Bedding The Best Friend (Bedding the Bachelors, Book 4) (24 page)

Ryan just stared at her. “You’re going with him.”

“Sure. You have Monica now, and I—”

“I
don’t
have Monica. We just ran into each other. Is this because of the job offer? You’re pissed I didn’t tell you? Because I was going to, Annie, I swear. It’s just with everything going on this weekend—everything that’s been going on with
you
—”

“It’s okay, Ryan. I understand. I’ve caused you enough problems.”

“Problems? That’s not what I meant.” He took her arm and urged her a few feet away so they could have some privacy. “Listen to me, last night was amazing. I don’t want you thinking I want to be with Monica and not you. Because that’s not true.”

Her heart expanded with joy. He looked and sounded like he meant that. But she was scared. Scared that he’d say anything to protect her feelings. Yes, he might be attracted to her, but he’d been attracted to Monica, too. She didn’t want him passing up his chance with her and then later resenting Annie for it.

“It
was
amazing,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade one second of last night and this morning for anything, but you said yourself that you’d leave a part of you so deep inside me another man would know it. That was you letting me know we’d still be friends. Not lovers, not a couple.” When he opened his mouth to say something, her urgency and heartache mounted. “You’ve had a crush on Monica for years. She was never available, but now she is. I see how she looks at you, Ryan. If I kept you from your chance with her, you’d end up hating me.”

As if he didn’t hear her plea, he shot Clint a dirty look. “Is this really about Monica and wanting to protect me, or is this more bullshit about your list? Maybe hooking up with your best friend isn’t naughty enough, so you’re ready to move on to something bigger and badder?”

“Wanting to be more adventurous isn’t bullshit, Ryan.”

“Doing it the way you planned sure is. I’m not—”

“Ryan, are you ready to go back inside?” Monica walked up to them, smiling.

Annie had thought she’d left, that Ryan had sent her away, but obviously that wasn’t the case.

“No, Monica. Annie and I—”

Clint suddenly appeared. “Annie?”

She looked at Ryan. “It’s okay, Ryan. Like I said, you and Monica spend some time together, and we’ll catch up later, okay?”

Ryan caught her arm again. “Don’t do this, Annie,” he said.

Instead of pulling away from him, she stepped closer, kissed his cheek, and whispered in his ear, “I’ll always be your friend, Ryan, I promise. No matter what you choose. Don’t let me hold you back. From the job or anything else.”

Then she did step back, gently pulling her arm out of his grip. He frowned at her. And with her heart breaking, she turned away.

Chapter Fifteen

Annie and Clint took a cab to South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. The exhibit hall was huge, and the hotel and casino that surrounded it were beautiful. When they walked into the arena, there were rows of concession and souvenir stands. The place was buzzing, full of cowboy hats and boots, both male and female.

“This place also has a movie cinema and bowling alley. I try to stay here when I come to town, but it was booked this time.”

Annie nodded, but didn’t respond. She hadn’t said much since they’d left Ryan. It was hard to talk when her heart was in her throat.

She had no one to blame but herself. She’d left Ryan alone with Monica even though he’d told her he’d rather be with her. But she’d been so scared that he was just saying that to be a good friend, so scared by her feelings for him and her fear that she was losing him because of his job offer, that she’d turned coward and run.

She was ashamed of herself. Hadn’t Melina and Clint told her that she needed to fight for what she wanted? She didn’t want anything as much as she wanted Ryan. Yet even after the amazing time they’d spent in each other’s arms, all it had taken was one beautiful woman whom he’d expressed interest in years ago and she’d caved. Been the same old Annie. She could transform herself physically all she wanted, but deep inside she was the same coward she’d always been.

“I probably shoulda asked you this earlier, but you aren’t one of those animal-rights activists, are you?”

That got Annie’s attention. “I’m not a member of PETA or anything, but I love animals. They aren’t going to hurt the calves, are they?”

“Honestly, I don’t think it hurts ‘em. But the activists have been against calf-roping for years.”

“How does it work exactly?”

“The calves are lined up back there,” he said, pointing toward a narrow chute with a door. “When the calf enters the chute, the door is closed behind it, and a little trip lever is fastened around the calf’s neck.”

“Around his neck. Like a noose?” she said, sounding as horrified as she felt.

Clint laughed. “Are you sure you’re not PETA? No, honey, not like a noose. It’s a real lightweight rope, and it’s attached so that when it’s pulled on, the spring-loaded door in front of the roper will open and the rope will fall away.”

“Why can’t someone else just open the door?”

“It’s set up like that to make sure the calf gets a head start. When the roper is ready, he calls for the calf. The guy operating the chute lets the calf out. The calf will run in a straight line, and when the trip runs out of slack, it falls off the calf. That makes the barrier for the horse and rider open up.”

“What do they do to him when they catch him?” she asked.

“Wouldn’t you rather just watch? It’s gonna start here in a few.”

“I’d rather know what I’m getting myself into,” she said.

With a grin, Clint said, “Well, the rider has to lasso the calf on horseback, and once the rope’s around its neck, he dismounts, picks up the calf, and flips him…gently of course,” he added, probably because of her wide eyes. “He flips him gently onto his side and ties three of his legs together. When he’s done, he throws his hands in the air, and after the timer runs for six seconds to make sure the calf doesn’t get loose, the time is recorded.”

“What’s a good time?”

“Well, most of ‘em can do it in about seven seconds. The world record is just over six.”

“Hmm,” she said. “None of that sounds very gentle.”

Once the event started, Annie’s worries were confirmed. She was too concerned about the animals to enjoy the sport. After the first round, Clint stood up and held out his hand. “Come on, pretty lady. Let’s get you out of here.”

