Page 48 of A Cowboy Of Her Own

“Roark’s getting on the bull. You’ll need to get up there if you want to get some pictures.” He took her hand and led her to the rail then nodded for her to climb up. As she watched, Roark lowered himself onto the back of the bull. When it tried to rear up, she gasped. The bull settled down and Roark scooted forward, wrapping the rope around his gloved hand then he tugged his black hat down low, and gave a terse nod.

Taking a deep breath, Priscilla raised her camera and held the shutter button down as the bull leftthe chute and tried everything he could to toss Roark off by twisting to the right then quickly to the left. Seconds ticked by like hours. When the buzzer rang, she let out a relieved breath but held it again in fear when she watched Roark run for the rails while the bull chased him. Roark climbed up and over the rail then jumped down on the other side. She ran to where he was. Her heart gave a jump when he grinned at seeing her then hugged her when she reached him.

“Did you get some good shots?”

“Yes, but that was scary.”

“How about a picture of us—together?”

“I’d love it, but how?”

Roark looked around. “Devin,” he called out to his cousin and Devin came over to them. “Will you take a picture of us?”

Devin looked surprised but nodded. Priscilla handed him the camera and showed him how to work it then she went back to Roark and stood beside him. They looked at each other, smiled, then looked at the camera, and waited for Devin to snap the picture. He did, and then handed her back the camera, mumbled something to Roark, and walked away.

“What did he say to you?”

Roark stared into her eyes. “He said I was in big trouble.”

She smiled. “You’re not the only one.”

“Let’s get out of here.”

“I’d love to.”

****

Roark took her hand and together, they walked out of the arena to head for his truck. When she reached for the door handle, he stepped up behindher, pushed her hair aside, placed his lips against the back of her neck, and nipped it with his teeth. She shivered, making him chuckle.

“Something funny, Callahan?”

He chuckled again, moved her T-shirt aside, and moved his lips across her shoulder then back to her neck where he opened his mouth and sucked on her soft skin. Priscilla moaned making him grin.

Roark spun her around, pushed her back against the truck, and pressed his lips to hers. Forcing them apart with his tongue, he moved it into her mouth to tangle with hers. He raised his lips from hers and put his forehead against hers.

“You drive me crazy, Priscilla.”

“You do the same to me, Roark.”

Blowing out a breath and stepping back, he opened the door and motioned for her to get in. After she climbed in, he walked around the truck, opened his door, and then climbed in. He started the truck without looking at her and drove them home. They would eventually have to talk about what was said back there at the arena. Did that mean she has feelings for him? He certainly had them for her. They needed to talk about their feelings for each other.

She might have said he drives her crazy but did that mean she loved him like he loved her. And he was positive now—he did. He loved her more than he ever thought it possible to love someone.

Once home, he parked the truck and after shutting down the engine, he wrapped his hands around the steering wheel until they ached. Staring straight ahead, he didn’t know what he could say to make her stay and he wanted her to stay with him. For the rest of his life.

“Roark?”

He glanced over at her then straight ahead again, and shook his head. He needed a moment to clear his head.

“Priscilla, I... go on inside. I want to check the horses then I’ll be in,” he said then opened his door and stepped out. He waited and watched as she entered the house then he strode to the barn and flipped the lights on. Walking down the aisle, he stopped at Apache’s stall.

“Hey boy,” he said when the horse stuck his head over the gate and butted his big head against Roark’s chest. “I’ve been on the meanest bulls ever but none of them scared me as much as this does. I want to tell her I want her to stay. But what if she says no. I don’t want a broken heart and it will definitely break if she leaves. Damn it.”

Apache nibbled on Roark’s shirt then stepped away to eat his hay.

“You don’t care at all, do you?” Roark shook his head then after taking a deep breath he blew it out and left the barn. He walked up the steps to the house, and entered the kitchen to see Priscilla leaning against the counter, her arms folded under her beautiful breasts. She tilted her head at him.

“Are you all right?” she asked him.

---