Chapter 11
Shiloh
It’s been a long day, to say the least, and I’ve been in my own little world for most of it.
Last night kissing him was not my intention, but damn, it was just an impulse by how he stalked toward me, putting his hand on my neck and his silver eyes locked on mine.
Once my eyes trailed from his eyes to his lips, it was like someone pushed me into them and I couldn’t hold myself back until I realized what I was doing.
Damn, it felt good though. I felt that kiss all the way down my toes, and it made goosebumps form all over my body.
When I pulled back, I wanted more, wanted him to take me into his room and show me what else he was capable of because if that kiss was any indication that he knew exactly what he was doing, I don’t know what is.
I knew knocking on his door this morning, given how early it was, that he would probably be asleep. Everyone else was, but what can I say? I’m an early bird, and the early bird gets the worm. Did I expect him to answer the door in his fucking boxers? No. No, I did not.
He looked so damn good though. That full sleeve tattoo, six pack, tan skin.
I also noticed a big scar that trailed along his rib cage on the right side.
He has a cross chain necklace around his neck, and I also saw a cross tattoo on his left pec above his heart that had roman numerals under it that I couldn’t quite make out, and it looked new.
I wondered if it was for his mother. His sleepy eyes and the hair draping across his forehead made him all the more attractive.
Couple that with the beautiful beaming smile when I asked him to get some clothes on.
What can I say? I was observing, and I was entranced, to say the least.
It’s currently four p.m., and I am walking to the stall to saddle Riot when I hear a voice.
“Shiloh?”
I look up and see Tyler staring right at me. “Hey. Did you get back okay last night?” I ask, not really knowing what else to ask her.
“Yeah, I stayed in my trailer,” she says, pointing toward her rig.
I pinch my brows together. “You didn’t come with anyone?”
“No, I usually travel alone. I’m from Wyoming,” she replies.
“Small world, us too. What event are you in?” I ask.
“I barrel race and break away.” She smiles.
“Nice. Well, I got to grab my horse and get ready for the team roping. It was good to see you,” I say, trying to wrap it up. I don’t have girlfriends because honestly girls are so much drama, and right now with the situation with Verge that’s about all the drama this tomboy can take.
Instead of taking my subtle hint though, she follows me and starts talking. “So, are you with the bull rider or are you and Cross a thing?”
I chuckle, “No to both. Cross is basically a brother. We grew up together, nothing there I assure you,” I reply, grabbing my halter off the stall to grab Riot.
“And the bull rider?” She probes.
I sigh. “That’s complicated, but we are not together,” I say.
She nods before biting her cheek and then saying, “Okay, so Cross is fair game? That's what I’m hearing?”
“You go for it, girl. He seems to like you,” I reply, walking past her with Riot, and she follows me, putting her hands in her back pockets as she walks with me all the way to my trailer, taking a seat on the fender as I grab a brush and start brushing Riot out.
“So, what are you going to do about the bull rider?” She asks as if we have been friends for decades.
I stop brushing Riot and look at her. She’s beautiful. Her long brown hair is straight, and her blue eyes look so excited to even have someone to talk with. She seems lonely, in fact. So instead of being a bitch and or rude, I indulge her. Maybe girl talk is something I need.
“I really don’t know. I can’t be involved with a bull rider,” I sigh out.
“And why is that?” She asks, sitting back on the fender, taking her cowgirl hat off, placing it on her knee, getting comfortable.
“I watched my dad get trampled and killed by a bull when I was five, not really wanting to relive that,” I explain.
Her eyes grow wide as she looks over to me. “Shit, I’m sorry for your loss, that's rough,” she says, sincerity laced in her tone and remorse in her eyes.
I put the brush down, heading to the tack room to grab my pad and saddle, saying over my shoulder, “Thanks, it was a long time ago, but yeah, that’s why I’m trying to stay away.”
I throw my pad and saddle over Riots back, and I see her grin mischievously. Damn, maybe her and Cross are a match made in heaven because she has that damn look on her face just like he does before she says, “Trying?”
“Trying is a loose term,” I mutter.
She giggles before she stands, putting her hat on her head, walking over, petting Riot’s chest, looking over at me. “Oh, something happened. Spill,” she smirks as she leans over Riot's neck.
I don’t know why I’m considering telling her. I basically attacked him last night with my mouth, but I have been wanting to tell someone and Cross is not an option. He will blab.
“I may have kissed him last night,” I mutter as I tighten the cinch on my saddle, avoiding eye contact.
“Oh la la, was it good?” She asks, bouncing on her toes.
Pulling my stirrup down, I roll my eyes, but I can’t help my smirk, and she giggles, saying, “That look on your face is all I need.”
“Shut up,” I laugh while grabbing my bridle.
She winks. “Your secret is safe with me, babe. Let me go get my horse so we can warm up together. I think I'll be up soon anyways." She says, smiling, and she walks off.
I watch her walk off, and as she does Cross runs up beside her, and I smile at their exchange.
As much as I was trying to be alone and shrug her off, I think I like her, and I wonder why she’s all alone here.
