Page 68 of Untamed

Boone looks me dead in the eyes, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips. “Cause there ain’t no one out there dumb enough to hit that more than once. Except for you that is,” he adds, guffawing so loudly, it makes my teeth grind together.

As much as it fills me with rage, Boone is right. I was dumb enough to get sucked in by the viper.

But never again.

I’ll make sure of it.

The bright lights of the arena glare down on me.

Day has turned into night, and the bleachers are packed with spectators eagerly waiting for the main event. The atmosphere hums, a living, breathing thing, buzzing through my veins. The adrenaline coursing through my body pulls me back to a time I tried to forget—but now I welcome it.

“Grady, you’re up in ten.” Maverick’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

I nod, pushing off the fence, noting the way adrenaline pumps through my veins in a way I haven’t felt in a while. I’ve watched the last couple of competitors, trying to size up the competition. The standard is pretty much the same as when I was on the circuit. There are a couple of young bucks with serious talent, but they don’t worry me. It’s been four years since I was forced to walk away, but I know one thing for sure. I’mstill damn good. And I’m gonna show everyone here that Colter Grady is back and I’m not messing around.

I turn and head toward the holding chute, but a firm clap on my back stops me. I glance over my shoulder, to see Leroy standing there, a big, almost proud, grin on his face. “Good luck, man. You’ve got this.”

My throat tightens. Leroy’s one of the few people I can count on at Oakridge—well, aside from Mila of course. He annoys the hell out of me most of the time, but right now, I appreciate the support more than I’d like to admit.

“Thanks,” I mutter, shooting him a half smile before continuing on my way.

Words of encouragement hit my ears as I walk, but I block them out, focusing solely on the job. I don’t just want to win tonight; Ineedto win. Not just for me, but to prove to Lincoln that I’m the best cowboy he could have on his team.

Arriving at the bucking chute, I stick my hand through the metal bars, stroking down the young bronc’s neck. It snorts, shifting from side to side, clearly ready to go.

“Hey man, you ready?” one of the flank men asks, his voice cutting through the noise of the crowd.

I nod, my focus narrowing as I climb the metal fence, and carefully lower myself onto the saddle. My grip tightens on the braided rope attached to a leather halter. Just like I knew it would, the colt’s body tenses, its muscles bunching as harsh snorts escapes its nostrils and it jumps from side to side. I stroke its neck, trying to calm it, though I know it’s pointless.

The crowd erupts into cheers. I glance up at the scoreboard, catching the previous competitor’s score flashing on the board. It’s high, I’ll give him that, but I know I can beat it.

“Ready?” someone shouts from the other side of the chute.

Nodding, I raise my left hand, signaling that it’s go time. Before I can even think another thought, the chute swings open,and the bronc shoots out so fast, I almost lose balance. If I don’t regain control now, this’ll be over before I want it to be. Not only embarrassing me but also Mila, who fought hard to get me here.

With every ounce of strength I possess, I manage to right myself, gripping tightly with my thighs while raking the colt from shoulder to flank with my dull spurs. The move only spurs the horse on harder, faster, and I grin, feeling the thrill surge inside me. Though I nearly fucked it up, I’m back in the game. The rush of the adrenaline, the chaos of the crowd, the sheer danger—it all feels like coming home.

The sound of the buzzer reaches my ears, faint but unmistakable and I know I’ve beaten the other competitors’ times. But still I hold on, not wanting this moment to end. I’m in my element, my hand in the air, heels raking the animal’s sides as I try to push it higher, faster, and riding the high of being back in the saddle.

Then, just as I feel like I can conquer the world, it all comes crashing down. The bronc bucks violently, throwing me so high I have no other choice but to let go, to fall.

My body hits the ground with a thud, a hard grunt escaping my lips, but before I can even process the pain, the pickup men are already there, hauling me to my feet and firing off questions.

All I can do is smile.

Fuck, that felt good.

Chapter Forty-Three

MILA

Colter won.

He won the competition just as I had hoped he would.

A rush of pride and happiness, unlike anything I’ve felt before, surges through me as I watch him soak in the glory from my spot on the bleachers. After everything Colter has been through, he deserves this win more than anyone.

“Damn, he’s hot right? And exactly where he’s meant to be. It will only be a matter of time before he’s back between my thighs.” The words hit my ears like a slap, and the breathless, feminine voice immediately makes me tense.

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