Page 93 of Downpour

Jo led me through the narrow corridor. The bar noise grew the closer we got to the ring. “Is that your man over there?” she asked as she pointed to Ray.

My body was electric with nerves. “Yeah.”

She smirked. “I’ll get Jenny to give you a good song to drive him crazy. Good luck out there.”

And just like that, I was on my own.

My heart was in my throat. Blood rushed in my ears, drowning out the roar of the crowd. Was this what Ray felt every time he got on the back of a bull?

It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Sure, he did it fully clothed. But he also performed in front of arenas packed with thousands of people.

Holy shit. He was so brave.

Somehow, I managed to get up onto the back of the mechanical bull. But when I looked up, I couldn’t find Ray in the crowd.

A sharp whistle pierced the air. I looked over and gasped. Ray was leaning against the side of the ring. His knuckles were white as he held on. A man in a cowboy hat carried a tall chair over so he could sit.

“Don’t worry,” Jo said from the controls as she stood beside Jenny. “Ryman’s got your boy.” She winked. “Give him a show.”

Spotlights swirled around, and the music started. I tried to copy what Jo had done, pushing my ass out and arching my back, but it felt awkward and disjointed.

I closed my eyes as the bull spun, squeezing hard with my legs.

It was like I could feel Ray’s hands holding me to the machine. His thumbs pressing into my spine, telling me to separate it from my hips in my mind.

Cool air danced across my chest, and the bar cheered.

Oh my god.They could totally see my boobs.

I caught Ray’s eyes when the bull turned and shuddered. I slid down the front with my ass in the air and held on tight as it shook back and forth. I recognized that whistle and holler. It was Ray’s.

It made me sit taller. Swing my hips more. Smile brighter. Throw my head back and laugh.

I wanted his gaze. I wanted his approval. I wanted him. All of him.

Somehow, I managed thirty seconds on the back of the bull before I was flung off. I landed in a pile of limbs and leather against the padded wall where Ray was seated.

“Brooke!” Worry and panic raged in my name as he leaned over the partition. “Baby, are you okay? Look at me. Are you hurt?”

I laughed, rolling onto my back and holding the vest closed. “I’m so good.”

I opened my eyes and watched the storm clouds break in his gaze. Ray let out a scared breath. “Fuckin’ terrified me,” he said quietly.

I scrambled up to my feet and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “How’d I do, champ?”

He reached over the wall and palmed my ass as he kissed me. “Like a firecracker, baby.”

Ray was waiting for me at the table when I came out of the dressing room with my clothes back on.

A thick white envelope was in his hand. “Looks like everyone else thought you were a star too.”

I laughed as I peeked inside, then almost choked at the stack of bills. “Damn.”

“You want to hang out and watch the band?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Honestly, I’d rather get out of here.”

---