Page 35 of Saving Jared

And just as that sure realization struck him, her body bowed into his with a low moan. Her channel squeezed him tight, sending him soaring with her into completion.

Moments later, they lay entwined while his heart slowed to its normal rate and a slight breeze blew over their glistening flesh. And while he should have let her go, he couldn’t.

Because if he had his way, he would be holding her close…

Forever.

* * *

Pounding music from inside the arena grew louder the closer Jared got to the cowboy entrance, the steady beat vibrating down the corridor he took leading inside. Then once he stepped onto the loose, brown loam 300 by 125-foot arena floor busy with last-minute activity, it hit him full force while changing from the rocking "Livin’ on a Pray" to the upbeat, country "Boot Scootin’ Boogie."

"Afternoon, Mr. McComb."

Jared smiled and nodded at one of the young ranch hands passing by. "Looking good in here Davey."

He smiled.

It had only been ten years, but this facility had ended up being one of the best investments the family had made—in more ways than one. Putting on an annual rodeo during their tourist season’s last week had become a huge draw for the Big M Ranch Experience, sure, but it had more than paid for itself with the rentals they booked throughout the rest of the year from various organizations.

He fisted his hands on his hips and let his gaze take in the banners and flags hanging from the rafters, then down to the large signs advertising local businesses decorating the walls above the empty gates and chutes. His gaze skipped over to the other side of the building. In less than two hours, the 600-seat bleachers spanning that side of the area would be packed with ranch guests and locals cheering on their favorite roughstock and timed event competitors.

Jude had managed to get plenty of entrants for just about any rodeo competition you could think of. They had everyone from team and tie-down ropers, heelers, and steer wrestlers, to bareback and saddle bronc riders, barrel racers, women’s breakaway competitors, and, of course, the best bull riders in the state competing in the main event. For a small rodeo, the sold-out, two-hour event promised to be an exciting evening.

Willa would be here too.

He’d reluctantly left her at his home and had ridden here on horseback. It had made him feel alive to have the wind in his face, along with the familiar, comfortable sensation of becoming one with Chaz as they’d galloped across the field. Almost as alive as being with the woman he had come to realize he needed as his own.

"Okay, Tom," Harlan Matthews, the rodeo coordinator yelled out. "Get that chute gate secured. And you. Yes you. Put that cigarette out and get to workin’."

Jared grinned at the salty seventy-year-old as he noted the number of entrants milling about. He recognized most of them from previous rodeos as he headed toward the stables and answered the waves he received with one of his own.

"I saw Eric Taggert’s competing."

Jared paused just inside the stable door, then snickered at the man’s put out tone as he complained, "The damned SOB wins the bull riding competition almost every time he’s here. I don’t stand a chance against him."

It was true.

Compared to most other riders, Eric was taller and bulkier. But the man had talent and could have made a career with the rodeo if he’d chosen to do so. But he’d said he’d had other responsibilities that needed to come first.

It had to be another one of those sacrifices Willa had alluded to that morning.

Jared was just about to move on when a second man’s comment froze him in place.

"So, Willa will probably be here too. She didn’t tell me that when I was with her today."

"You and Willa Taggert? I know you work with her. But come on, Cord. I know you may have screwed half the county, but don’t shit a shitter. I don’t see her brothers letting you anywhere near her. Word is, they keep her protected from the likes of you."

“I’m telling you, Marty,” Cord said with a short laugh. "She’s not as innocent as she’s lead everyone to believe. Do you think that calendar was the first time she’s shown off that purple tattoo?" A section of Jared’s heart hardened. "I have to tell you, the scent of hyacinth has nothing on how those sweet those little flowers taste on that dark, smooth as silk tit of hers. Mmm… She is one tasty piece of ass.”

“So, you’ve really had some of that?” the first man said in awe, while Jared’s fists clenched and his heart nearly burst out of his chest with the need to deck this Cord character.

“Oh, yeah. Just had me some today, in fact. Gotta love those firehouse quickies. I know she does. I even called her in special for the one this morning.”

Denial rose from deep inside Jared while the laughter from the two men followed after him as he stalked away. Nothing registered until he’d made it outside the back of the stables, his chest heaving as he breathed in deeply trying to still his rage and sense of betrayal.

It nearly brought him to his knees.

"It can’t be," he growled out as he turned and pressed his fists into the outside wall and hung his head. His eyes stung and his heart ached. It hadn’t been an hour since she’d told him he was the only one. He shook his head, hoping to loosen the tendrils of doubt winding around and through him. But he couldn’t. They’d firmly taken root.

Because while he had fallen love…

Willa had lied.

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