Page 8 of Lady Luck's Kiss
The gate was opened and that is when Charlie realized that there had been other riders already that she had missed. She had been fascinated with the cowboy and the experience. Her entire body clenched with tension as she saw him fly out of the corral towards the center of the arena.
Massive lumbering kicks, twists and jumps were all used in an effort to toss the rider. Staring, she saw that he was on the bull…but barely so! He looked like a limp rag doll as he was tossed about.
She was surprised to see his legs still locked around the bull and that his spine had not snapped by the force he was being thrown. She heard a buzzer faintly in the background and gasped as Jack jumped off the bull. He landed directly beneath it as its back legs were in mid-jump. Rolling, he was then taken to safety as he waved to the crowd.
Charlie let out her breath she had been holding for what seemed like forever.
Turning, she vaguely saw Beth’s smiling face and barely heard any of the announcements. This was NOT for her. The danger, the anticipation, the fear? It was all too much. Her stomach was rolling in anxiety and nerves, all for a handsome stranger she didn’t know. Staring at the crowd, she was shockedto see so many smiling faces at the ride. Didn’t they realize that he was in danger and could have been hurt? Gesturing at her half-empty beer boot, she used it as an excuse to leave the arena.
Once Charlie was in the hallway, she ran down the corridor for the nearest ladies’ room. Pushing open a stall, she promptly threw up the beer she had drank.
Rinsing her mouth, she texted Beth shakily.
Sick…
I’m going to walk around for a bit.
You ok?
Yeah-have fun.
OMW girl! B there in 2
Seeing Beth come around the corner in a panic, Charlie smiled wanly at her. “I’m glad the tickets were free, because this is not my cup of tea.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, it’s just…Beth! People can get killed doing that. I thought it was going to be horses running around, and some cows! Not a ‘fling the hottest guy I’ve ever met and try to beat him to a pulp’ kind of event. He must be insane to do this for a job!” she exclaimed, flabbergasted and horrified. “I love the shops, the food, the sight and smells – but in there?” she said tossing a thumb over her shoulder forcefully, “Thatis not for me!”
Nodding, Beth wrapped a sympathetic arm around her shoulders. “C’mon, Miss Priss. This isn’t the end of the event or the world, you know? There is a dance, more shops to see and things that might actually appeal to you. Who knew you’d be so soft-hearted?”
Allowing herself to be led away, Charlie glanced over her shoulder wistfully at the doorway. She hated to leave and felt like she was abandoning something necessary behind her. But the idea of seeing anyone get hurt bothered her. She understood why the announcer gave out the warnings of possible blood or injury. She was just thankful she had seen neither tonight.
5
JACK
JACK
Lady Luck had lefthim - in more ways than one,Jack thought morosely as he tried to stop the ringing in his ears from being shaken so hard.
Sitting on the metal bench, he held his head in his hands and pictured that wicked, red smile that enchanted him. The woman named Charlie that had caught his eye was no longer in the seats. In fact, there were two seats empty where she had once been standing.
He had been certain tonight that he’d end up on a stretcher or in the hospital when they told him he was riding Vamp. That bull had gored and stepped on more men than he had ever seen. It was a vicious, scared creature and really needed to be put out to breed instead of competing. He thought that another cowboy, Scott McDaniels, had been killed two weeks ago when he took a direct kick to the ribs from Vamp. Jack’s whole body ached from trying to hang on and he was pretty sure that he’d split his palm under his glove and dreaded removing it.
… Even his teeth were rattled at this point.
Jack had fully intended to go back to where Charlie had sat to see if he could get her phone number. He’d never been one to pick up women at a rodeo, yet he had seen several other cowboys do so. Taking a page from their books, he had used a pickup line in order to even get close to the goddess he had seen from the ground.
The woman was stunning in a simple way.
He had spotted her out of the crowd instantly when he had gone through the entrance. No elaborate makeup, no fancy dress. Just simple and feminine to the core. The way she smiled and looked at him was utterly charming. That red lipstick she wore complemented her skin tone so well, he didn’t even realize it was on her until she kissed his hand.
She actually kissed his hand!
Talk about role reversal…?
That surprised him and inspired him to have her give him another kiss. Even if it turned out to be a very modest one. That good luck peck on the cheek had worked wonders and felt the same way. When her lips pressed on his face, he felt a surge of happiness that he didn’t expect.
