Page 17 of Big and Bold
He smiles at me. “Because you love me…”
I roll my eyes. For a man that never said it, it’s like he’s making up for lost time. I grab on to the front of his shirt. “Yes, I love you.”
He lets out a breath. “What else is going on in that pretty head of yours?”
I bite my lower lip and shake my head side to side. I lean into him, wanting to stay with him, but I know he needs to focus on his event that will be starting soon. “Nothing. I’m going to go grab a seat.”
He grabs my hand to hold me where I’m at. “Where do you think you’re going?”
I point to the stands, eyeing an empty seat. “To sit down.”
I tug on my hand, but he doesn’t let go. “Would you care to stay with me?”
When I don’t answer right away, he shrugs but doesn’t let me go. “I mean, of course, if you’d rather not, then I can walk you over to your seat.”
I tilt my head, confused. “You want me with you?”
He nods quickly. “Always.”
I lean into him. “Okay, I’ll follow you.”
He puts an arm around my waist and walks with me through the crowd. He’s slow moving, introducing me along the way. Multiple people wish him luck, and he thanks them. We walk past the other wives and girlfriends, and he walks me right up to the edge of the walkway for cowboys to enter. He looks around for a seat and helps me into one at the end of an aisle. “Here you go, honey.”
I’m surprised when he sits down next to me, still holding my hand. I turn to face him, “Dustin, this is crazy. You should be up there getting ready.”
He just smiles as if he’s got all the time in the world. “I’m in no rush, honey.”
I stroke my hand along his jaw. “You’re going to be great, D.”
He nods cockily. “I know. I have my good luck charm with me.”
The announcers come on the microphone. “Okay, ladies and gentlemen, get ready because the final ride is coming up, and I guarantee it’s going to be entertaining. Dustin Clay is up next.”
Dustin doesn’t rush to stand up. Instead, he pulls me into his lap and kisses me until I’m panting. When he lifts his mouth from mine, he’s smiling ear to ear. I slide my hands around his neck. “What are you smiling about, D?”
He nods his head toward the jumbotron. “I wanted to make sure everyone knew you were taken.” He kisses me again. “I’ll be right back.”
I look toward the huge screen and gasp when I see that the camera is right on Dustin and me. The crowd erupts with claps and cheers, and Dustin sets me back in my seat. He’s about to walk away, but I stand up and grab on to his arm to stop him. “I love you, D.”
He gives me that smile. “I love you too, baby. I’ll be right back.”
I put a hand to my chest, right over my heart, and watch him walk to the entrance. Ray is standing there with Bolt, and I’m in awe as I watch Dustin climb up on the beautiful horse. My heart feels so full, and without thought, I walk up to the fence and lean against it to watch Dustin.
A few minutes go by, and I’m holding my breath as the announcer says that the ride is about to start. Everyone is on their feet, and when the countdown starts, I want to close my eyes and say a prayer, but I can’t look away. The steer takes off, and Dustin follows. It feels like minutes tick by when it’s mere seconds.
As soon as Dustin takes the steer down and his time is announced, he stands up and starts walking toward me. I’m cheering and clapping with the rest of the auditorium, and when Dustin jumps over the fence to get to me, I let him pull me up in his arms and swing me around. We’re both laughing and smiling.
Dustin is announced the winner, but he’s too busy kissing me to pay attention to anything else. I pull away, and I can feel the heat on my face. “Dustin, you won.”
He just shrugs. “Baby, as long as you’re by my side, I’m a winner.”
I shake my head. “You won, D! This is what you wanted.”
“Honey, we won! If I won, we won.”
He keeps me by his side as they call him up to collect his winnings. The crowd is going wild, but he keeps his eyes on me. He waves to the crowd as we walk out of the arena, and even when we’re bombarded on the sidelines by people, he never lets go of me. It’s not until we’re in the back away from the crowd that we’re able to catch our breath.
He’s looking at me in awe, and I giggle. “Dustin, you won!”
