Page 2 of Rough Ride

“Shit.”

I scrambled to pick up all the fliers, and suddenly the two men were on their hands and knees helping me. I muttered an apology, more embarrassed than anything.

“No worries, darlin’,” said the brunette. I would’ve told him that I wasn’t hisdarlin’, but his face was warm and inviting, with brown eyes that showed a genuine kindness and lifetime of laughter. His strong jawline was covered in a bit of stubble, and his wide, easy smile made him seem like the kind of guy who always seemed ready to lend a hand or tell a joke.

The blond man extended a hand to help me up, which I took without thought. He was so beautiful I couldn’tnotaccept his help. He had sun-kissed, golden-blond hair that fell just short of his shoulders, and piercing blue eyes. From his square jaw to his chiseled cheekbones, he exuded that quintessential all-American charm that most cowboys tried to emulate. Except with him, it seemed genuine.

And the one thing that stuck out the most about him? He had maintained polite eye contact the entire time. Same for the guy he was arguing with. Neither of them had ogled me like everyone else tonight.

“Sorry we were raising our voices,” he said in the smoothest, sexiest Texas accent I’d ever heard. “Wouldn’t have done that in front of a lady.”

Liz cleared her throat behind me.

“Sorry.Ladies.” He tipped his hat.

“It’s okay,” I said, feeling flustered. “We’re handing out fliers for—”

“Ma’am,” the blond suddenly said with grave seriousness. “Forgive me for interrupting, but you have the most striking eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re bluer than a summer sky.”

The unexpected compliment, delivered in that irresistible accent, caused a thousand butterflies to take flight in my stomach. “Thanks.” His eyes were just as blue, but I didn’t know how to say so. I certainly couldn’t match the compliment he’d given.

“Please ignore Johnny’s nauseating way of flirting,” the brunette said. He removed his brown cowboy hat with a flourish and gave me a deep bow. “I’m Elijah, but I hope you’ll call me Eli. Unlike Johnny, I won’t bore you with frivolous compliments. Words can’t possibly describe your beauty.”

And then he took hold of my wrist and kissed the back of my hand, like a Victorian gentleman. Another excited shiver ran through my body.

“I’d love to buy you a drink,” Eli added.

That knocked me out of my stupor, and I fell back on the lines I had been repeating to all the other cowboys tonight. “Come on down to Billy Bob’s and I’ll serve you one. Tap beer is half off until midnight, seven days a week.”

He accepted the flier without releasing my gaze. “Wouldn’t miss it, darlin’.”

“See you there, Sky Eyes,” the blond man—Johnny—said with a tip of his tan cowboy hat.

As soon as we were a few feet away, I heard Eli say, “Intermission is over. As I was saying, your trailer is parked over the line.”

“By only seven inches!” Johnny replied.

“Buddy,” Eli chuckled, “I know all about seven inches. You’re over the line by afoot.”

Their argument trailed off as we walked away.

“Sky eyes,” I muttered. “That might be the cheesiest thing anyone has ever called me.”

“I thought it was cute!” Liz replied. “Also, those two couldn’t keep their eyes off you the entire time.”

“They weren’t ogling me,” I argued. “They were actually very polite.”

“That’s what I mean! Their gaze was locked onto your face the entire time! That’s how you know they really like you, and not just because your tits are out. Did you see Johnny’s biceps? Those veins were practically popping off the skin! And don’t get me started on the one who kissed your hand.”

“You’re married!” I reminded her.

“I’m not looking for me! I’m looking foryou. You’ve been single for what, three months?”

“I don’t date rodeo guys.”

“Who’s talking about dating? I’m saying you should ride them like a mechanical bull.”

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t want to do that either. These cowboys always come into town, thinking their hot stuff, and then they go home when the rodeo is over.”

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