Arina grabs my hand, tugging me toward the pen as the operator waves us over. The crowd stirs instantly, phones rising, eager for the show that’s about to unfold. The people part as me and Arina climb into the pen, the announcer calling out that the bulls are running side by side tonight—two rides at once, double the show.
I swing my leg over the saddle, the leather slick beneath my thighs. The bull’s body is cold at first, steel and padding hidden beneath the worn covering. But the second I grip the handle, adrenaline floods through me. My thighs tighten around the bull, denim scraping against the polished surface as I shift for balance.
Across from me, Arina mirrors my movement, her braid falling over her shoulder as she grins at me, eyes sparkling with challenge.
“Ready to lose?” She shouts over the noise.
“Not a chance,” I fire back, tightening my hold.
The operator gives a nod—and with a sharp buzz, both bulls jolt to life.
The first spin nearly flips me sideways, the force dragging against my arms as my thighs burn from holding on. The crowd roars, boots stomping against the dirt floor. I bite my lip, adjusting my grip, my body bouncing hard against the saddle as the bull twists left, then snaps right.Every movement jolts through me, thighs hugging tighter, muscles trembling as I fight to stay on.
Arina’s bull bucks even harder. Her legs clamp down for dear life as King’s voice cuts through the chaos. “Hold on, baby! You got it!” He looks half proud, half ready to jump in and catch her if she falls.
Saint stands near the fence, arms folded across his chest, but his eyes never leave me. He doesn’t yell, doesn’t cheer—he just watches, lips tugging into a slow, hungry grin like he’s enjoying every second of me fighting to hold on.
Cairo’s louder than King, of course—pumping his fist in the air, grinning. “That’s what I’m talking about, baby girl!” His voice rings over the crowd, wild and unfiltered, his bright green eyes gleaming like the sight of me holding tight and bouncing against the bull is the highlight of his night.
The bull jerks hard, and I let out a breathless laugh, adrenaline firing through my veins. My thighs scream from the pressure, my arms aching from the strain, my hair whipping across my face.
Arina lets out a shriek, her grip slipping before she tumbles into the padded pit, the crowd exploding with cheers and laughter. I can’t help but laugh, still hanging on—until my bull twists sharp and snaps downward as I go flying, landing with a thud beside her.
The world spins for a second before I burst into laughter, dirt clinging to my knees as I push myself upright.
King’s doubled over, clapping and shaking his head, yelling something about how close she came. Saint’s grin turns sharper, darker—like watching me hold on and fall lit something inside him. Cairo whistles loud, clapping like I just won a championship. “That’s it! That’s how you do it!”
The crowd’s energy hums in my ears as I brush dirt from my shorts, my pulse still racing. Arina’s beside me, laughing just as hard, her braid a frizzy mess. We climb out of the pit,legs wobbling like jelly, the adrenaline still coursing through us. The cheers fade behind us, but the wild energy lingers.
King reaches out for Arina, pulling her up into his arms. “You did good, baby,” he says, brushing dirt from her arm like she didn’t just eat it in front of half the ranch. His eyes glow with pride, and she melts right into it, still laughing breathlessly.
Cairo helps me stand, as Saint appears at my side, two drinks in hand. He passes me one, his eyes never leaving mine. “You earned it pretty.” His lips curve into a slow grin as his caramel coated eyes trail briefly down my dirt-streaked body.
I take the cup, the chill of condensation biting into my palm. “I lasted longer than Arina, so yes I did earn it.”
Arina gasps, grabbing the drink from Saint. “By, like, three seconds! Don’t even start.”
Cairo laughs from behind us. “Doesn’t matter who won,” he says. “Y’all both looked damn good on that bull.” He gives a low whistle, his sage green eyes stuck on me. “And definitely made my night.”
I roll my eyes but the smile wins anyway as I take a slow sip. Saint just shakes his head, his gaze deepening like he’s already undressing me with it. He hasn’t said much—and honestly, he doesn’t have to. I know the look. He’s imagining every way he’s going to make me ride him until my legs give out.
He turns away, heading for the bar as Arina and I clink our cups together. The adrenaline hasn’t even started to fade, and as we lean against the fence, sipping our drinks, I know one thing for sure—the night’s only just begun.
Chapter Forty
Seduction
T
he music shifts from twangy country to a heavy bass remix, the kind that hits low and pulls at your hips. String lights flicker overhead, stretching in lines across the barnyard, casting everything in a soft amber glow as dusk deepens into night.
Arina catches my eye, her grin matching mine, and without saying a word we both drift toward the music. King follows close, his hand already sliding around her waist, while Cairo slips up behind me, his palm finding my hip like it’s meant to be there. Saint lingers a step back, drink in hand, his gaze never straying far.
The four of us blend into the crowd, bodies moving with the rhythm. I let my arms lift, feeling the pulse of the song move through me, my body swaying with Cairo pressed against my back.
Arina’s glowing, her hat tipped low as she spins into King, his grip firm on her waist. Their laughter carries, drawing whistles from the people nearby.
I have no idea where she learned to dance like that. She’s matching his moves perfectly, like they’ve been practicing in secret or something. I’m just relieved Cairo isn’t out here trying to toss me around—I’ve got two left feet on a good day. Maybe that’s why Saint stayed seated, he probably can’t dance either.
