Page 26 of Reckless Hearts

“Why are you saying it like that?” I say, scooting on my butt until I can lean against the cool metal.

“Yeah, man.” Luke’s grin turns mischievous, an all-knowing glint in his eyes. “There’s food, music, and drinks. Who’d want to miss this?”

Colt climbs in and takes the spot next to me, his hand finding mine again. He holds them up between us, examining how my small palm fits in his. “Yeah… it’s not so bad after all.”

Warmth fills my stomach at the awe in his voice. He sounds like he finally found something he’s been looking for.

Luke clears his throat. “Man, you are so screwed.”

Colt snorts. “Tell me something I don’t already know.”

They aren’t subtle, and it’s easy to decipher the undercurrent of what they’re saying. There’s a small flame lit in my chest, one I keep protected from the outside, and he’s stoking it. Hope and want are two of the most dangerous things. It’s not fair for me to hope he wants me as much as I’m starting to want him.

The thought ricochets in my head, bouncing off the walls until I’m forced to acknowledge that there’s no amount of resistance on my part that could prevent my reaction to the two of them.

“That buckle bunny’s hot. You think they’ll take turns?” The guy doesn’t even bother to lower his voice.

Colt stiffens beside me, his muscles pressed against the side of my thigh tightening. “What did you just say?”

“Fuck.” Luke’s already pushing the guy backward, shaking his head in warning. “Why does everyone around here have a death wish? Save it for the arena.”

“What? I’m just stating the obvious.”

It’s Colt holdingmeback as a current of rage stokes a fire in my gut. Guys like him are scum of the earth. They think they’re better than everyone meanwhile, they’re whining when they can’t get a date.

Colt’s laugh lacks any amusement. “You better watch it. You have no idea who you’re talking to.”

“What, she your girl?”

“She’s the heir to Harper Ridge Ranch,” Luke says.

The idiot’s face pales in recognition. “You’re… I’m sorry.”

My grin is sharp as I lean forward. “You keep fucking around like this and you’re about to find out. I’ll make sure you’ll neverride on one of our bulls again. Do you know what that means? Hmm? It means you’ll have a very short career.”

I’m bluffing. Just because my family breeds them, once we’ve sold the bulls to the league, we have zero control. But this guy doesn’t know that. Everyone knows Harper Ridge Ranch produces the rankest bulls, and without them, a rider doesn’t stand a chance.

If you can stick the eight, you’re guaranteed a good score.

The guy removes his hat and bows his head. “I… I didn’t know who you were. I’m very sorry, ma’am.”

“If I hear you whisper the termbuckle bunnyagain, you are done. Do you understand? You might as well pack up and head home.”

Colt tries to muffle his snort, enjoying this exchange entirely too much.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll never say it again. Promise.”

Now that his hat’s off, I can see he’s younger than I thought. Hopefully, he takes this to heart.

“Let’s get you out of here before you say anything else stupid,” Luke says, wrapping his arm around the kid’s shoulder.

He looks relieved, staring at Luke like he’s his savior.

A laugh bubbles up from my chest, and I tip my head back to rest on the metal. “That felt good.”

“I bet it did. I thought he was going to piss himself. He’d have probably preferred I punched him.”

I huff. “He deserved it.”

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