It’s the only thing to do.
His fingers graze my lower back then hover while Bianca finally dismounts with a decent number on the clock.
One of the Heart brothers jumps on next. Kale, someone cheers. He hoots and hollers and bounces around like he’s ridden the real flesh and blood.
A couple of the brothers are teaching the drag queens how to line dance while Adira holds court in a corner of the barn that’s set up with several games and a picture board of the bride and groom.
I press my palm to my lower belly. “Mmm. Sam said I should take it easy.”
“We’re going to follow doc’s orders then.” He takes my hand and leads me to a table and chair closer to the action. “Sit. I’ll grab you some water.”
I do as he says while he strides to the bar and grabs us drinks. He comes back with two tall glasses with sliced lime and sparkling water.
“You could have had a drink.” I sip mine. Rebel asked him not to, but the agent said to carry on as normal. There’s no reason not to enjoy the party when we’re all together underthe watchful eye of Rook, Jasper, and a whole security team handpicked by Riot’s brothers.
“Candy head, if you’re not drinking, I’m not drinking. That’s all there is to it.” He takes a seat next to me and stretches an arm over the back of my seat as Ivy climbs into the saddle. “Besides, I have smokes with me.”
Ivy is wearing a veil attached to her kitty ears. It’s covered in blue hearts and has been embroidered withFuture Mrs. Love-Maddox. She giggles as the mechanical bull spins and bucks.
“Woohoo. That woman’s going to be my wife,” Rogue yells, clapping loudly. “You’re fucking amazing, baby. Show ‘em how good you can ride.”
Riot winces. “Jesus. He’s going to be messy by the end of the night.”
“I think it’s all show. Ivy’s not drinking either.” Sure, I’d seen her with champagne in hand earlier this afternoon, but I swear she never refilled the glass, and it was never empty. After Summer left to pick up Ro, she stopped bothering with a drink completely. The vibe while we were getting ready was not the same.
Rebel said she doesn’t know about the dead goat, so something else must be weighing on her mind.
She loses her grip and with a shriek flies off onto the foam mats where she collapses into a pile of giggles.
Rogue hurries to help her to her feet. He brushes the hair away from her face, cradling it carefully while he checks her over.
“Who’s next?” The MC calls for another rider.
“They’re cute, aren’t they?” Summer takes a seat next to me as the bride and groom start kissing. “Super sweet.”
“It’s nauseating,” Riot leans around me to say, tongue in cheek.
“Shush, you.” She puts her hand up in his face. “Now, go ride the bull. I’ll keep Kelsey company.”
He covers the hand I forgot to remove from his thigh. “I’m sure there are plenty of people who want to ride.”
“Go.” I reluctantly steal my hand back. “I want to see your moves.”
“For you...” He rises to his feet. “I’ll break out all my moves.”
He pours swagger on each step to the bull, putting on a show for me, though the way the room stamps and wolf whistles, they think it’s for them. He mounts the machine and gets comfortable while he talks to the man in charge.
“So do we officially know now?” Summer asks. “Are we allowed to talk about it? Are we putting the details on social media? Should we expect a cute picture of the two of you to show up on Instagram by the end of the night?”
The machine starts, and Riot turns his black ballcap backward with a smirk.
“Only the family knows.”
Riot leans back, swinging his arms with the rhythm of the bull like Kale did. His hips angle and his muscles flex with each move.
“Could I be the luckiest woman on the planet?” A rock star, my best friend, and the way he moves. I uncross and recross my legs. God, he gives me the best tingles.
But I’m still his secret.
