Page 10 of Ride Me

“Gross,” Connor declares with a shrug, and I can’t help but laugh.

I glance at Connor, who’s moved on with the easy resilience of a child, and think of his father—the mayor of Sagebrush Creek, Randolph Bellcourt. Connor seems to have inherited none of his father’s stiff, awkward presence. Instead, he’s all charm. He’s a burst of laughter and life that lights up every room he enters.

Somehow, I make it through the morning without a single sighting of Gunner Thompson. Despite the lingering tension in the air, the trail ride passes without incident, and everyone on staff pulls out all the stops to ensure everything runs smoothly.

The ranch feels alive with energy, a seamless blend of activity and anticipation that helps me push Gunner from my thoughts, at least for now.

By late afternoon, the excitement has reached a fever pitch as the Southern Knights football team squares off against the Kingridge brothers for a friendly calf roping competition.

I walk out after it’s started. The air is charged with competitive spirit, laughter, and the low hum of country music drifting from nearby speakers. The setting sun casts a golden glow over the arena.

As I get into earshot, Callum walks the group through the rules and explains roping strategies with easy confidence. His voice carries across the arena. “Alright, gentlemen. Time to see if all that muscle translates to cowboy shit. Let’s see who’s got what it takes to rope like a pro.”

The football players exchange playful jabs, adjusting their hats and rolling their shoulders as they square up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Bowen and the other Kingridge brothersstand off to the side, watching with practiced ease. There’s a calm confidence about them, but it isn’t without bravado.

I had no idea that so much ego could fit in one arena.The thought makes me laugh.

Then I feel it. A distinct prickling of awareness makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I can sense Gunner’s eyes on me before I even see him. My pulse quickens, and when I finally meet his gaze, he is ready.

Gunner flashes me a confident grin that sends a ripple of irritation through me. I force myself to respond with a tight-lipped smile but the man doesn’t even deserve that much.

Never one to let an opportunity for a spectacle slip by, Gunner lifts his sleeve, flexes his bicep, and plants a kiss on the bulging muscle. He completes the delivery with a wink in my direction. His expression is full of smug self-satisfaction. The gesture turns my stomach.

If there was any question as to why the Southern Knights are here of all places, Gunner’s ridiculous display solves the mystery. He’s here to show off and to make sure I don’t forget that he holds all the power. Now that his girlfriend is gone, he’s ready for me to pick up the pieces.

There’s no way in hell.

I shift my focus back to Bowen and lean into the giddiness that flutters up inside of me. He stands tall and steady with an easy confidence that Gunner will never possess.

As the first calf bolts from the chute, the competition kicks off with a roar of cheers and applause. It dawns on me that every single woman in Sagebrush Creek is probably here… And that’s fair. There’s a lot of mouthwatering dudes wandering around. But none quite as charming as Bowen.

Lariats spin through the air, boots stomp in the dust, and the arena is filled with the thrill of competition. The linebetween athlete and cowboy blurs as both teams give it their all, determined to outdo each other in skill, speed, and sheer grit.

Pa Kingridge appears beside me with Danner. Seeing the two of them next to each other makes it impossible to not believe the gossip. Danner looks just like the other Kingridge boys. Sure the accent is missing and there isn’t an ounce of Southern charm… But the genes are undeniable.

The guys haven’t exactly been welcoming to Danner, but Pa isn’t helping. Both Pa and Danner are insisting that Danner has come on board because of an interest in conservation and organic farming. The story has holes all over it, but I’m certainly not going to be the one to connect the dots.

“Hey,” I give them a wave.

“Hi,” Danner says. “First time watching calf roping. I’m ready to see what it’s all about.”

“Me too actually. It’s been interesting so far,” I let out a chuckle.

“Priya, girl, I’ve got a hundred big ones that say my boys take them players right down. Ain’t no chance of them Kingridge boys being beat on home turf.”

The old man smiles as he pulls a bill out of his pocket. “Pa, you know that’s a bet I can’t take. I’d never bet against Bowen, not in any arena.”

Pa lets out a laugh. “I’m gonna go find that little Connor. He’ll take the bet so long as his mama doesn’t hear me. She’ll get my goat for teaching him to gamble.”

“Wow,” Danner mumbles as much to himself as to me or Pa. “I feel so bad for the calf. How is PETA not out here? This is crazy.”

An hour in and I’m swept up in the spectacle of competition all along with everyone else. I take in the sight of Bowen’s broad shoulders as he steps up to take his turn. I watch the confident way he handles the rope and feel the warmth spread throughmy chest as he glances my way before he launches into action. A very specific image of Bowen using that rope on me in a bedroom flashes in my mind… I don’t hate it.

As the competition wraps up, Bowen makes his way toward me and I rush to meet him. But to my horror, Gunner stops him. The two men face each other and whatever words are exchanged between them don’t look friendly. It puts me on edge and I approach them with caution.

“There she is,” Bowen takes a step toward me and plants a kiss on my forehead. He takes my hand in his and positions his body between Gunner and me.

Gunner cuts his eyes at Bowen, less than impressed. Then turns his attention to me. “We need to talk.”

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