If Cross decides to stick with her, I can’t say I’d be mad about it.
Hell, it’s only been a day and a half, who knows, but she’s really the only girl I’ve ever really had a girl talk with.
When I was a kid I always just hung out with the guys and never fit in with the girl crowd.
There aren’t many girl team ropers, and not that I hate on barrel racers at all, it just wasn’t my thing.
As I’m loping Riot in a circle, I see Verge standing at the bull chutes, scoping them out.
He shifts his gaze over to me as I circle, and I don’t miss it.
He smirks, winking at me before he turns his attention back to the other bull rider beside him he’s conversing with, and I stop, turning Riot the opposite direction, my eyes going back and forth between the path I’m making and the man plaguing my every thought.
Suddenly a palomino horse stops Riot in his tracks.
Pierce.
“Shiloh Hillard.” He smirks, looking at me, then over to Verge.
“Move, Pierce. There is plenty of ground here, and you don’t need to be over here in my way,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Oh don’t be like that, sweetheart. I just wanted to wish you luck,” he smoothly says and I roll my eyes, turning Riot around, and I see Tyler trotting up to us on her black horse.
“Well well, Tyler,” he says, eyeing Tyler as she rides up beside me.
“Fuck off, Pierce,” Tyler says, stopping her horse beside me, and I double over laughing because the look on his face is priceless.
“Wow,” he replies with an evil looking smirk growing across his face. I look at them both but don’t question how she knows him. He's such an ass. It’s hard to miss him.
“Move, motherfucker. She's not interested and neither is anyone else,” she quips, and I lose my shit laughing harder. Okay, I’ve decided I like her.
He purses his lips together, and he goes to open his mouth before I hear a voice behind us. “I’d think wisely about the words about to come out of your mouth, Drake.”
I turn around to see Verge standing there, walking toward us, and he puts his hand on my thigh, and his touch is electric but I keep it held together.
I look at Tyler now, who is smirking as she looks down at his hand on my leg, and I slip her the bird playfully where no one else can see, and she sticks her tongue out at me.
Pierce walks his horse closer to Verge and says, “Or what?”
Verge grabs his horse's reins, snatching them out of his hands before he says, “Or we will see how well you ride without your reins here. I reckon if I take this bridle off and give this fella a good smack on the ass, you’ll be the laughing stock of the rodeo grounds. What you think?”
Pierce’s jaw flexes before he shuts his mouth, and Verge hands him back his reins, saying, "That's what I thought.”
Pierce spins his horse around, loping off, and Tyler and I burst into laughter, and he looks back at me. “You two good?”
“Yeah,” I say, and he pats my leg, walking off.
“Girl, this complicated life of yours just got a hell of a lot more interesting,” Tyler giggles.
I sigh, looking over to her, trying to change the subject, asking, “So, where do you live in Wyoming?”
She shrugs, her eyes going distant before she says, “Here and there. I live in my trailer and board my two horses wherever I land. Suppose I’m a drifter if that’s what you wanna call it.” She looks at me smiling, but it doesn’t quite meet her eyes, but I don’t press her. We aren't that close yet.
“Well you’re welcome at our ranch anytime, no charge for your horses,” I say with a smile, and this time when she smiles back at me it is genuine.
“That’s so sweet, but I can pay my dues for sure. I’d like to follow yall back though. I’m growing pretty fond of your “basically brother” over there.” She smirks, using air quotes when she says basically brother, and Cross comes riding up on Havoc.
“Ladies,” he says playfully before he says, “Shiloh, we are second in the team roping, and there are only a few more barrel racers left.
“Shit,” Tyler shrieks, turning her horse toward the arena. “Give me,” she looks up, thinking before she says, “15.8 seconds and I’ll be back.”
She runs off, and Cross and I laugh, walking to the arena to watch her run.
“Tyler Drake, you're on deck, be thinking bout it,” the announcer says as Cross and I park our horses by the arena to watch.
As the racer before her hauls into the arena, I look at Cross and he smirks at me before I say, “I like her.”
His smile grows wider before he says, “Me too.”
“Don’t fuck it up,” I scold, and he puts his hand on his chest as if I just shot him before he says, “Me screw something up? Never.”
We laugh as the announcer comes over again. “Tyler Drake riding Venom at Dusk, come a runnin.”
Tyler holds her horse, who is hopping up and down in the alleyway.
She circles him around once, letting him loose, and Venom flies into the arena, circling each barrel, and I have to say I’m impressed.
She glides around each barrel like she's slicing through butter. Once she rounds the last barrel, Venom charges out. “15.876, wow, that’s a new arena record and the new time to beat.” The announcer booms over the speakers, and Cross and I raise our eyebrows at each other and laugh together.
“I think I’m in love,” Cross says as he watches her ride out of sight.
I laugh, pushing his shoulder, looking behind me to see Verge again talking with Beau. His eyes drift to mine, and my heart rate increases because I very well may be falling for someone I shouldn't be falling for.
Fuck.