Page 101 of The Wildest Ride

She said nothing in response, merely raised an eyebrow.

“That’s why it’s fun,” he conceded. “Where’s it from? I didn’t see it at any of my rodeos in Spain.”

She shook her head. “It’s not rodeo. It’s a modern revival of ancient Minoan bull leaping.”

This time AJ raised an eyebrow.

“Have you ever seen pottery with figures flipping over bulls? It’s that. But modern.”

“Ancient cow tipping with bulls?”

Lil laughed. “No. No. No. There are stories of athletes who leaped at the heads of bulls, used their horns and foreheads as springboards and flipped their bodies in the air over the animals.”

AJ looked incredulous. “You went to Spain to do that?”

Again, Lil shook her head. “No. I just did the dancing. That’s all you can do anymore.” Her eyebrows came together, face turning thoughtful. “Although, I suppose you could always just try on private property. People are probably doing it everywhere...”

AJ’s tone was dry enough to rival Diablo’s. “Somehow I doubt that...”

Lil chuckled. “You’re right. People are more interested in staying alive than ancient bull leaping, I guess.”

AJ smiled at the longing that was still obvious in her voice. “Not all people. Did you enjoy it?”

She said, quietly, “It was wonderful.”

AJ gave her a squeeze, happy for her for the experience. It was a hell of a lot more unique than traveling all the way around the world only to do the same damn thing over and over again.

She laid her head back down on his chest and nuzzled close and for a few moments, neither of them spoke.

She finally asked: “What are you most proud of about your career?”

He grinned. “That’s easy—the kids I’ve mentored.”

She smiled.

“That’s sweet of you to say.”

“It’s true. CityBoyz changed my life, gave me passion and drive during a dark time. I was a loose cannon for a long time—like Hank. When I started, I was angry and couldn’t control my temper.”

“But after control, you were still angry?” she asked, picking up on what he hadn’t voiced.

“I was. I brought it to the bull.” He felt her grimace against his chest and laughed. “Landed on my ass a lot.”

“Granddad said it’s the surest way to get beat,” she said.

“Your granddad was a smart man.”

Lil smiled.

“It took me a little longer to learn that one,” he said.

“Yeah?”

He nodded, a faint smile on his face at remembering. “But the hard way had its benefits. I learned how to muscle through everything first. By the time I figured out how to keep my cool, I’d bulked up. Strength and control are a deadly combo.”

Lil laughed softly. “That sounds like an interview line.”

“It’s true, though. That’s what drove me so crazy about you when we met. It was so obvious you had strength and skill—I hated to see that wasted by lack of control.”

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