Page 103 of Stockman's Showdown

But it was Bree that was making him feel things he didn’t normally feel.

She was stunning, like a sunrise on the outback’s horizon, captivating him with her colours that shone from her shiny thick red hair flowing past her shoulders, with her wide smile and green eyes. She wore a simple, strapless denim dress that not only showed off her legs, but accentuated her waist and hips, barely containing her generous cleavage. She was mouth-watering, even with her light and flowy jacket that barely brushed the tops of her sexy tall black boots, and her usual leather witchy sack that she never left the station without. How much gin was in that bag?

But seeing her like this, he had to do something big to show Bree and everyone else that they were together, and fast. But what?

Thirty-six

People were sucking up to Charlie, as Bree hovered beside her grandfather. Those who remembered the time of Jack Price’s murder, and had blamed Harry, had come to apologise.

And so they should!

Bree had known word would get out, where plenty of Charlie’s friends had come to offer their condolences—but not like this. They’d barely made it through the front gate and people were seeking out Charlie, when all she wanted to do was grab a drink and find their seats.

Then she spotted Ryder, being his usual grumpy ass, frowning at her, with Cowboy Craig and Dex on either side. What was Ryder’s problem?

‘Well, if it isn’t my favourite redhead.’ The blond cowboy grinned at her.

‘Hey, Craig.’ As she hugged Craig, Ryder glowered at her. While Dex bobbed his eyebrows up and down at her, glancing at Ryder then back at her.

Aw, man!Ryder had spilled their secret to his brothers.The big mouth.

‘How are you, Charlie?’ Craig shook Charlie’s hand.

‘Good. Better than good. Dying of thirst.’

‘I’ll get you a beer, Pop. You stay with Craig. I’ll be right back.’ She headed for the outdoor bar.

‘You look nice.’ Ryder’s long, easy gait caught up with her in no time to escort her to the outdoor bar.

‘Thank you.’ She nodded at the barmaid as she held up two fingers. She was such a regular she didn’t need to say what she drank.

Ignoring the busy crowd, Ryder stepped in close to her ear to whisper, ‘You look good enough to eat.’

Didn’t that send a wave of heat to flush over her skin? She needed air. Especially when trapped by his eyes slowly crawling over her body with a sort of primal hunger she hadn’t seen before. ‘What’s with you?’

His open palm rubbed slow circles on her lower back. ‘I want to stop hiding.’

‘Listen, cupcake,’ she said, adjusting his collar, and wiping some lint off his broad shoulders. ‘What we do after dark is no one’s business.’

‘But I want to be able to be with you at any time.’

Saved by the barmaid and her beers, she freed herself. Call her crazy, but she enjoyed having power over the big man, who had power over everyone else.

The strange thing was he had power over her, too, and didn’t even know it.

‘I’ve got an idea.’ He grabbed her elbow, stopping her from running away.

‘Hmm…’ She sipped her beer, taking in his shirt that was so well wrapped around his body in a good way, and those jeans.Have mercy! Now that’s how you wear a pair of jeans.

‘You like cowboys.’

‘Why? Do you think I’m getting a little too cowgirl curious or something?’ Cowboys, nah. It was an insult to stockmen. Besides, Ryder knew this.

‘It is a rodeo. And you’ve got Cowboy Craig over there.’

‘So? Charlie’s an ex-rodeo cowboy, too.’ She shrugged, clueless as to where he was going with this. ‘Do you think you’re tough enough to ride a bull?’

He dipped his head, keeping his eyes on her. ‘Yeah, I do.’

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