Page 39 of Hooking Up

She threw herself into his arms. When he tugged her onto his lap and gave her a sound kiss, the first hints of arousal hit her system. But before she could act on it, he set her back in her seat.

Carter leaned down and gently depressed her earlobe with his teeth. “We take care of our own, sweetheart. Don’t ever for a minute believe we’re going to walk away from this. You mean too much to us.”

“We don’t want to change a thing about you,” Quint said.

“Except tie you to our bed with your legs spread wide.” Carter’s whisper sent her stomach tipping.

She skimmed her fingers over both stubbled jaws, her heart fuller than she ever believed possible. “Just don’t get too comfy, boys. I might be subdued for now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t take you for a hard run.”

* * * * *

Quint hooked his rope tightly around his hand. The end didn’t feel right, so he adjusted it a split second before the chute opened. The calf made a break for it. Carter shot out, lasso in the air.

When Quint made his own toss, he heard a whoop that brought a grin to his face. Bella cheering them on from the sidelines.

Carter landed his toss around the cow’s ears and they pulled the animal to a stop.

“Damn, that felt good,” he hollered to Carter, who gave him a crooked smile and a nod.

As they trotted out of the arena to wait for their scores, Quint grinned at the sexiest cowgirl climbing the gate. She balanced on the toes of her boots, waving with both hands.

Passing her, Quint hooked his arm around her neck and yanked her over the gate. She plopped into his lap, and the crowd cheered.

Her soft, sweet weight against his cock sent a thrill through him as much as the fact that Jeb Anderson had looked away from the spectacle.

“He doesn’t look too happy,” Quint said to her.

“He can’t lie about sleeping with me anymore,” she said against his ear. Her warm words teased him into a further state of arousal.

“Hey, share.” Carter grabbed her out of Quint’s arms and she squealed as he settled her on his lap. A louder cheer went up.

“Nice show, guys.” Buck Calhoun gave them a chin-nod of congratulations, and Quint figured he referred to more than their great score on the board. Every single man in the arena was probably wondering how they’d managed to get Bella Roberts in their arms.

Bella pushed away from Carter, shot off his horse, landed and on her feet and was immediately swarmed by reporters and fans. Quint and Carter gave a short interview, but they didn’t hold the attention of the people the way Bella did. Everybodywanted to hear about the health of her horse and how she was feeling about missing so many competitions.

She’d been amazing the past month while Josey Wheels recovered from her surgery. The specialist who’d assessed the horse assured Bella that the animal would make a full recovery. It was only a matter of rest and rehabilitation. In the meantime, Bella had been more than supportive of him and Carter. Their own personal cheering section.

Quint gripped Carter’s shoulder. “It’s time.”

Carter shot a glance toward Bella. Seeing she was still surrounded, he nodded. They led their horses out and passed them off to a trainer who would rub them down and treat them for their good rides.

“Here’s the little beauty. Looking great.” A cute little cowgirl with a spring in her step led another horse toward Quint. Bella’s mare stood with her head proudly tossed back, as strong as the woman who owned her.

“You’re a sight for sure.” Quint rubbed Josey Wheels’ long neck as Carter took the lead. The animal’s leg was bound but with a colorful wrapping and ribbons curled from her tail. Despite her injury, her gait was elegant and sure.

“Think Bella suspects our surprise?” Carter asked him.

“Not a chance.” Quint clicked his tongue, and the mare followed. As soon as they broke back into the public eye with the animal, the crowd went nuts. Bella looked up from signing an autograph. Her cheeks were pink and her hat tipped back enough for them to see the lights dancing in her eyes.

Shock stole over her features.

Then her face crumpled and she ran at them. Josey Wheels pawed the earth and whinnied as Bella reached her and threw her arms around the horse’s neck. Next to him, Carter sniffedloudly, and Quint couldn’t deny the moisture around the edges of his eyes.

She dragged a sobbing breath in and turned to both of them. “You guys…you couldn’t have given me any better gift. Thank you!” She hurled herself at them, and they caught her between them.

As Quint flexed his arms around both of his lovers, he’d never felt so happy with the state of his life. Even if he and Carter’s winning streak went south, they had other reasons for their joy. The risks they’d taken had panned out plus added a bonus or two.

Carter captured Bella in a sound kiss while Quint looped his hand around Carter’s nape and drew him in.

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