Page 36 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
“I wouldn’t hurt a fly,” he whispers.
No, I doubt he would, but he could hurt me and probably doesn’t even know it.
His hands creep up to my chest, and the heat of his palms presses into my skin through my shirt. “It’s not the time for this, Gabe.” My fingers flex on his ass, completely disagreeing with my statement.
“I’m going to go with it's only because we’re outside with horses and not something else. Don’t shoot me down again, cowboy. My ego might not recover.” Gabe’s voice wavers, but his gaze doesn’t.
Despite the swirl of mixed emotions, my voice remains firm as I squeeze his ass one last time before gripping his chin firmly. His pretty lips part, and I resist running a thumb across them. “I’m not shooting you down. You do things to me, Gabe, and I need to wrap my head around what it means.”
“I have time.” Gabe grips my wrist and pulls my hand from his chin. He feathers a kiss on my wrist that makes my knees quake. “I’ll wait for you.”
Then he drops my wrist and spins away so quickly I’m left rooted to the spot while I watch his broad back retreat to Dixie.
Wait for me? I’m not sure what he means, but I hope I can figure it out.
eleven
Gabe
This is my third time at Kissing Ridge Rodeo, and it might just be my favourite.
Is it because I’m here with my fake husband, being paraded around like a show pony? Probably.
It’s the most attention Hunter has shown me since he took me on my first-ever horseback ride last week. What I wouldn’t have done to have him fuck me against a tree right then, but something profound shifted with him that day. Maybe in me, too, but there was no way I’d push him to do something he didn’t want.
I meant it when I said I’d wait.
Hunter is worth waiting for. I might die of blue balls waiting, but I’m willing to take the risk.
“This man is Neill Dunn. He sponsors the rodeo. I’ll talk you up,” Hunter whispers near my ear, and I want to tell him I can promote myself now, but it’s too late.
“Mr. Burke! I heard a rumour you tied the knot. Is this the lucky gentleman?”
Sparkling blue eyes set on me as Hunter laughs. “Ropers can’t tie knots, Mr. Dunn. Unless it’s a quick release. But yes, you heard right.” Hunter slides his palm to the small of my back. “This is my husband, Gabe Davis. He’s a lawyer here and one of the best.”
I extend a hand to the man, who shakes it with a warm smile. “Pleasure to meet you, sir. I’d say I’m the lucky one, though. Lawyers can be hard to live with.”
He laughs and smiles at my joke. “I’ll let you two debate on who is luckier, but I think it’s a draw. I don’t mean to talk business at a fun event, but I need to when the opportunity is right in front of me. If you have a business card, Gabe, I’d love to chat with you about some rodeo things. If you’re married to this man, it’s part of your life now, so you’ll understand.”
Fishing into my pocket, I pull out my wallet for a card and hand it to him. “Business happens everywhere, and I’d love to help, Mr. Dunn.”
He tucks my business card into his front pocket, still with a friendly smile, and I one-hundred percent like the guy.
“Good luck today, Hunter. I’m looking forward to seeing you roping again. Young Levi needs a mentor, and you’re just the man for it.”
Hunter dips his head with a murmured thank you, and Mr. Dunn squeezes his shoulder before leaving us be.
“I can’t wait to watch you today,” I say and tug on his belt loop.
Hunter turns his smouldering gaze on me, and my heart rate jumps under his attention.
“Is that right? What if I fuck it all up?”
“You won’t. But if you did…” Boldly, I tug him closer to me. Close enough to lean in and kiss, which I want to do badly. “If you did, you’d still be a champion to me.”
His gaze flicks to my mouth, and his tongue peeks out to wet his lips. “Good to know, counsellor. Maybe you should kiss me for good luck.”
“Just for luck? Or something else?”
