Page 19 of Destry

Colt grinned. “You know you’re just here to make my win look better.”

I chuckled. “I’m just here to ride a bull.”

“That has always been your problem. You’re here to ride, I’m here to win.”

“Riding is winning but you already know that.”

His smug ass attitude dropped before he walked off.

An hour later, the arena was packed. The crowd was loud and restless. The sound of boots hitting the metal bleachers relaxed me, oddly enough. That shit kept me grounded. These people came to see a show and I was about to give them one.

I climbed up onto the chute, settling onto Devil’s Chance, rolling my neck as I adjusted my grip. The bull snorted beneath me and I could feel his muscles twitching and body coiled tight.

I pulled my hat lower, squeezed the rope and grounded myself.

All I had to do was stay in control.

Jace leaned over the fence. “You ready?”

I nodded once and he motioned to the wranglers that it was time. They watched the clock until the signal hit and the gate swung open. The damn bull shot out hard with his back legs kicking up high. I moved with him, keeping my grip firm, and let my body roll into the motion instead of fighting it.

Two seconds.

He jerked left and twisted hard to the right. I anticipated it, shifting just in time to stay ahead of him.

Four seconds.

I felt his power beneath me, wild but contained. I had him.

Six seconds.

The bull twisted again, kicking high, trying to shake me loose. This muthafucker was mad as hell. The crowd was on their feet but the sound of them blended into the rush of the ride.

Eight seconds.

The buzzer sounded, and I let go, throwing myself clear just as Devil’s Chance bucked again.

I hit the ground hard and rolled once before pushing to my feet, my chest heaving and adrenaline pushing through my veins.

The crowd erupted, cheers and whistles crashed over me but I barely heard them.

I didn’t ride for the crowd and most days not even the buckle. I rode because I loved the fight. It was a gotdamn adrenaline rush.

Jace was grinning at the fence, shaking his head. “You did that shit, bruh.”

“You act like you didn’t think I would.”

The scoreboard lit up, flashing my name and points, keeping me in the top five. I barely had time to let it sink in before my eyes went back to the stands, searching again. Still no sign of Savvy.

I shook off the lingering frustration then grinned because why the fuck was I still stuck on this woman.

One ride down.

Now, I could focus on finding her. I had already put my ride behind me. First round was locked in so I went to find my next adrenaline rush. I spotted Savvy near the stables carrying a saddle across the grounds. Her shoulders were tight and her expression was strained like she was trying to do too much at once.

I grinned.

Time to slow her ass down. I cut across the dirt path, stepping into her space just as she was about to pass. She stopped abruptly, barely avoiding the collision.

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