It’s the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.
And I am so fucked. I’m drawn to a woman as relentless as the storm we're wrapped in.
She flips around and leans back on me, and I hold her. The rain is gone now, and hell if I don’t want to keep her here all night.
“I’ll take you home when you’re ready,” I tell her. “I’ll grab your car and bring it back to you.”
She nods beneath the brim of my hat she’s still wearing like it belongs to her now. I tip her head up. “You okay ridin’ on the back?”
“Yes,” she breathes, then adds with a little smirk, “just don’t wreck.”
That pulls a grin outta me, the kind that only shows up around her. “When you’re with me, I won't ever let anything happen to you.”
She brushes rain off the brim of my hat and lifts her chin. “I’ll remember that. And I’m keepin’ this hat, by the way.”
“It’s all yours, but you’re wearin’ the helmet till I get you back.”
I slip the hat off her head, tie it back around my handlebars, then ease the helmet onto her and fasten the strap snug beneath her chin. My fingers linger just a second longer than necessary. “There. Safe and sound.”
When I climb on. Her arms lock around me the moment I look back. And just like that, it feels less like a ride and more like carrying the most important damn thing on the planet home.
twenty-three
Sawyer
"He's hotter than a cast iron skillet full of Mama’s cornbread."
I turn my head just in time to catch the woman in front of me biting her lip, her eyes gleaming with pure lust. I follow her line of sight down to Trouble. It's not just his handsome face the crowd is gushing over, it's how masculine he looks, how you can see every muscle through his shirt, the way he controls his movements. And that almost-smile, cocky and unbothered, makes it real clear he’s spent his life on the edge and just daring it to push back.
It’s not just the women swooning—every guy in the stands watches him like they’re impressed or trying to learn something. Like maybe if they watch close enough, they’ll figure out what it is that makes him look so damn fearless.
"Figures," her friend huffs beside her, nudging her shoulder. "I knew you only came for the cowboys."
"What other reason is there to come?" she hollers back, never once taking her eyes off Trouble.
Trouble clings to the back of the angry bull. One handgripping on tight, the other raised like now he’s enjoying the ride. Each buck and twist has everyone clutching their pearls. Time stretches, each second feeling more like an eternity. He finally drops off the bull, landing with a tuck and roll that brings him to his feet. My heart, which had been hammering in my throat, eases.
“That’s Trouble, folks! Clockin’ in with a jaw-droppin’ ninety-two points! That right there is how you ride a bull!” The announcer booms through the speakers, and the crowd erupts into cheers.
I step up, and spring myself onto the gate. The arena's still buzzing, but I can’t resist tossing a jab at him when I get the chance. "Crowd sounded real disappointed in you," I yell over at Trouble.
He swipes the dirt from his jeans, lips twitching like he's trying not to grin. "Take a look at the scoreboard, darlin'," he drawls. "That’s greatness right there."
One of his unofficial fan club members drapes herself over the gate beside me. It’s Little Miss Hair-Flip herself, the same one who’s been eyeing him like he’s on the dessert menu. “Trouble,” she calls out. "Heard you're having a little after party on your property tonight. Care if we come by?"
He doesn’t respond right away, and that ever-present toothpick that seems to magically appear out of thin air shifts from one corner of his mouth to the other. I wait for his answer, but Charming swoops in, not giving him the chance. "Sounds like a plan," Charming slides an arm around Trouble. “He’ll be waiting. Y'all come on by, now."
Their giggles ripple, high-pitched shrieks of excitement. They jump down and bounce on the balls of their feet before they scamper off.
"Hey, Sawyer, you coming too?" Charming shouts.
Trouble's eyes narrow ever so slightly.
"Yeah, I'm sure Honey will wanna do something," I call back.
"See you there, girl." Charming nods.
"Did you just volunteer me?" Honey pinches my ass, and I jump down off the gate. Her arms are crossed over her chest with a playful grin.
