Wild Ride: BBW Western Romance (Under Open Skies Saga Book 2) (24 page)

“
Trying not to be nervous, can you tell it is
n’
t working
?”
This was the first time sh
e’
d ever seen him anything other than confident, and it threw her.

“
You are like a natural on a bull, Hunter. I know you can do this
.
”

He chuckled at her, then looked over at Cody
.“
Had a feeling you would be around too. You finally weasel your way into her good graces
?
”

“
You knew it was bound to happen eventually, especially since we are both your number one fan
.”
Cody winked in Hunte
r’
s general direction
.“
Besides,
I’
m an official member of the Brooks and Fields team now, she saw my indispensable talent.

“
You jackass
,”
Hunter pulled his hat down and spit into the dirt
.“
You better get back, the second hal
f’
ll be starti
n’
up soon, and
I’
m guessing you actually wanna see it
?
”

They both turned to leave, but Hunter called out
.“
Kat, wait a minute
.”
His voice was just a little bit vulnerable, and it made her waver.

She stayed, waving off Cody.

Hunter walked over and pulled her in for a small kiss.

“
Thanks. I know you came for me, most women, in my past, they would
n’
t do that. Means a lot
.
”

She could
n’
t hide the blush that crept up her cheeks
.“
Next time you kiss me, you promise not to smell like cow shit
?
”

“
Tha
t’
s bull shit, Kat, and you know it
.”
He grinned at her, that same prideful grin she had grown to love.

Damn him.

“
You are going to do fine. You have a good bull, and you know exactly what you are doing. Would
n’
t have taken you on if I did
n’
t believe that
.
”

“
Hell yeah, I am. Thanks for believing in me, Princess. It means a lot
.”
He grabbed her face with his one ungloved hand and held her chin for just a moment before letting go.

She turned and walked away, back up to the stands, feeling more than a little love struck.

That man did the damnedest things to her.

It was
n’
t a rodeo without the overwhelming sights and sounds of the people around her, laughing, cheering, and even heckling whenever the rodeo entertainers came out. Still, she blocked it all, and focused on one thing. Preparing herself to cheer on her guys. To support Hunter.

“
Hunter Daniels on Tornado Force Winds
.
”

Eight seconds. That was all he needed. Just eight seconds and he would get his score.

The first buzzer rang and the gate opened, the bull jumping out of the chute, bucking right away.

Right into the damn gate.

The collision threw Hunter, but he held onto the bell, his arm wrapped around the bull rope tightly, his other still in the air. Tornado Force Winds was angry, and it was showing, the bull was in the fade which meant that his movements completely unpredictable, changing directions, each buck higher than the last.

Five more seconds.

Still Hunter was holding strong his free hand in the air as he kept good hold of the bull rope.

Another high buck, right into the fence. This time Hunter was
n’
t so lucky. Tornado Force Winds was just too damn strong, and it threw Hunter, but there was no dismount. Shit.

He was hung up.

Kat sucked in a breath, digging her nails into her thigh, trying not to jump up and run down there. There was nothing she could do, except watch.

The bull whipped around and rammed his horns into his side, hooking him good, right in the safety vest. Like a flash all the bullfighters were right there, helping him out of the rope, and pulling him down. They worked in completely synchronistic action, taunting the bull, getting him into one of the chutes, away from the clearly winded rider. Kat let out a breath. Hunter was on his feet, the bull fighters helping him over the gate.

She was out of her seat before she even realized what was happening, running in the direction of the arena, her heart in her chest as it beat heavily.

He was waving her away before she even got close.

“I’
m fine
.”
He said, grabbing his hat and pulling it off
.“
Other than being royally pissed
.
”

“
Are you sure
?”
she asked, biting the inside of her lip and stopping in her tracks.

“
Dammit, yes. I am sure. Still, the medical team should be around shortly, got a bit hooked, so they are going to need to check it out. Just a damn bruise
.”
He was pissed. Absolutely livid. The hard set of his jaw and clenched eyebrows gave it away.

He collapsed on a small stool and exhaled, the breath wracking painfully though his chest.  , Pain scoured the lines of his face, shining with a thick sheen of sweat.

“
Yo
u’
re in pain
.
”

“
Yeah, pain from fucking getting no score
.
”

Another ride, one she recognized from the facility tagged him on the shoulder
.“
Hey, man. I just got word that the judges are convening, should be announced as soon as they figure all that shit out. Announcers suck today. Wanted to let you know
.
”

“
Thanks, Bill
.
”

He tipped a hat at her and walked away.

All she could do was stand there with him, and wait for the verdict. Finally, after several long minutes, the announcer came on the loud speaker.

“
Hunter Daniels will be granted a reride due to the being fouled by Tornado Force Winds, who bucked into the gate. A bull is being selected
.
”

The entire crowd screamed in excitement, obviously in agreement.

She cheered, looking over at Hunter, who was smiling, albeit through the pain.

“
Are you sure you can ride again
?”
She asked, edged away from him by the medical team.

“
Yo
u’
ll be getting a ride tonight, and you know it. Compared to you, this bull is going to be nothing
.
”

She blushed scarlet.

“
Hunter, are you experiencing any pain
?
”

“
Nothing extreme. No broken ribs, just a few bruises. I did
n’
t even hit my head, man. I am going to go again
.”
Hunter was stoic as they checked him over, but he was certainly determined.

“
H
e’
s right. Just some deep tissue contusions. Nothing too serious, but freaking painful. You wanna ride another bull
?
”

“
Hell yeah, I do. I shoul
d’
ve been able to ride the last. Fucking lame
.
”

“
Man, you just got hooked, do
n’
t be so hard on yourself. You need to get to your sport therapist after the ride. That is my official advice. You are cleared to ride again, but be careful man, you do
n’
t want to hurt yourself. Really, hurt yourself
.
”

She breathed a sigh of relief. He was fine. He was going to ride again. Now she knew exactly the worry her mother had complained about with her father riding. That woman was always so angry about it. To the point where she did
n’
t even want to see him ride again. The last couple of years of his career she did
n’
t even go. When Kat went, it was because Hank took her.

“
Hey
.”
Hunter stood up and pulled her into his arms
.“
Maybe I need a bit of good luck
.
”

She took off her da
d’
s old hat and looked up at him.

“
Wha
t’
re you thinki
n’?”
she asked, ignoring the dirt on his clothing, just focusing on him. It was
n’
t hard to do. Especially with those steely eyes staring into her own.

“
A kiss, maybe
?”
He dipped down and kissed her, his lips touching hers softly at first, and then pulling her in for a deeper kiss. Before she realized it their tongues were entwined and she was breathing heavily, clinging to him. A loud whistle and a cat call pulled her out of it.

“
Do you think that will help
?
”

“
I dunno, but it sure as hell ca
n’
t hurt
.”
He kissed her one more time, quickly
.“
You gonna to be there, watchi
n’
me
?
”

“I’
m here, are
n’
t I? Just like I promised
.”
She gave him a squeeze and then let go, turning and walking away, leaving him watching, for once.