Page 34 of Destry

The man shook his head again, but he didn’t argue. “Well, hell. Shame to see you out so early.”

Destry just smirked, squeezing my hand before leading me away. I waited until we were clear of the crowd before I tugged him toward me, making him slow down.

“What’s a wild card?”

“Last chance round for the riders that didn’t qualify.”

I frowned. “And you’re not doing it?”

“No.”

I blinked. “Why not?”

He chuckled, glancing around like he couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. “Savvy, you saw that ride. I got thrown before I hit eight seconds. That means I didn’t qualify.”

“But you could still get back in,” I argued, stepping in front of him. “That’s the whole point of the wild card, right?”

Destry tilted his head and his expression was amused but serious underneath. “If I win, it’ll be going all the way. Not through some last-chance effort.”

I studied him, trying to make sense of that. “But if you still have a shot, why not take it?”

“Because I don’t take second chances in the arena. Either I win straight up or I don’t win at all.”

I stared at him, the weight of that settling between us. There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in his voice, no regret and no second-guessing.

Destry Callahan had pride and he wasn’t the type to fight for scraps. It was ego driven, maybe even a little stubborn andreckless, but somehow I understood it. That made me like him even more.

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Destry.

Spending time with Savvy felt natural and right. I wouldn’t say I was okay with not qualifying but she damn sure made it a little easier to adjust and she looked good as hell tonight.

She was in boots, a short denim dress with thin straps that was loose around her body, leaving her shoulders bare. Her brown skin glowed under the fair lights, making it hard for me to keep my hands to myself and my contact respectable.

Her hair was loose and wild, all over her head in a crinkly puff that stopped at her shoulders and she bypassed a hat tonight which made her look softer but just as sexy. That was a problem because I was already fighting the urge to get my hands in it.

With all these people out here, I needed a minute alone. She was enjoying the fair and I didn’t want to end that for her just because I wanted her close. So I settled on an alternative thatwould work for both of us but the second I suggested the Ferris wheel, Savvy’s entire demeanor changed.

She stiffened and her fingers tensed around mine.

“Nope. We’re not doing that.”

I grinned. “Damn, you didn’t even think about it.”

She shook her head, staying planted where she was, like the ground itself was safer just because she was standing on it. “Not happening.”

I stepped in closer. “What’s wrong with the Ferris wheel?”

“It’s high.”

I chuckled, realizing what the problem was. “You scared of heights, Rebel?”

Her jaw tensed and she pointed. “I just don’t like beingthathigh up.”

“That’s the same thing, sexy.”

---