Page 52 of Call it Reckless

“That’s a pretty high bid. What if I win?”

“Ipay my ticket.”

He snorted. “I don’t think that’s quite how it works, Bristol. You’d have to pay it, anyway. I’m not gaining anything.”

I quickly ran the calculations in my head. “If you win, I’ll give you a year of free oil changes on any of your vehicles.”

He ran a hand across his chin. “If you get hurt, I get to sayI told you so.”

I held out my hand. “Deal.”

His hand engulfed mine. “Deal.”

We headed toward the line. “Ladies first.” Reid gestured for me to go ahead of him when it was our turn.

By now, his friends had come over and were watching. As I climbed onto the mattress, I saw Emalee and Cam had joined Paige, who put her fingers to her lips and whistled. Emalee was laughing and pointing me out to a few other girls I’d met at her wedding but didn’t know well.

I received my instructions and climbed on top of Old Burt, as I learned the bull was named. I lifted my hand to signal I was ready and gripped the machine with my thighs. It didn’t take as long as it looked for the motion to feel wilder and wilder.

I gripped tighter with my legs, feeling my muscles argue. I kept my focus on the bull’s head and continued to let my body sway with the motion, but damn, it really was hard. One more spin and I felt myself launch from the seat. I looked up to the digital clock and jumped to my feet, ignoring the twinge in my thigh.

“Seventeen seconds!” the operator hollered. “A phenomenal ride by our newest resident, Bristol Allen.”

“Yes!” I pumped my fist and grinned at Reid amid the cheers and another impressive whistle by Paige.

He inclined his head with a slight smirk. “That was pretty good. I’m impressed.”

My hands flew to my hips. “Pretty good? That was double the times of anyone I’ve seen tonight.” I tipped my chin at him. “Let’s see how good you are, Deputy.”

Ignoring the hand he held out to help, I slid off the pad. He shrugged, then took a quick couple of steps forward and jumped the nearly two feet onto the pad with what seemed like little effort.

He turned and winked. “See you in the winner’s circle.”

I snapped my mouth closed and crossed my arms. There was no way he could win. He was tall and finding his center of gravity would be difficult.

Reid perched himself atop the bull amidst the cheers of his friends. The ride started, and his smile faded to a grim expression as he concentrated on the bull.

My eyes strayed to the timer. Nine seconds.

His free hand waved wildly as he fought to keep his balance. He almost slipped once, but he kept his seat.

Thirteen seconds.

The bull spun wildly, pitching Reid back and forth.

My mouth dropped open. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost swear he was a professional rider.

One more buck and Reid was thrown, landing on his back not far from where I stood on the sidelines. His sparkling eyes held mine.

“So close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades as the saying goes. Still, sixteen seconds is something to be proud of. Let’s hear it for Deputy Reid Braxton!” we heard called out.

“Woohoo!” I shouted, throwing my hands in the air as Reid’s head fell back against the mat with a grunt.

He rolled to his side and sat up, looking at me through his thick lashes with a grin. “Kind of wishing I’d dropped the speeding fine a little more.” He held out his hand. “Congratulations. You won. Truce?”

I hesitated, but only because I knew that another touch from Reid Braxton was another mark on my desire. It wasn’t just his good looks. He drove me crazy with his constant second-guessing of my actions. But I was realizing that, unlike others who tried it because they didn’t think I knew what I was doing, he was concerned about my welfare. That was different. It made him stand out from other men. Maybe we could at least be friends.

His hand started to fall, along with his smile, at my lack of immediate response. Knowing he couldn’t read my mind and understand it—hell, neither could I—I threw my hand out and caught his. “No need for a truce, Deputy. We’re not at war. We never were.”

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