Page 40 of The Undercover Cowboy

He gave her a grim nod.

“You better stay on him,” Dolly said.

“I plan to.” Finn adjusted his gear as he prepared for his ride.

“I hope so.” Dolly set her camera up so she could record the eight seconds of action. She didn’t want to imagine what the social media trolls would have to say about a failed ride on a bull with that name.

Windbreaker blew him away.

Talk about a gas-tastrophe!

Looks like Finn underestimated Windbreaker’s fartistry.

“So, you want to tell me why you rushed out here like your ass was on fire?” Nash asked quietly as they made their way to the VIP spectator section.

“I told you…”

“And you were lying,” he said grimly.

Shit. He could see her bullshit.

“And you still don’t trust me even after…” He broke off. “I thought things would be different, if we acted on our feelings, but I guess not.”

“It’s complicated,” she said.

“No, it’s just easier to keep secrets.”

Dolly slowly nodded.

“Does this have anything to do with Blevins?”

“No.” She scowled at him. “How can you say that?”

“Maybe I don’t trust you either.”

Dolly closed her eyes, surprised at how much that hurt. It was worse because she deserved it. “I’m sorry.” She should tell him. She should lay it all out on the line and if he judged her for it, then she could just walk away and not have to worry about getting her heart broken.

Instead, she busied herself getting ready for the shot. Work soothed her. She was good at it. This relationship stuff? She sucked at it.

“When I catch Blevins and this is all over, I’m going to leave.”

Dolly didn’t want him to go.

“Unless you give me a reason to stay.”

“I need a little more time.”

“Why?”

“Because this isn’t easy for me. Trusting men. Relying on someone. Because my livelihood is at stake and I’m scared.”

For a moment, Dolly thought Nash would turn away and leave her. It was what she deserved after all. But he surprised her. He had a way of doing that. He rubbed a circle on her back. “Okay. We’ve waited a year to be together. What’s a little longer?”

Her throat tightened and tears threatened. That was crazy in itself. She never cried. “Okay,” she whispered.

Then, the gate swung open, and Windbreaker burst out into the arena, kicking up dust and snorting loudly. Dolly easedinto work mode and it settled her. Finn’s form was tight and controlled as he rode out the first few seconds of the bull’s wild bucking. The crowd cheered, urging him on as he countered each of Windbreaker’s erratic movements. Windbreaker spun and twisted in an attempt to dislodge Finn from his back. But Finn was unyielding, his focus unwavering even as the bull’s movements grew more violent. Windbreaker was a force of nature determined to throw him off. Yet, Finn handled his every move. Dust swirled around them, adding to the electrifying atmosphere of the moment, but really fudging up her shot. She’d have to see about editing that back a bit.

As Windbreaker made one final attempt to unseat Finn with a powerful buck, Finn leaned into the motion, his body fluid and responsive. Finn not only stayed on, but managed to ride out the full eight seconds.

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