I turn to her, pursing my lips as I wait for her to continue.
The announcer interrupts, “You’ve all seen this cowboy ride a time or two by now. He’s bold, and he doesn’t like to lose. I guess when you grow up on one of the biggest ranches in Texas with all the crazy older brothers he has, it’s in your blood.”
My heart gallops like it’s going to explode right out of my chest. I grip the fence, wondering why the hell I care if he dies.
He’s such a good kisser. It would be a shame for all the women who haven’t gotten to experience it. Which is probably not very many, considering his man-whoring ways.
Jo points out where Duke is climbing onto the back of a pale gray bull. He’s not even wearing a helmet. The Stetson he has on is the same one I accidentally stole, and other than that, he’s shirtless.
What is with this guy and not wearing a shirt?
“Why is he half naked?” I ask.
“He’s always done it that way. I think it was Cash who dared him to do it one time. It’s his signature thing now. The women go crazy for it.”
Yeah, I’ll bet they do.
I can already hear them screaming his name to the left. It’s a large group of girls who look like they’re in their early twenties, every single one of them drop-dead gorgeous.
I’m sure he’ll have his pick of the litter before the night ends.
Just another reminder that I need to stay far away. I don’t have any extra emotional energy to spare right now.
I watch a dark-haired girl stand on the fence and cup around her mouth to scream at him, “Duke! I love you, baby! You’re my dream man!”
“Wow.”
Jo rolls her eyes. “Desperation is never attractive.”
Duke isn’t paying attention to his fan club as he settles on the back of the bull. I gulp down over the bundle of nerves trapped in my throat when the buzzer sounds and the gate opens.
The bull stands still, silencing the crowd. Duke’s muscles are taut, his head turned down.
Suddenly, the animal takes off, jerking toward the arena so fast that I can’t fathom how he could possibly be holding on. I clap my hand over my mouth and gape in horror at the scene.
The bull spins around in a circle before throwing his back end so high up that I can’t figure out how Duke managesto stay on.
I think I might pass out. There’s no way it hasn’t been eight seconds.
Every muscle in his arms, shoulders, and abs are coiled so tight that he looks like he’s been Photoshopped.
The image of the last rider being dragged and nearly trampled enters my mind. Nausea swirls in my gut, and I think I might actually vomit when Duke loses his balance and his body falls to the right.
I gasp, leaning forward. He somehow rights himself and pulls back up. He’s closer to us now, and I know his time has to be up. A buzzer sounds, and I want to scream at him to get off and away from the terrifying monster.
He tries to jump off, but the bull jerks, and he stumbles to the ground, his body hitting it hard as he rolls through the dirt. My mind is in a daze as I watch the bull’s hooves nearly trample him.
Please, God, protect him!
I don’t even remember the last time I prayed, but now feels like the time for holy intervention. Duke keeps rolling until he’s nearly at the fence right in front of me. I back up as the bull sees him, clearly planning to charge. Duke’s eyes meet mine briefly, flashing in surprise.
I point behind him, screaming, “Look out!”
The horseback riders cut in front of the angry bull just in time. Duke jumps up, grabbing the fence and pulling himself up on the bottom ring. His hat has flown off. The horse’s body brushes past him as the rider distracts the bull by yelling.
My hand is pressed against my chest, my eyes buggingout of my head. I’m panting, wondering if I’m about to have a full-on heart attack.
Duke steps down from the fence, watching the bull until he’s on the other end of the arena before his blue eyes find mine.
