Page 18 of Destry

The air between us thickened and his gaze dropped to my lips then lifted back to my eyes. Before I could process what was happening, he leaned in and kissed me.

Not soft. Not tentative. Deep. Certain. Completely in control of the kiss and me and fuck…

His lips moved over mine, slow and thorough, pulling me under and I didn’t stand a chance. I felt it everywhere. In my chest, my stomach, my toes curling in my boots. His hand lifted and his fingers skimmed the line of my jaw, keeping me exactly where he wanted me. I kissed him back.

For a few long, dizzying seconds, I let myself sink into him, into the warmth of his body and the steady demand of his touch. By the time he pulled away, I was breathless and my heart hammered against my ribs.

Destry’s eyes were dark with satisfaction and an arrogance I felt just as strongly as that damn kiss.

“Drive safe, Savvy,” he murmured.

Then he tipped his hat, turned, and walked away, leaving me standing there, still trying to catch my breath.

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Destry.

The sun was barely up when I pulled into the fairgrounds. The place was already chaotic as hell. Riders getting ready, bulls being led to the pens, and dust coating everything.

I climbed out of my truck, adjusting my hat, and stretched to shake off the stiffness from last night. My clothes were the same as always, jeans broken in just right, boots scuffed, but today my button-up rocked the patches of my sponsors.

I scanned the grounds, looking for Savvy before I could even stop myself because she was already a habit, one I didn’t want to break. She wasn’t anywhere to be found but I wasn’t surprised, she was one of the few who took this job seriously. I had a bull to ride, but I still found myself checking the stables and the tack room as I moved through the place.

That damn kiss had fucked up my focus and I wasn’t even mad about it. The best part was she hadn’t pushed me away orcussed me out. She let herself be in the moment just for a second and that was enough to let me know I wanted more.

I pushed the thought away, shaking my head. I needed to get my mind right and make it through this first round. I found Jace near the chutes, already talking to one of the wranglers. He looked up when he saw me, tipping his hat back looking amused as hell.

“You look a little too relaxed for a man who’s about to tempt fate.”

I shrugged. “It’s just another ride.”

He snorted. “Tell that to that bull you’re about to be on.”

I didn’t answer.

Jace studied me for a second, then laughed. “You’re up second, riding Devil’s Chance.”

I nodded. Devil’s Chance was mean but not the worst in the lineup. He had a nasty habit twisting and ramming shit but I’d seen his pattern before. Nothing I couldn’t handle.

Jace left me alone, knowing my process. I didn’t want to talk.

“I’ll make sure everything’s set up. Try to stay from up under that damn bull when you land.”

“I don’t wanna fuck up this pretty face so I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jace laughed and walked off, leaving me to get in the zone.

I had just finished adjusting my glove when I heard someone approaching.

Colt Westin.

Cocky ass muthafucker was headed my way. We had been trading wins for years. It was the kind of rivalry that kept things interesting. He liked to act like he already had the buckle in his hands before the first ride even started.

He stopped in front of me with his arms crossed. “Still riding in my shadow?”

I was unbothered. “Your perception is skewed as fuck?”

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