Page 24 of Before You Can Blink
Murph’s chin dipped toward the ground. “White sneakers gave you away. They won’t last the night in this dirt.”
“Oh!” With wide eyes, she peeked at her footwear.
“Then it’s a good thing I’m here.” Layla joined our small group, stepping right up to Daisy and linking their arms together. “These boys have to get ready for their rides anyway, so what better way for us girls to kill the time than to go shopping?”
Since Layla had neglected to introduce herself, I did the honors. “Daze, meet Layla. She’s Murphy’s wife and helps to manage us both during the rodeo season.”
Layla began to tug Daisy away. “Don’t worry, honey, I already know all about you. Jett can’t go a single day without bringing up your name.” Over her shoulder, she shot us a look that was all business. “Stop starin’ at our asses while we walk away and get your heads in the game. We’ll see you after.”
Well, now that she said it, I couldn’t keep my eyes from dipping to watch the sway of Daisy’s rounded backside until it disappeared from view.
The heavy weight of Murph’s arm settled over my shoulders. “So, when’s the wedding?”
I shoved him off. “Don’t start with that shit. We’re only foolin’ around.” Dusting my hands off on my chaps, I added, “I’m not the marrying type.”
He chuckled. “Famous last words, brother. Said ’em myself once upon a time, and you know how that ended.” The gold band resting on his fourth finger caught the overhead lighting when he lifted his left hand.
“Nah, this is different. She’s still hoping to snag a teaching job back East, and you know I’m looking for a way out of Rust Canyon.”
Humming, he shot me a doubtful look. “Yeah, okay. We’ll see about that.”
For once, Murph couldn’t be more wrong. There was no future for me and Daisy. It just wasn’t in the cards. For either of us.
Heart thundering in my ears and sweat trickling down my spine, I gritted my teeth as the horse beneath me bucked, trying to unseat me. Eight seconds seemed to drag on forever as I focused on keeping my left hand raised above my head, while my right had a death grip on the riggin’.
My ass shifted an inch too far to the left, and panic coursed through my veins. I needed this ride to keep my place in the standings. After falling off last night, I couldn’t afford to come away with no score, making this weekend a total waste and netting a financial loss after entry fees.
Relief surged when the buzzer sounded, and when my boots hit the dirt, I took off running for the fence. Climbing up the rungs, I sat astride the top, eager to see my scores.
“Hell yes!” My fist shot into the air when the eighty-nine was revealed. Wasn’t my best, but it was more than enough to keep me in the running for the circuit finals in October. The pain of getting knocked out last year was still so fresh in my mind, so I was bound and determined to get another shot at competing for nationals.
Adrenaline buzzed beneath my skin, begging to be burned off, and luckily for me, there was someone in the stands who could help me do just that.
Motion caught my eye as Daisy rounded the corner of a horse trailer.
Oh, fuck. I wasn’t going to make it to the motel.
Cheeks flushed and eyes bright, my girl had changed from her cute little sundress into a white T-shirt that had her breasts threatening to spill out of the deep V at the neckline and jeans that looked like they’d been painted onto her mouthwateringly thick thighs, tucked into a pair of brand-new boots.
The country looked good on her.
“Come on.” I caught her hand before she could say anything, dragging her toward where my truck was parked. Borderline frantic to be inside her, I could barely manage more than a curt nod to my fellow riders who offered words of congratulations on my score as we rushed past them.
“Where are we going?” Daisy asked breathlessly as her short strides struggled to keep up with my much longer ones.
“Need you alone,” I bit out.
My vintage truck with its rounded hood and chipped paint job came into view, the finish line in sight. Panting after our mad dash across the rodeo grounds, I placed my hand against the exterior of the vehicle, my head dropping forward as I dragged in heaving lungfuls of air.
“You sure you’re all right, Jett?” Daisy was huffing and puffing just the same as me, but her soothing touch rubbed a path between my shoulder blades.
“I’ll be better in a minute,” I assured her.
Wrenching off my protective vest and unclipping my chaps, I left both discarded on the ground as I opened the passenger-side door of my truck and lifted Daisy in ahead of me.
She let out a squeal of surprise, her neck twisting to peek back at me when I used both hands on her waist to position her on all fours atop the bench seat before sealing us inside the cabin. With the sounds of the crowd and competition now muted, our harsh breathing was deafening in the small space.
“I can’t wait.” The gravelly words worked their way up my throat. “I wanted to take my time with you tonight, I swear. But it’s been so long, and these fucking jeans”—I ran my palm over the curve of her ass encased in denim—“have me about damn near ready to lose my mind.” I tossed my hat on the dash before practically begging, “Please tell me I can take you rough and quick to take the edge off, and I promise I’ll make it up to you when we get to the motel.”
