Page 74 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
“OMG! It’s Ava Noa, the famous pop star,” he exclaims loudly.
Ava, who hadn’t seen him yet, is startled but smiles when she recognizes him. “Beck!”
“And she knows my name,” he cheers before pulling her from my arms and picking her up.
He twirls her around, making her laugh while I stand there counting down from ten, reminding myself that this is just Beck being Beck.
Eventually he sets her down and holds her at arm’s length. “Hello there, Miss Diva. Long time no see—don’t you look delightful.”
“Don’t call her that,” I grumble, pulling her back to my side.
“Thank you, Beck,” she gushes.
Beck looks at my arm around her shoulders, his eyes widening as he points an accusatory finger at us. “Are you two—?” he asks, his voice trembling as if scared of the answer.
Why does he have to be so theatrical?
Ava blushes and nods in confirmation. “Yes.”
He claps dramatically, shaking his head in disappointment. “Oh wow. To be honest, I always knew you would end up with the Morgan last name, but of all four brothers, you just had to go for him,” he mocks.
“And you are the better option?” I scoff.
“In all ways, big bro,” he grins proudly, then turns to Ava. “I’m happy for you, but if you ever change your mind, an upgrade is right here waiting for you,” he declares, pointing at himself.
Ava giggles and nods. “Noted, but I think I’ll stick with him.”
“Good luck to you then,” he nods at her, then turns to me. “You’re one lucky motherfucker, big brother.”
“I know. Now get out of my sight before I send you back to a different kind of hospital than the one you just came from,” I threaten.
He points the half-eaten drumstick at me but runs off when I lunge at him. When he’s a good distance away, he turns around and walks backward, giving me a mock salute before disappearing into the living room.
I turn to Ava, my arms crossed over my chest. “Stick with me, huh?”
She nods bravely. “You heard him—I have options.”
“You do, huh?” I challenge as I stalk toward her.
She takes a few steps back and ends up trapped between me and the wall behind her. Her courage wavers and she chuckles, lifting her hands up in surrender. “Okay, I give up. You’re my only option.”
“And you will do well to remember that,” I assert as I take both her hands into one of mine and pin them above her head.
Pressing my body against her, I pinch her chin to make her look up at me before slamming my lips on hers. She groans at the intrusion but slacks her jaw, opening her mouth to welcome me. This kiss isn’t meant to be sweet—it’s to assert dominance, to let her know who she belongs to.
When I pull away, her lips are red and bruised. Perfect.
“You’re mine,” I growl, kissing her forehead.
“Yours,” she affirms with a satisfied gleam in her eyes.
I take her hand and lead her to the dining room where everyone is gathering for dinner. It’s been a while since things were this lively in the Morgan household, and honestly, I’m happy to see it. The only one missing is Ryder, but he did send me a message earlier congratulating me on my win and apologizing for missing today’s celebration. I’m just glad to know that he’s alive—with him, you never know.
“If I knew it’d take Ava being back here to drag you back to some sort of normalcy, I’d have asked Ella to invite her here years ago,” Jace says as he settles down next to me.
Ava’s attention is on Ella, who is seated on the other side of her, so she’s not privy to our talk.
“Normal?” I question.
