Page 71 of All Night with the Cowboy
“Anywhere, I don’t care,” he said, smiling at her as he placed an arm around her.
“Can I have an autograph?!” A young boy raced over, and soon Tanner was surrounded by kids jumping up and down.
Lauren stepped back, watching him and loving that he was so friendly with his young fans. He laughed and signed posters and programs, talking away and admitting that today was his last ride as a professional bull rider. She knew how hard it must have been to admit that, to actually confess to someone other than her that he was officially in retirement now.
“Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand and waving goodbye to the crowd that had gathered behind them.
“Tanner, I’d love a drink and something decent to eat. Want to check out a cool little restaurant I read about online?” she asked, trying to play it cool so that he’d never guess what she had planned. He wouldn’t expecther to know anywhere to eat or drink in Georgia, and she didn’t want to give anything away.
“Ah, sure. Whatever you want.”
He no longer had his chaps and spurs on, but he was wearing his worn-in jeans and a plaid shirt, a few buttons undone at the front and his sleeves rolled up to show off deeply tanned forearms. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, and his hair was curling slightly around his ears. Lauren walked beside him, holding his hand, unable to take her eyes off the handsome man at her side.
“I love you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper as she pushed up to kiss him, nipping at his plump lower lip.
“I love you, too,” he replied, his smile starting at one corner of his mouth and slowly spreading to the other as he looked sideways at her.
She giggled and dipped her head to his, before falling back into step beside him and heading for the exit.
***
Tanner kept his arm tucked firmly around Lauren as they walked toward the restaurant she’d chosen. They’d taken a cab there, and he’d noticed how overly talkative she was. Maybe she was still on a high from attending her first PBR event or seeing him ride? It didn’t really matter why though, he was just pleased to have her by his side, happy as hell and talking a mile a minute.
He still found it hard to believe that they were together. That his career had just ended. That life was about to change forever, and that he surprisingly was fine with it all.
She tugged on his hand for a moment and he stopped, trailing a hand down her arm and wondering why she was giving him such a strange look.
“Kiss me,” she said, her smile infectious.
He bent to kiss her, hovering over her mouth once he’d finished. “Why do you look like the cat that got the cream?” he asked.
“Maybe you’re the cream,” she replied, sucking in her lower lip between her teeth, the way she always did when she was nervous or unsure.
He slapped her playfully on the bottom and grabbed her hand back, glancing up at the sign for Stone’s Cuisine & Cocktails. She was up to something, he just didn’t know what.
Tanner pushed the door open, holding it for her, and she hurried past him before stepping aside. Tanner went to say something, had opened his mouth, when he froze as the door shut behind him.
What the hell?
“Surprise!” Lauren murmured, sidling up beside him and pressing a warm kiss to his cheek. “Happy retirement, baby.”
Tanner was speechless as he looked at his family—all of them—sitting at a table, all sporting big grins and waving at him to come join them.
“You brought everyone here?” he asked, incredulous. “How did you convince them? How did you keep this a secret from me?”
She nudged him toward his family. “The secret was easy, and so was getting them all here. I don’t think you realize how much they all love you.”
He laughed. “Or how much they’re all thrilled I’ve retired.”
Mia was on her feet first, arms extended, and Tanner bent to give her a big hug.
“That was a great final ride, Tan,” she said, squeezing him tight. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Of course you are,” he replied, “you were always my number-one fan!”
Sam stood up beside his wife, hand extended. “Great ride.”
“You all bothered to come to Georgia for me?” Tanner said, shaking his head as he clasped his father’s hand. “Hell, I thought pigs would be more likely to fly than get all of you to watch me on a bull.”
