Page 92 of Downpour

I nodded. “I want you to see me.”

He cupped my jaw and turned my face, leaning in to brush his lips against mine. “You’re pure sunshine. There’s no way I could miss you.”

The crowd erupted in applause as the rider finished her performance.”Let’s hear it for Jo Reed!” the bartender announced into the microphone.

My vision was blurred as Ray pulled away from the kiss so we could clap for her.

“The ring is open. Automatic cash prize if you last more than thirty seconds, and a generous crowd ready to tip for a good show, if you catch my drift.”

I chewed on my lip and peered at the empty ring.

“You gonna try it?” Ray asked, running his hands up and down my legs.

I wanted to. It looked so exhilarating and carefree. I’d never tried anything like it before. The way Jo—the first rider—looked when she was up there was something I wanted.

To feel powerful.

“I’d probably fall off,” I said.

“I think you want to,” he murmured. “I can watch you from here.”

“I can’t do backflips. I’d break my neck.”

Ray chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t recommend breaking your neck. It sucks.” His stubble brushed against my skin as he kissed behind my ear. “But if you want to try, there’s nothing stopping you.”

“You’re okay with me taking my top off in front of a crowd of strangers?”

“I’m fine with you doing whatever makes you happy. Life is short. Shake your tits and have a good time.”

I leaned into him, soaking up his strength.

“Can I give you a piece of advice?” he murmured. “Don’t count. Just breathe.”

My body felt numb as I pushed my way through the crowd and flagged down the bartender. She whisked me into a back room where Jo, the girl who had ridden first, helped me put on a pair of chaps. I looked over my shoulder at the mirror on the wall and studied the way my butt peeked out of the assless chaps.

“Oh my god, you have an amazing body. You’re gonna kill it out there.”

I pressed my hand against my bra. “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

She grimaced. “You haven’t had a lot to drink, have you? If you vomit on the mats, you’ll have to clean it up.”

“Just a beer.”

“That’s perfect. A little buzz is good. Tequila shots, not so much.”

“Solid life advice.”

“You gonna show your tits or keep your bra on?” Jo asked as she held out the vest.

I looked at the vest. “What would you do?”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I pay my bills this way. There’s no shame in going all the way or just dipping your toes in the water. It’s your body, your decision.”

Fuck it.

I pulled my bra off and slipped my arms into the vest. “Let’s do this.”

“Hell yeah!”

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