Page 55 of Wild and Unruly
I’ve never been a part of something like that. Never had close girlfriends who were there for me no matter what, who cheered me on, who supported me. Watching this group puts a little pebble of sadness in my gut.
I shove that aside and wrap my hand around my beer. Since I’m not working, I’m enjoying the night out with this great group of people. Stetson sits right next to me, his arm around the back of my shoulders, relaxing together like there is no worry in the world.
And right now, I truly feel like there isn’t.
He and CT talk, CT sitting just on the other side of Stetson where I can’t really hear anything, but I lean back against his arm and just let myself have this moment of solitude.
I try to remember a time when I felt this content with people and can’t seem to come up with anything.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so comfortable and at ease. Something this group does effortlessly is make you feel like you’re a part of their family.
Randomly, that teen girl who I met, Aesha, pops into my head. I think about how she was being treated over at the Smith ranch and wonder if she convinced her mom to leave their ranch. I hope she reaches out to Dani, or somewhere she can be appreciated and learn from someone who wants to teach.
I’ve seen Tommy ride. He has the talent to be in the arena. The issue is attitude. He acts like he owns everything, like nothing in the world must be earned.
It’s confusing how he seems to have a barn full of staff. They must think it’s their best bet to get where they want to be. Tommy has built a reputation, one that’s led to many first-place trophies and championships.
I feel Stetson’s hand rub my shoulder in a comforting way, telling me he’s happy I’m there, and I take another sip of my beer to wash down the feeling of guilt that seems to follow me. At least for the last week or so.
I had no intention of ever falling for someone when I was assigned this story. I thought I’d come like I always do, write the story, and move on.
But this…this one kept me here, and not just because I think they have some information on Tommy, but because Stetson has given me a sense of belonging that I’ve not felt since I was a young girl. Before the serious days of competing, before my parents hated each other, before Mason lost his ability to ride.
“Bonnie!” Dani yells from the dance floor, her long blonde hair flying behind her under her hat as she twirls.
Amy does a shoulder shimmy when the next song comes on, and all three girls wave me onto the dance floor.
It’s impossible to resist.
I jump to my feet, not looking back to Stetson, and throw one leg over the barrier that separates the dining room from the dance floor and land on my boots right as the girls form their line and start dancing.
Falling into formation, I follow the girls’ movements, laughing when we screw up but keep going, not having a care in the world. People are watching us from every corner of the room, but I don’t care because I am having a blast.
They form a fake do-si-do, and Dani links her arm throughmine, spinning around in our little circle. Our hair flies wildly around us, making our movements seem even more chaotic.
We’re laughing so hard that by the end of the song, none of us can properly breathe.
“You”—Amy points at me, nearly fall over herself in the process—“are a good time.”
I laugh with her and throw my arm over her shoulder. “Right back ’atcha.”
Another arm snakes around my waist, and I breathe in Stetson’s familiar scent. I turn into him, reaching for his hand as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, and smile up at the man who continuously makes my heart pound in my chest.
“You’re beautiful, did you know that?” He tilts his head down so his eyes can gaze into mine, and I smile with a blush.
“Again with the getting into my pants compliments.” I shake my head. “You’re gonna have to knock that off.”
Stetson grins, leaning down to place his lips against my ear. I feel his hat rest on my head slightly and lean against him. “Never.”
I chuckle, running my hands over his shoulders and resting them behind his neck. For a moment, he just watches me, moving our bodies around the dance floor like it’s nothing to him.
I feel heat gathering between us and wish we were anywhere else but this bar.
“You remember that first night in Acton?”
Flashing back to that night, I nod my head.
The scruff of his jaw grazes over my ear as he speaks. His voice is rough with lust, and I know he’s thinking of that same dark alleyway. “I remember wanting you so badly that stoppingmyself from taking you that night was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, Bo.”
