Page 29 of Ash on the Range
Breaking out of my haze, I opened my eyes and snagged Gage’s sleeve as the older ranch hand strode past. Lost in my head I felt like everything had taken minutes when barely a breath had passed.
“Have you seen Will?” I yelled, my voice straining in an attempt to get above the cacophony ringing between my ears.
Gage met my eyes and raised his gaze over my head as hands settled on my waist.
“Here.”
I nearly spilled my coffee as I spun in a circle to face Will. His grin sharpened into something wicked, his eyes sweeping over me to settle back on my face.
“Damnit, Will,” I muttered, biting my lip. Butterflies rioted around my ribcage. Inside or out, I couldn't tell. “Was this you?” I waved the coffee in his face.
He squeezed my sides tight. “Better not be anyone else with my name telling you they love you,” he murmured, low enough for the words to reverberate along my spine, pulling me close enough for me to hear him over the crowd. “I like this look on you.”
“Just like?” I sassed him, looking up through my lashes. I mean, a girl didn’t go to college without a few tricks.
“I like.” His thumbs brushed over the skin on my belly where my top had ridden up in a sensual gesture that reminded me of…other things. “Are you ready for tonight? I think we’re about to start."
Energy buzzed off him that I hadn’t seen before. Mind, I met Will after he fell off the last bull he rode so, I hadn't seen this part of him at all before and it was…
Electrifying.
I drew back to study him in full. A black shirt with long sleeves decorated at the collar and cuffs with white and silver piping highlighted his full chest and narrow waist where the shirt tucked into a fresh pair of jeans. Aqua and black fringed chaps hung from his hips over a fresh pair of jeans and his dress boots.
A belt buckle I hadn't seen before rested at his waist. I reached out and ran my thumb across the bull standing still with a rider on its back before a cross.
“What’s this?” I looked up as his smile disappeared.
“My grandfather used to ride. He was damn good, too. Won a few things. Thought he might wanna see this ride tonight.” A muscle in his jaw ticked beneath the bright lights. For a moment I thought he might say more, but he didn’t.
Will looped his hand around mine, drawing me through the crowd. I clung to my coffee, grateful for the path he carved. Eve spotted us as we passed, giving a little wave. I raised my coffee in salute, managed to take a sip, and kept walking.
We wove our way through the crowd until we reached a spot near the edge of the arena, away from the stands.
“I thought we were heading for the.” I pointed to the staggered rows of metal seating the RHR/rodeo boys had erected during the day.
Will laughed, winding an arm around me as he tucked me into his side. “Hell, no. If I'm gonna eat dust tonight, I wanna see your pretty face close up when I do it.” He leaned down and kissed me.
I swore the entire arena—crowd, dust, chatter and all—disappeared the moment his lips touched mine. Will’s hand cupped the back of my head and my hands grew lighter as he held me close, parting my lips with his and delving deep until I sighed and reached into his embrace.
“Fuck, that’s worthy of falling hard and fast,” he murmured against my mouth, handing me my coffee back.
“I…what?” I asked, dazed as his hands dropped to my waist again, squeezing gently.
“Think your boy has it bad for you.” A deep voice spoke over my shoulder and a large hand jolted Will sideways, though he never let me go, tucking me into his chest and wrapping his arms around me. “Will. Hi, Cassie.”
“Denver?” I peered over my shoulder and smiled. “It feels like it’s been ages. Where did you park?”
The tall rodeo organizer scratched his chin. “Somewhere I'll never find my trailer, that’s for sure. Or get out for the next week.” He shrugged like that didn’t matter.
Maybe to him, it didn’t. The rodeo boys worked on their own timetable apart from during the season. Then it was ride, pack up and move to the next location, set up, ride and do it all over again.
Will wrapped an arm around my waist. “Good thing everyone’s staying here for a few days.” He pointed out everyone I knew from traveling with Austin. “Flint’s riding shortly. I think he’s up first. Sammy Littlefield and Jesse Reeves are about as well. Over…there.” He pointed at the shute where several sets of shoulders were.
“And Heath's playing rodeo clown, as usual.” Denver braced his forearms on the railing beside me, though I felt dwarfed next to him.
He was the only person I’d seen who might actually rival Travis’s six foot five height. Speaking of…
“Where’s Travis?” I looked around, but couldn't spot the tall ranch owner and in a crowd that shouldn't be possible.
