His eyes were clear under the brim of his hat as I nodded in return.
‘As long as I don’t get tackled by buckle bunnies for stealing Jackson’s star bull rider,’ I replied, smiling as he chuckled.
‘I’d like to see them try,’ he smirked as I side-eyed him. ‘With those nails and that mouth, ain’t no one round here that’d stand a damn chance.’
‘Hey, Chrissy,’ he said as we entered, raising his hand to a petite blonde with a Molly’s T-shirt tucked into her tiny denim shorts.
She waved back, shooting me a curious glance before gesturing towards the one free booth near the back.
‘Friend of yours?’ I asked as we headed over to it, looking back to see her talking to two other women behind the counter. Their gazes lifted to meet mine as I shifted focus back to Jesse.
‘Kinda,’ he said, then after a half-beat added, ‘An ex, actually. Reformed bunny.’
I raised my eyebrows as we slid into the burgundy leather seats, sitting opposite each other.
‘How far am I from your usual type?’ I asked, trying to keep my voice casual, but judging by his deep chuckle, failing spectacularly.
‘Are you jealous, Jessica?’ he teased, moving my legs between his under the table, squeezing them with his knees.
I shrugged, grabbing the menu and starting to read.
‘Damn. You arecutewhen you’re jealous,’ he mused, grinning as I dead-eyed him back.
‘Long time no see, cowboy!’
We glanced up as Chrissy appeared next to the table, her smile as big as her considerable rack. Her voice was bubblegum sweet and her substantial lips were glossed with sparkling pink.
‘Oh hey,’ Jesse said, smiling. ‘Thanks for holding the table, I figured it’d be crazy on rodeo Saturday.’
‘Right,’ she agreed, her smile fading slightly as her eyes flicked over to me. ‘Are you visiting for the rodeo?’
I turned to her fully, sweeping my hair back as I raised my Ray-Bans. Her eyes fell on my tats, the way the twining flowers at the bottom of the Sleepy Hollow scene descended under the neckline of my top.
‘No, actually,’ I replied, feeling Jesse’s eyes on my face. ‘I’m here for the bull rider.’
I gave her a slow smile, enjoying the surprise that now lit her expression as she glanced at him, struggling to recover. Jesse glanced down, amusement radiating.
‘Well . . . that’s . . . can I get you both started? Some coffee?’ she started, then with a glance at me, ‘Or tea?’
‘Black coffee, thanks,’ I replied, waiting for Jesse to order before reaching across the table to put my hand on his. ‘Choose for me on the food? I’ll have whatever you have.’
It was petty, I knew it was, but I couldn’t deny the satisfaction as she glanced down at our hands together.
‘You’re just here for the bull rider, huh?’ he teased as she left, shaking his head. ‘You enjoyed that, didn’t you?’
‘Not as much as last night,’ I shrugged, leaning forward over the table, watching as his eyes drifted south to the buttons that strained on my tank top. ‘Just wanted to make things clear to her.’
‘Does that mean you’re gonna be okay with the bull rider entering the rodeo tonight?’ he asked, his eyes pinched despite his smile.
Immediately I was back in the stands at the last rodeo, watching helplessly as he was tossed around, horns and hooves just inches from his face. I must have known then just what he meant to me, even if I couldn’t admit it to myself at the time.
‘If I can go to a wedding, I can stand a rodeo,’ I said, knowing I wasn’t convincing either of us.
‘I won’t do anything stupid,’ he urged, his eyes pleading. ‘I swear. But a couple more wins and I’m gonna be in line for some serious prize money, you know? It’ll take a huge weight off of Mom’s shoulders.’
I nodded as the coffee arrived.
‘At least a bull ride is just eight seconds, right?’ I said as he nodded.