But Annie shook her head. “You stay. I don’t want to ruin your night.”

Besides, she was done being a coward, Annie realized. She needed to face Ryan. But first…

“Clint, there’s something I need to do.”

He smiled. “Something having to do with your friend?”

“In a way. But mostly just for me.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I came to Vegas for an adventure. This will be my last one, and I need to do it on my own.”

“All right,” he said. “But will you do me a favor? Take my number and give me a text when you’re back to your hotel?”

“You’re a good guy, Clint.”

“Yeah, that’s mostly my problem.” He gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, and then she programmed his number into her phone. Annie made her way outside and called a cab.

* * *

Annie texted Clint as soon as she got back to the hotel.

Back safe ☺

Good. Thank you for hanging out with me tonight. How did your final adventure go?

Great. But the final outcome is still uncertain.

Good luck.

Thank you for teaching me about calf-roping. I’ll be joining PETA now.

☺

She imagined him laughing in his cute cowboy way. What a great guy. Hopefully he’d find someone who deserved him.

She went up to her room and showered. Before she dressed, she peeled off the small bandage that covered her new tattoo and used a hand mirror to look at her lower back from various angles.

She really liked it, especially with the changes she had decided to make. A part of her regretted that most people would never be able to see it, but another part of her was glad that it would be her private reminder of the man she would always love.

She replaced the bandage, glad she wasn’t as sore as she’d thought she’d be. The only part that had really hurt was when the tattoo artist had colored in the flowers. A young woman had done the flower, but the big guy at the counter had drawn the initials in. She’d been amazed that someone so big and brawny could do such delicate scrollwork.

She’d order some room service before calling Ryan. Maybe even order a glass of wine for courage. She was looking through the room-service menus when her phone bleeped with an incoming text.

Don’t sleep with the cowboy, Annie. Please.

After a brief hesitation, she typed:
Why shouldn’t I?

You’ll regret it. That’s not who you are.

What am I?

Amazing.

But he didn’t stop there. Each new text popped up in quick succession.

Beautiful.

Kind.

Gorgeous.

A great friend.

The best lover.

Sexy.

Passionate.

Delicious.

The words kept coming, bringing tears to her eyes.

I sound pretty awesome. But I’m not as awesome as you. I’m sorry I left. I was jealous of Monica.

I told you, I don’t want Monica. I want you.

Want to come to my room?

I’m already here.

Quickly, she went to open the door. And he was there, his beautiful face tight with worry.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“Clint took me to watch calf-roping.”

His eyes widened, and he laughed. “Seriously?”

“I don’t think I’m a rodeo kind of girl. I didn’t stay long. I went and got my tattoo instead.”

Ryan suddenly became serious again. “He went with you to get the tattoo?” He looked almost as hurt as he would have been if she and Clint had slept together.

“No. I went by myself.”

“Did it hurt?”

“A little,” she told him. “But it was worth it.”

“Can I see it?”

Annie knew if she showed it to him there would be no turning back. Ryan’s initials were inside the white rose, mixed together with hers. The artist had done an amazing job of crafting the four letters to look like a perfect little heart.

* * *

“Annie?”

Slowly, Annie pulled up her shirt and turned around. She felt Ryan delicately remove the tape that held the bandage in place, then waited as he examined the tattoo. She tried to be patient, but if her heart was about to be left bloody and battered, she’d rather get on with it.

Finally, he replaced the tape. He swept her hair over her shoulder so he could kiss her neck. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist, curling himself around her and burying his face in her neck. He held her like that for several long minutes before kissing her neck again and pulling away. Taking her arm, he gently turned her to face him.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said.

Annie was shaking, and there were tears in her eyes. The way he’d held her and kissed her had told her she’d done the right thing. “You don’t have to say anything, Ryan. I love you. I’ve loved you since we were sixteen. But that’s my problem to deal with, not yours. I’m so blessed to have you in my life. To have you as my friend—”

“I love you, too. I always have. But, baby, you deserve so much more than I can ever give you.”

“What are you talking about?” Annie was genuinely confused. How could this amazing man possibly think that?

“Look at you. You’re gorgeous, and you’ve always been gorgeous. I can’t even tell you how many cold showers I’ve had to take over the years. You’re so smart. I can’t begin to keep up with you there. You radiate this goodness from the inside. And about your naughty list… It’s true, I didn’t want you doing anything you’d regret. But mostly I was jealous. I couldn’t stand the idea of you being with someone else. Not that way.”

“But I’ve had relationships. Dated. We both have. And you never said anything before.”

“When you were in a relationship, I could convince myself those men had more to offer you than I do.”

“But last night, you figured if I was going to go for casual sex anyway…” she prompted.

“I couldn’t hold back any longer.” He winced. “I know. Crazy. See what I mean about not being all that smart?”

Annie cupped the side of his face. “I never told you how I felt either. How smart does that make me? I’ve been an idiot. I should have risked putting my feelings out there a long time ago. But yeah, of the two of us, you’re most definitely the crazy one.”

Ryan laughed and said, “Thanks. That’s what every guy who tells a woman he loves her wants to hear.” His expression turned solemn. “And I do love you, Annie. In every sense of the word.”

“I love you. And you’re amazing. Amazingly smart. If anyone thinks that being a firefighter is all about muscle and not about intelligence, too, they’re crazy. That means you’re crazy. How many medical calls do you respond to each day? How many different types of chemicals do you have to understand to fight different fires? You and I have always been able to talk about anything and everything…intelligently. When you were sixteen, you didn’t need a tutor. What you needed was a vacuum. You couldn’t keep your mind on your schoolwork because you were too busy thinking about girls and football and girls—”