Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights, #2)(40)

“Or what?” Grady challenged.

“Or I swear to God, you’ll answer to me.”

*

Janice showered quickly and then threw on her Dixie Chicks T-shirt before toweling her hair dry. She’d hung up the towel and was just about to rake a comb through her hair when a rap sounded on the door. Was it Dirk? His actions in the arena tonight had unsettled her. It was as if he’d dared the bull to gore him. The thought of it had made her knees buckle. All of her anger and resentment were washed away by a flood of fear. Try as she might to deny it, she still cared for Dirk.

“Janice? You ready?” Grady called through the door. “We gotta hustle to catch the second half.”

She had no plans of going out after the news she’d received from home, but she hadn’t told Grady. She answered the door, only realizing at Grady’s stunned expression that she wore only the T-shirt. She hadn’t even put underwear on.

“Wasn’t what I expected.” He grinned. “But I can sure dig the look.”

“I’m sorry, Grady, but I’m not going anywhere tonight.”

“Hey, I’m easy to please.” He didn’t wait for an invitation before stepping into the trailer. “I’m happy to stay in if that’s your preference. I’m sure we can find plenty to entertain ourselves.” His gray eyes raked over her meaningfully.

Janice felt a surge of irritation. “No. You don’t understand. Too much has happened tonight. The phone call from home. Seth Lawson killed by one of my bulls. I can’t even process it all—”

“You saying you wanna be alone?”

Did she? She had to think about that. No, she didn’t want to be alone. “I guess not,” she replied softly. “But I’m not good company right now.”

Grady’s hands came down on her shoulders. Janice fought the urge to shrug them off. He seemed too possessive all of a sudden. “Told you I’m here for you, Sweet Cheeks, and it looks like it’s gonna be just the two of us from here on out.”

“What do you mean?” she said. “What about Dirk?”

“He’s gone.”

“Gone? I don’t understand.”

“He packed up his shit and left as soon as his ride was done.” He patted his shirt pocket. “Didn’t even wait for his paycheck. Just got in his truck and split.”

“Did he go home to the ranch?”

“Don’t think so. He mumbled something about the ocean.”

“The ocean?” Janice was truly baffled. “What ocean? There isn’t any ocean in this part of the country.”

“Hell if I know what he meant. Does it really matter?” Grady asked. “He’s split and I’m here.” He put his arms around her, drawing her closer. She fought the impulse to push away, but it felt so good just to be held by somebody—even if his weren’t the arms she craved.

“No,” Janice whispered woodenly. “I don’t suppose it matters…not anymore.”

“It’s just you and me now, and I swear I’ll take real good care of you.”

“Take care of me? How?”

“I’m going to the finals in Vegas, Sweet Cheeks, and you’re coming with me.”

Janice stared at him speechless. “I don’t understand. What would you need me for?”

“The wedding, baby doll,” he replied with his cockiest grin. “After I win the World Championship, you’re gonna marry me.”

His words had stunned her into silence, and then his mouth had followed.

Passive and accepting, she’d just let it all happen.





Chapter 9


Las Vegas, Nevada

“When are they going to start, Mama?” Cody climbed to his feet and began bouncing up and down on his seat.

“Soon, Cody. Real soon. Please sit down. The people behind you can’t see.”

“I can’t see either. Where’s my daddy?”

“He’s not up yet, sweetheart. He’ll be riding later.”

“Why doesn’t he get to go first?”

“Because all the cowboys have to draw a number. It’s how they make it fair. They draw the bulls too, so we never know which cowboy is gonna ride which bull.”

“Daddy said he’ll win if he gets to ride that muverf*cker Gangbanger.”

Janice cringed as three heads turned to gape. “Cody!”

His eyes widened, completely unaware of his transgression. “What’d I do, Mama?”

“Nothing, baby.” She ruffled his red hair. “I’ll take it up later with your daddy.” It wasn’t Cody’s fault. He was just parroting Grady. He’d lusted after that bull for four years and tonight he’d finally get his wish.

Janice stared wistfully out across the dirt-filled arena to the bull pens, the place she’d once thought of as her second home, the world she’d left behind. Instead of standing in her old place behind the chutes, she now sat front and center at the Rank & Ready World Bull Riding Championships, surrounded by the wives and family members of the world’s top-ranked cowboys—most of whom chattered in Portuguese. The Brazilians had dominated the sport for years. She hoped tonight that Grady would change all that.