speak, so I just smile back at her like an awkward teenager who doesn’t know how to talk to girls.
“Hey,” she says, leaning forward to kiss my cheek.
She kissed me. In public. This time it’s confusion stealing my ability to speak. This woman was so against anyone knowing we’re together. Now, here she is, kissing me in public. It’s just a kiss on the cheek, but still.
“Hi?” My greeting comes out more like a question, causing her to laugh.
“Dance with me?”
I feel Hayden’s eyes on me as I turn completely around on my stool to face Joy. Her smile grows and she steps close enough to casually trail her fingers along my thigh. That tiny bit of contact has my heart speeding up. I ignore Hayden’s laugh as I down my drink and stand, taking Joy’s hand in mine.
“You’re looking at me like you’ve seen a ghost,” she says once I have her in my arms on the dance floor.
The music switches to a faster song, but I know the steps, so I pull her to me, helping her to follow along. “Last we talked about it, you were set on keeping things quiet.”
Stepping back, I hold up our joined hands so she can spin before pulling her close again. Her smile is radiant, and her eyes gleam when she looks up at me. “Yeah, I changed my mind.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm hmm,” she hums. “I never used to hide. I don’t want to start now. Plus, apparently everyone already knows about us. And you were right. No one cares.”
The laugh I’m trying to hold in escapes as a low rumble. It doesn’t matter why she changed her mind. I’m just glad I don’t have to pretend like I’m not aching to touch her every time I see her. I’m a grown man, so of course I don’t plan to put on a show, but I don’t want to pretend like we’re just friendly acquaintances. And I don’t want to pretend to be single.
Having her in my arms this way reminds me of the day we met. Our connection was impossible to ignore. Even when she was yelling at me. Seeing her again at the bar, and getting my hands on her? That only solidified things.
“I won’t say I told you so.”
Laughing to herself, she allows me to pull her close as the music slows. Her scent invades my nose, so I close my eyes and breathe her in. I really need Gray to come through with the help, because I don’t get to spend time with my girl nearly as often as I’d like. Most of the times are when she insists on coming over to help around my place.
“I was already tired of working so hard to not look at you. And then when Miranda asked about you, she pretty much laughed at me when I tried to answer as just a person who knows you. She told me everyone already knows, and like you said, no one cares. But I still don’t want us to be like this when I’m at work.”
“Of course. I’m just glad I get to do things like this.” Barely swaying to the music, I lower my lips to hers.
She welcomes my kiss, parting her lips and swiping her tongue along mine. We made up weeks ago, but this is the first time I’m not weighed down by the heaviness that started the night she said she couldn’t do this. It finally feels like we might make it through, after all.
“Even if people do have a problem with us, I’m not sure I care anymore. I was miserable without you. And yeah, I was pissed, but Grayson’s accident taught me that there are more important things to worry about.”
I kiss her again, this time it’s less chaste, and I have to remind myself that we’re in the middle of a crowded bar. Her body molds to mine as we continue swaying. I’m not sure how many songs go by as I continue to hold her and appreciate the warmth of her body against mine.
Eventually, the music switches over to a popular line dance, but I’m not ready to let go of her. “You want to get out of here?”
With an eyebrow raised, she looks up at me. “These people are here for you. Do you really want to skip out on your own party?”
“With you? Hell yeah, I do.” I laugh. “This isn’t a party. We just all agreed to meet here for some drinks. I’m here. I had drinks and talked to everyone I wanted to talk to. Right now, I just want to get you home. Naked. And in my bed.”
Her breath catches and I watch as her pupils dilate. She nods her head and gives a breathy affirmation that does nothing to discourage my hardening dick. Hayden catches my eye and smirks. I give him a nod but otherwise ignore him as I fight to keep from dragging Joy from the bar. As soon as we reach the door, I pull it open and nearly collide with Wyatt and Rayna.
