Page 14 of Ride Me

The rest of the room erupts too. But Danner remains straightfaced.

“Oh shit, that was a good one.” Geoffrey doubles over in laughter.

The guys clap each other on the back and I can’t resist patting Danner’s shoulder. It isn’t easy being an outsider in this group. I hope he finds his way.

Callum smirks. “I think we’ve got it, thank you, Danner.”

Bowen steps forward with a sly grin on his face. "Okay, I’ll go.”

I step outside of the door and watch Bowen in his element. He turns on every ounce of his charm as he takes his place at the front of the room with a microphone.

He starts, “Go Knights!”

It’s simple enough, but it works. The team breaks into a cheering that fills the room. Bowen steps forward, his grin slow and knowing. The man is incredible.

“We’ve loved having you here with us tonight,” he says, his voice smooth and confident. “And we’ve been keeping this under wraps until we figured out whether or not we actually liked you.” He pauses just long enough to let the weight of his words settle. “But now that we see you’re one hell of a team, we’re ready to let you in on a little secret.”

His eyes flick over the group, gauging reactions and stretching the suspense. Then, with a smirk, he delivers the hook. “There’s something going on up at the barn. It’s a special event and there are free drinks all night long.” His voice drops, teasing, daring. “There’s just one rule. You’ve got to come up now. No showers. No sleep. Just every kind of alcohol you can imagine… on the house. Whose in?”

The room hums with a new energy as whoops of agreement spread across the room. Curiosity sparks in glances exchanged. Bowen’s grin widens. I catch the genius in his invitation. It isn’t just an offer it’s a challenge and every single person in the room is ready to accept.

The problem is solved.

An hour later, the night unravels into an alcohol-fueled blur. It’s wild, unfiltered, and buzzing with reckless energy. Music pulses through the barn. It’s a thumping heartbeat that keeps the bodies moving, spinning, and colliding.

Laughter spills out over the edges and mingles with the clink of glasses. The night is punctuated by the occasional whoop from someone who’s had one shot too many.

The barn is packed. Word spreads fast in Sagebrush Creek, and tonight, we’re finally using that fact to our advantage. Locals pour in, eager and wide-eyed. They can hardly believe their luck at scoring a last-minute invite.

The barn’s floorboards creak under the weight of the growing crowd. The air grows thick with heat, spilled liquor, and the kind of electric energy that only comes from a night with no rules.

As the hours slip by, even I can’t resist the pull. Bowen pours me one drink and then another. The burn is smooth and the buzz is welcome. I’m not drunk by any means, but the alcohol makes it easy to ignore the random phrases Gunner insists on sending in my direction.

Let’s try this again, he’s a fucking cowboy, are you serious,andyour loss,seem to be among his favorites.

The issue resolves itself when two local girls drape themselves over Gunner, giggling and vying for his attention. He meets my gaze just as they settle onto his lap. He holds eye contact with me while they take turns pressing kisses along his neck. Their lipstick smudges against his skin like careless signatures.

But the sight does nothing to me. There isn’t an ounce of jealousy in me. No pang of regret… Facts that help me breathe a little deeper. If anything, the only instinct that stirs is the urge to tell them to run before it’s too late. Gunner has always been a storm, and storms don’t love… they destroy.

Through the night, Bowen never strays from my side. His presence is steady and grounding. Even as the room tilts with alcohol and unspoken promises, I cling to him.

In the back of my mind I try to summon all the reasons I once told myself falling for him would be a mistake. I search for the doubts. The hesitations. But they slip through my fingers like smoke. Maybe it’s the whiskey or maybe it’s the way Bowen’s gaze stays locked on me, as if I’m the only thing worth seeing.

So I stop overthinking. I stop worrying about what happens when this night ends and when reality comes knocking. Instead, I lean into the moment and let it carry me.

I look at Bowen like he hung the moon… because maybe he did. Maybe this night will be the one I compare every other night to for the rest of my life. And if that’s the case, I’m sure as hell going to make the most of it.

Bowen and I dance, spinning until the barn blurs around us. We drink. We laugh between stolen sips. And we kiss… again and again. We kiss until my lips tingle and until I forget where I end and he begins.

By the time Bowen steps outside to meet with Alex, I’m practically floating. I take the opportunity to head down to the suites and check on the water situation for myself.

CHAPTER 9

BOWEN

It takesme a half hour to find her wandering over by the suites. I hate every single minute of not knowing where she is.

“What are you doing out here?”

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