Page 133 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
I don’t have to see the page to know the dress is sky blue, like a cloudless day. But the gingham pattern on the dress is significant. It represents a picnic blanket.
“Riding a mechanical bull wearing a dress, commando.” Dean tilts his head to Jade. “Kinky.”
The women collectively shudder, exchanging glances twisted in repulsion as they list off all the reasons why that’s a bad idea.
“Gross.”
“Imagine the germs.”
“The sweat soaked into that thing.”
“It sounds more like a dare than a bucket wish.”
Dean tilts his head on Harper’s shoulder to look at her. “You ready to ride a bull?”
She kisses his chin, the most accessible part of his face, with his head resting on her shoulder. “I only have one cowboy I want to ride.”
His hand cups the back of her neck, turning her toward him and pressing a kiss meant for the bedroom.
The objections come fast and furious.
“That’s a little much!”
“Get a room!”
“But not in the bus!”
“Or our shower!”
“Fuck off.” Dean stands, pulling Harper to her feet with him. “We’re going to get ready to hit the bar.”
“No consummating in the bus,” Levi repeats, but Dean’s leading her straight to our bus. “Hope and I have dibs on the bedroom!”
The door slams shut behind them.
Levi curses.
“It’s gonna smell like sex in there.” A low chuckle escapes Bronx, and he gives her a sidelong glance, clearly impressed.
Josie taps the book. “Back to today’s puzzle. Bucking a mechanical bull in a dress. Any other thoughts?”
“A picnic in the open countryside, surrounded by cattle on a warm summer day filled with clouds to name, and an evening of making out under the stars. More specifically, lasso and capture. One person uses a lasso on the other, playing up the idea of taming, tying them up in a playful yet dominant way.”
I don’t mean to say it out loud.
I don’t want any part of this game.
When I register what I’ve said and that all eyes are on me, it hits me hard.
Shit.
But it’s Jade’s gaze that really strikes hard. Did she think I forgot? The look across her face suggests so.
“Wow, you really are kinky,” Josie says.
Jade’s eyes slide away from me, narrowing in a glare at her sister. For the first time in over ten years, I feel something precious slipping beyond my reach.
“How the fuck do you get that, man?” Bronx has the book again. “There ain’t no way.” He turns the book upside down, then sideways. “No way.”
