Page 29 of Rodeo Rivals
“You were, and are, more than capable of handling it yourself. I had no business stepping in,” he added, hoping that would counteract his idiotic comment before.
She nodded and flung her hands out at her sides before rubbing them against her outer thighs. “Yeah.”
“So, we’re good.”
She nodded and chewed her bottom lip. It was too fucking adorable. He couldn’t stand it. What would he do with this woman? He had to make things less awkward.
“Tell me,” he said, leaning against the fence behind him.
She perked.
“How’d you do in Dalhart?”
He knew, but she needed something to take her mind off whatever made her this uncomfortable. The last thing he wanted was for her to be anxious around him or before she got in the saddle.
Everything about her relaxed. Her face brightened with a giant smile. She looked up, and he swore there were stars in her eyes. “I got second.”
“Hot damn.” He slapped a hand against his leg, stepped forward, and before he could think better of it, he wrapped his arms around her.
Squeezing her tightly, he lifted her in the air and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Wyatt!” she squealed and kicked her feet.
When he put her down, he stepped back. The crowd of nosy Nellies grew larger.
“I’m proud of you,” he said loudly enough for everyone to hear him.
Her cheeks tinged pink, and she looked around, surveying those who were paying far too much attention to them.
“Don’t worry about them,” he whispered.
Returning her focus to him, she frowned. “You’re not the one busting stereotypes here. They’re going to talk.”
Wyatt waved a hand dismissively before reaching for hers and pulling her closer to him. “Let them.”
She peered at him as though he had ten heads. “That’s easy for you to say. It will not undermine your credibility.”
“I’ve seen you ride.” He made sure he held her gaze when he said this. “No onecan take that away from you. You work hard. Your talent exceeds that of most of the men here.” He gestured around.
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed and surveyed those lingering near them.
“Including me,” he said as he covered his chest with both hands.
She met his eyes. The look on her face practically broke his heart. There was reluctance mixed with relief. Wait. Was that even a bit of disbelief? He couldn’t have that.
Placing his hands on her arms, just below her shoulders, he crouched slightly to be eye level. “McKayla. You are one hell of a bronc rider. It is an honor to compete against you. Tonight, I’m going to kick your ass.”
That did it.
The spark returned. She stepped back out of his hold and pursed her lips as she jutted her chin upward. That was the bravado and confidence that had sucked him in at the Double Wide. It was the moxie she carried herself with when she walked into the arena that first day. It was the hottest thing about her and damn, his dick was rock hard.
She was competitive. It was time to pluck that chord. “I bet I outscore you tonight.”
Her brows lifted. “Is that so? You willing to put anything on that?”
Betting on performance was strictly prohibited. He had to tread lightly here.
“Well, I mean, we can’t officially wager,” he said as he leaned in close to her, hovering near her ear. “But if I do tonight, I’m on top.”
