Chapter 34 Lucy
Iknow Reese is nervous about qualifiers, and so am I, so I talked Spencer and Heath into coming with me to watch. It didn’t take much convincing for Briar, she was on board before the words passed my lips.
Spencer once told me that a man in dark wash jeans and leather chaps fucks with his brain, and I’ll be damned if it isn’t true for me too. The arena’s not too full, but give it an hour or two and people will fill the stands.
Reese stands out among the fray down below, tall, and towering over the rest of the crew.
His hat’s pulled low over his brow so I can’t see his eyes, only his mouth.
Even from here I can see that he’s smiling, kneeling down low to high five some of the younger riders.
They always go first to leave the main evening event for the big boys, but it’s no less exciting, the familiar rush of watching feels different somehow though, and it has everything to do with the man I can’t keep my eyes off of.
When the little riders squeal in the arena from joy, and come running out to hug him and Mason, my face damn near splits in half from my smile. Lin’s in the chutes, the littles are her babies, so she’s there to keep them safe and pump them up.
Spencer sits beside me, nudging me with his shoulder. “You know the show’s in the arena, right?”
His chuckle makes me blush and I knock into his shoulder. “You were just as bad not too long ago.”
“Touché,” he chuckles, as Heath and Briar join us with snacks.
“We brought snacks!” Heath shouts.
“Did you buy one of each thing they offer?” I ask, eyes rounding at the trays filled to the brim with snacks.
Briar’s got a tray loaded with all the junk food including nachos, hot dogs, fries, even chicken wings.
I didn’t realize those were available here.
Heath’s got beer, and a soda for Briar, along with cotton candy dangling from his fingers.
Heath stands in front of me frozen when he realizes he brought three beers, smashing his lips together he looks at his boots. “Shit, Loo I–”
“It’s okay,” I interrupt. I don’t expect them to curb their delights on account of my addiction, that wouldn’t be fair to them. “In fact…”
I smile and take the glass, giving Heath a reassuring smile that he returns. I know just the person who would enjoy this beer and I’m more than happy to bring it to him. The light beer smells divine, and the white foam layer is thin and perfect. I haven’t craved a drink this badly since I quit.
But I’m stronger than my addiction.
His eyes track my movements as I make my way toward him. Lips tipping up in a wolfish smile I’ve come to recognize means he’s thinking inappropriate things and fuck me. I think I want everything he’s thinking.
“Goldie,” he murmurs against my ear, wrapping one arm around my waist and pulling me into his front. “Are you tryin’ to kill me in those jeans?”
Placing a quick shift of his lips on my temple he accepts the beer taking a nice long pull. His throat moves and I want to reach up and taste him.
“Lucy,” he warns, only it sounds like a plea. “You can’t look at me like that, not here where I can’t do a damn thing about it.”
I smirk, “What do you mean?”
He looks down at me, as if I should know. I do. I just want him to say it.
“You’re lookin’ like you’re ready to do unspeakable things to me,” he growls so low I almost miss it.
“Unspeakable, huh? I was going for more… indecent, I’ll have to try harder.”
With his attention solely on me, I make sure to swing my hips a little more when I walk away. Swinging my hair to look over my shoulder I catch him staring, and he’s doing nothing to hide it.
Climbing the stands back to my seat, Heath gives me a cheeky wink and Spencer shakes his head.
“I guess that’s one way to do it,” Spence says with a chuckle.
“Not that I have to worry,” I smile. Reese isn’t a man who plays games, I’ve learned that over our numerous phone calls. He’s sincere in his words, everything he says has meaning, and he makes sure to tell me how obsessed he is.
“His eyes haven’t left you since you walked up,” Heath says.
“Careful, Heath, you sound flustered.” I jibe, and Briar laughs.
“Pops is thirsty,” she quips and all of our mouths drop. Heath knocks her in the shoulder while Spence flicks the tip of her ear.
“Hey!” She squeals, tapping their knees with her hands. “Tell me I’m wrong!”
“You’re not,” Heath shrugs while Spence says, “You’re wrong.”
They look at each other and fall into hysterics before kissing.
“You’re gonna pay for that tonight, Cowboy.”
“I’m countin’ on it, Daddy,” Heath groans and Briar gags playfully.
My heart could burst at the happiness my brother and niece have found in Heath.
Briar leans back from the seat in front of me, situating herself between my legs and makes exaggerated heart eyes at me. “Uh, Aunt Loo, your man’s comin’ over.”
Reese climbs the stands and offers his hand to Spence. “Spencer, good to see you again,” he smiles and Spence stands to shake his hand.
“Same to you, though I admit I didn’t think you’d remember me.” Spence grumbles, as if Reese would be likely to forget that particular meet cute where I bled all over him.
“I’ve heard a lot about y’all recently,” Reese says as he takes the empty seat to my left. Putting his hand on my knee he squeezes and a whole swarm of bees erupts in my stomach.
“Only good things I hope.” Spence laughs at the same time Heath blurts, “None of it’s true.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Goldie utter anythin’ ill about anyone,” he says and my cheeks flame.
Spence has… and Briar. I remember saying some pretty nasty things about Heath before I got to know him too. I’m not a Saint.
We all laugh and Reese smiles, “I wanted to come over and introduce myself while I had a minute. All of the youngins’ are done, now we wait for the teenagers.”
Conversation doesn’t stop after that, Spence and Heath ask a lot of questions, most pertaining to R&M Ranch. None about Levi, which I’m thankful for, and Briar asks about how Colt’s doing, to which Reese smiles and promises he’s just fine.
He fits right in with the most important people in my life, and for the first time in a long time, I’m dreaming about a life with a man who really gets me. I’m not afraid of what he could do to me, or take from me. I’m not afraid to let him in.
The realization shocks me so much I zone out for a few minutes, and only rejoin the conversation when Reese gently lays his hand on my knee.
“I’m gonna go check on ‘em. They tend to get amped up before a ride,” Reese says, looking at me. “Walk with me?”
I nod slow, caught in how fucking beautiful he is.
Grabbing my hand he promises to return me to my family once we’re done, and leads us down the stands.
His boots stomp over the concrete, all the way down to the packed dirt around the arena.
His chaps squeak every now and again as he walks, but the whole way he doesn’t let go of my hand.
Even when people are milling about waiting for the next event to start.
There’s a tunnel up ahead, but instead I pull Reese toward a short hallway I know will bring us to a wall of trailers settled right outside the arena.
“Goldie, what are we doin’ here? ” He’s breathless as if the walk took everything out of him. “You have to know I’m dyin’ to peel you out of those jeans, but I’m a gentleman–”
I don’t let him finish, instead I leap into his arms and plant my lips on his. He catches me, hands spread out squeezing my ass. Pulling me as close as he physically can, while my arms loop around his neck, he kisses me. The head tilting, toe curling, butterflies swarming, kind of kissing.
He rumbles into my body, pressing my back against one of the trailers. Stepping between my thighs and lifting me up by my ass he grinds his pelvis into mine, electricity zaps up my spine as my core heats.
“Too much,” I gasp, swallowing down the needy cry I want to wail instead.
He stops, pulling his hands from my body but not stepping back, leaving me suspended against the trailer by his hips. His jaw flexes and his forehead meets mine. “I’m addicted to you Goldie, one taste will never be enough.”
“I just–”
“Do you trust me, Goldie?”