Page 158 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
I roll my hips with the bull’s motion, slow, steady, and ready. Like I’m showing him what he missed all those years ago when he left me with nothing but silence and a broken heart.
The rhythm of the bull picks up, and so does my pulse.
My thighs ache. My breath’s shallow.
Every damn movement pushes up against something profound and electric in me.
And knowing he’s watching, knowing I’m the only thing holding his attention, makes it worse. Or better. I can’t tell anymore.
The bull slows, and the ride ends before I want it to.
But the heat?
The ache?
That’s just getting started.
I dismount, knees a little unsteady, and my heart racing. I smooth down my skirt, pretending my whole body isn’t buzzing.
Then I look at him.
And he’s still looking back like he hasn’t breathed since I got on.
“Officially ticked off the bucket list!” A round of high fives is shared.
“Hart’s turn.” Dean slaps his brother’s shoulder, and Hart looks anything but impressed.
27: HE DIDN’T SEE MY BALLS
HART
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MY BROTHERS ARE relentless.
I swear, their hobby is torturing me—a nice, slow, constant torture.
“You gotta ride the bull.” Dean grins like a toddler with a fistful of cake frosting.
Beer foam laces his facial hair like he face-planted into the same tub of frosting.
“You ride the fucking bull.” I take a few steps back to my seat, and swig of my beer, wiping my upper lip before I end up looking like that foam-faced fool.
“Ahhh, big brother is chickening out.” His shitfaced grin should come with a warning label.
Stupid when drinking.
Stupid when sober.
Just stupid and loud around the clock. Maybe he needs an on-off button instead.
He clucks like a chicken under his breath.
Yeah. I am chickening out. Doesn’t he remember the damn fire ants? My balls aren’t going to let me forget anytime soon.
Everything below the waist feels sandblasted. Even my damn legs are spread just a little wider than usual on this stool. Gotta give my skin air and space, and cream—which I’ll buy tomorrow.
“Let him be. After yesterday’s incident, maybe this is a challenge he’s not ready to take.” I can’t tell if Levi is being a smug prick or sincere.
