Page 25 of Filthy and Fierce

He slides me to my feet when we’re inside the hotel room. “Princess, I’m going to win today, and then I’m going to take you home and we’re going to plan our life together.”

I nod, barely able to contain my happiness.

He kisses my neck, pulling at my shirt. “But first I’m going to love my future wife.”

I practically swoon against him.

He makes love to me, showing me how good we can be together, and it’s even better that we no longer have to hide and there’s no guilt holding us back.

EPILOGUE

FAITH

Four Years Later

I’m leaning on the rail, holding Dixon Junior on my hip and holding my breath the whole time. Dixon is the top of the leaderboard, and his event is happening now.

“There’s Daddy,” DJ screams.

I bounce him on my hip. “There he is.”

I can’t take my eyes off the man that has become my everything these last four years. I never thought I’d say it, but getting caught by my dad was the best thing that could have happened. I’m not sure what we would have done if we hadn’t. Would Dixon have pushed me away? I’ve asked him, and he said he knew we would be together, but he definitely would have gone another way of telling my father.

We built our house on the land my dad gave Dixon. It’s exactly what I dreamed of and more.

The sound of the horn has me holding our son tighter, and I’m glued to what’s happening in front of us. DJ is cheering, but all I can do is hold my breath and watch as the steer takesoff first. Dixon gallops after him on his horse, and at the perfect moment, he jumps from his horse, grabbing the steer’s horns, and then Dixon is in the air, wrestling the steer to the ground. It’s only a few seconds, but it feels like a lifetime until the steer is flat on its side.

As soon as he has him down and the buzzer rings, Dixon is up and heading straight for us.

He climbs the railing, and DJ is going crazy at his dad’s antics. “You did it, Daddy! You did it!”

He kisses his son’s head. “I sure did, buddy.” He looks at me. “What about you, Momma? You see that?”

I roll my eyes. “Of course I saw that. I’m proud of you. You were amazing.”

He laughs and kisses me before whispering, “I think you said those same words to me last night.”

I smack him playfully, and then he’s climbing down the railing.

The crowd is going wild, and everyone is cheering us on.

DJ is eating up all the attention.

We stay in our seats, but soon my dad joins us, taking DJ from my arms. “Our boy did good.”

I had worried in the beginning if Dad was really going to be okay with me and Dixon, but he’s taken it all in stride. Plus, when he found out he was going to be a grandfather, he’s been as happy as the time he won his national title. “He did good, Dad. Of course, he’s got a great trainer.”

My dad shakes his head. “Nope, I can’t take credit. Dixon’s always been natural talent. Just like this one. He should be down there performing.”

My dad tried to convince me to let DJ enter into the sheep riding event, but I want to wait a few more years. “Soon, Dad. Promise.”

I turn to look for Dixon, and he’s making his way toward us. He has a huge smile on his face, and even though there are people stopping him for autographs, he barely takes his eyes off me. When he reaches my side, he lifts me up, and I kiss him. “Congratulations.”

He nods to the arena. “I haven’t won yet. Dustin is up next.”

We sit on the bleachers, and I take a moment to just enjoy my family all being together. I still can’t believe that my dad thought I wouldn’t want this life.

We all watch as Dustin performs, and as the buzzer rings, I look at the clock and choke back a cry. Dustin’s time is two seconds less than Dixon’s.

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