Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
Savvy.
I waited until the last trailer rolled out, the arena lights dimmed, and the voices faded into the distance. The night air was cooler now with the heat of the day finally giving way to a slight breeze. Most folks had gone home, including the ones who might ask questions if they caught me out here.
I moved quickly and remained quiet as I slipped into the stables. The horses stirred at my presence, but I was careful, making sure to soothe them with soft words and gentle hands. I already knew which one I was taking, Mirage. A black quarter horse with strong legs and natural instincts. He wasn’t a barrel racer by trade, but he was fast, and for now, that was enough.
I unlatched the stall and led him out. My pulse was steady as I moved through the shadows. The rodeo staff would lose their damn minds if they caught me but I wasn’t hurting the horse. In fact, he had been in the stables all day and could use a good ride. We both needed this but more than he did, I needed to feel what it was like to be out there.
I guided Mirage toward the small practice arena with my heart pounding as I adjusted the reins. The barrels were still set up from earlier. Three steel drums in a cloverleaf pattern were waiting.
I swung onto the saddle, settled in, and gripped the reins tightly. Mirage shifted beneath me, sensing my energy, and waited for the cue. I nudged him forward.
The moment he took off, my blood thrummed with electricity. The rush hit me fast and much stronger than I expected. We moved together, cutting around the first barrel sharp and smooth. The dirt kicked up beneath us. I leaned into the turn and guided him with my legs, urging him to go faster.
The second barrel came up quickly and I adjusted too late. Mirage hesitated, just a split second, but it was enough to throw the rhythm off.
Damn it.
I gritted my teeth and pushed through, leading him into the final turn. We rounded the last barrel cleaner and picked up speed toward the finish. By the time we were done, my chest was heaving and my heart raced from more than just the ride.
It wasn’t perfect but it was a start.
I reached down, running a hand along Mirage’s neck, feeling the heat of his body beneath my palm. “You did good, boy,” I murmured.
“That was impressive as fuck.”
The voice came from the shadows, smooth and sexy.
My stomach dropped.
I yanked back on the reins and my head snapped toward the sound. A tall figure leaned against the fence with arms crossed and a cowboy hat tilted low. Even in the dim light, I knew exactly who it was.
Destry.
I froze and every possible excuse for why I was out here unauthorized on a horse that didn’t belong to me scrambled through my head.
He pushed off the fence and walked toward me, easy and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world. “Didn’t take you for a rule breaker, Savvy.”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my face neutral. “What are you doing here?”
“Could ask you the same damn thing.”
My grip tightened on the reins. “Just getting a little practice in.”
“I see that.” He stopped beside Mirage, looking up at me with that cocky smirk that made my stomach tight and had my body very aware of how sexy he was. “But this isn’t your damn horse. You know if you get caught, they’ll fire you, right?”
I swung my leg over the saddle, preparing to drop to the ground but his hands were at my waist firm enough to help guide me down. “I wasn’t hurting anything.”
“Didn’t say you were.” He stepped back and his gaze shifted to the barrels, then back to me. “That was a damn good run though. You ever competed before?”
I hesitated. “No.”
Destry’s brows lifted slightly, like that answer surprised him. “Why not?”
I shook my head and avoided his gaze. “Because I never had the chance.”
He was quiet for a moment and when I finally looked up. He wasn’t smirking anymore.
“But you want one.”
I huffed and nodded. No need to lie.
“You serious about this?” he asked.
I squared my shoulders. “Yeah.”
His gaze held mine for what felt like forever and I got anxious. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face. “Alright, cool.”
I frowned. “Alright, cool what?”
He stepped back, tipping his hat. “You need a better horse.”
My pulse sprinted. “I don’t need?—”
“Mirage is good, but he isn’t built for barrels,” Destry continued, ignoring my protest. “If you’re serious about training, you need a horse that knows the pattern and a horse that knows you .”
I folded my arms. “And you just happen to have one lying around?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why would you help me with a horse?”
His sexy grin returned. “Because I like watching your pretty ass ride.”
Heat traveled up the back of my neck, but I refused to let him see I was bothered.
“You gonna tell on me?” I asked instead.
Destry tilted his head, considering me for a second too long. Then he grinned. “Guess that depends.”
I sighed. “On what?”
He took a step closer and lowered his voice just enough to sound even more sexy, like I needed more of that. “On how nice you are to me from now on.”
I rolled my eyes. “Unbelievable.”
Destry laughed. “Relax, sexy. Your secret’s safe with me.”
I didn’t trust him further than I could throw him but if he was offering a horse…I wasn’t about to say no.