Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Nope, Lane is up next. And the event after will be Dean.” Oh, okay, it seems the attraction between the two may be mutual after all.
“And what event is Dean doing today?” Some of the brothers will switch up, but not Lane. He’s always been on a bronc of some kind, saddle or no saddle. The man knows what he likes and sticks with it.
“I think steer roping.” Tallulah won’t meet my eyes.
“Well then, I guess we better get to watching.” The announcer starts talking, shutting me up from finishing any kind of conversation Tully and I were going to have. I hear Lane’s number, ninety-nine, his stats and how long he’s been riding. My eyes are glued to the chute, trying to get a glimpse of Lane. When I left him, he was cinching his chaps. On the chair was his vest, and then last were his gloves. Everything else, Lawson would help get him ready. The two of them have always been close. The events these past few weeks have made their bond even stronger. I tried to give him a quick kiss before hitting the concession stand, but in true Lane fashion, he had no problem displaying his affection for me. It was toe curling, panty melting, and swoonworthy. Him in his gear, looking like the cowboy he is. Tall, dark, rugged, and he’s all mine. And the best part is he has no problem showing everyone in the arena I’m his.
“You can do this, baby.” I pick up the necklace around my neck, holding it in my hand, a new adornment Lane surprised me with this morning. The gold heart-shaped pendant is smooth in texture and has a diamond in the center. But on the back, well, that’s the showstopper. Lane had our initials engraved as well as Always. I swear he has been full of surprises lately. When he came back from Colorado with Lawson, the trailer had a mare and a foal. Maple, a palomino quarter horse with her baby, Willow. I was starstruck, and every spare minute, you can find me with them. Of course, Rocky comes right along with us, and thankfully, I’m healed and not in any pain, so I can ride at a slow trot. Lane’s orders, overprotective worrywart that he is.
“He’s got this, Birdie.” The buzzer rings, it’s go time. The chute opens, and the bronc is already bucking, ready to throw Lane off him. My eyes stay locked on him the entire time, making sure his spurs are set above the horse’s shoulders until the horse’s front feet hit the ground after the first jump out of the chute. His gloved hand is holding on to the thick rein, keeping his body off the horse in order not to be disqualified. I hold my breath, watching as his white cowboy hat flies off on one particular nasty-as-hell buck. My eyes check the countdown in big red numbers. The crowd starts to go wild. Lane has five more seconds, and this horse is giving him a ride that I don’t like, but I know will help his numbers in the standings.
“Four, three, two, one,” the crowd chants together, and the buzzer goes off.
“He did it, folks! Lane Johnson, coming in with a score of ninety-five point five, taking first place.” I’m out of my seat and rushing toward the railing as Lane jumps off the horse. A rodeo clown hands him his white felt cowboy hat. He takes it, saying a quick thank-you without so much as a sideways look. Lane’s eyes are on mine, and he’s moving quickly. His sole focus is on me, not the crowd cheering, not the arena workers slapping him on the shoulder and congratulating him on an epic ride.
“Lane.” I’m laughing and crying at the same time.
“Baby, come ’ere.” His hands meet the outside of mine, he’s lifting himself up, and I’m getting with the program when one of his leaves the metal bar and goes behind my neck, pulling me to his lips. I dip my head and let Lane have his way with my mouth, much like he does with my entire being. A sigh leaves me, and Lane uses it to gain entrance. He takes over, dominating the kiss. My eyes close, and I enjoy the adrenaline he has pumping through his body, knowing the minute we’re alone, Lane is going to have me naked and bent over the nearest available surface. “Fuck, I gotta get back.” Lane pulls back, and the crowd is going wild in the distance.
“Okay,” I whisper in a daze. Arrowleaf may be small, but we sure do have a lot of townspeople, and the rodeo attracts others from the surrounding areas. I can feel my cheeks flame with heat.
“Always, Birdie, always.” He plants another kiss on my lips, hops down, and takes off to the other side of the arena to get out of the way for the next event.