Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(5)

“Shit!” I grunted between clenched teeth.

I didn’t need to be told to let go. I hit the ground on my side, half not realizing I’d fallen at all, hopped up like I was on springs, and ran for my life, seeing a monstrous brute with horns, red eyes and steam chasing me down.

I had a tendency to overreact.

“Wrong way!”

I twisted mid-stride, and kept running, now the opposite direction. I was pretty fast, and in my workout clothes, so I hit that gate and risked a glance back.

The bull was hopping at the other end of the enclosure, by itself, completely unconcerned about its former rider. The boys were all bent over laughing.

William came over, still chuckling, with a big smile. He hugged me tightly and walked me back to the other guys, now huddled around and mocking me.

“How long was I on?” I panted.

“Oh-hh, about three seconds.”

“That’s hard.”

“Yup. You did well, though. You moved well on it.”

“How’r ya doin’?” Adam asked as we approached.

“Good,” I said, nodding as I sucked air. “My arm feels like it was pulled out of my body, and I’ll probably be sore tomorrow, but other that it was fun.”

“The first ride. I hope someone got a picture,” Ty said as an afterthought, looking around the smiling group of young guys and their fathers.

“A’right everyone,” William said as Adam helped me take off my gear. “That is it for tonight. Next month we’ll do it again for all wanting practice.”

There were nods and words of thanks. The young boy that helped me at the chute came up with some Ben Gay. “Here, you’ll need this. It’ll help with the soreness.”

“Oh thanks. I’m Jessica by the way.”

“Hank.”

“Hi Hank. Thanks again.”

“No sweat, girl. Takes some balls to get up on a bull. Not many girls do it.”

“I heard only the dumb ones.”

“That’d be ‘bout right, that would. Ha. That’d be ‘bout right.”

He said good-bye and hurried away. Everyone was clearing out.

Ty and Adam sauntered over with a big “I feel manly!” sign on their heads. They joined William, which was standing by me.

“Night cap at Tommy’s?” Ty asked. It sounded like a ritual.

William turned to me, his eyes smoldering in the dim light. I could see the promise emanating, sparking the anticipation.

“Nah, probably not tonight. I gotta go see about a horse,” he said, turning back to the boys.

“Jeez, Jessie, he ain’t all that flattering, huh?” Adam said with a smirk.

Ty was chuckling as he turned away. “‘Nite,” was all he said.

At the truck, William turned me toward him before opening my door. He slid his hands around my waist. “Sorry about that.”

“You mean, about talking to me like a child in front of my peers?”

“Yes.”

“Apology accepted. Please don’t do it again. I am stubborn, but will be receptive if you address me like an adult.”

“Understood. I was scared for you. Finally got you and didn’t want to lose you, you know?”

I nodded. He pulled me tight against him. “Man, you have a temper on you, though.”

“Can we go now?”

He kissed my neck languidly before saying, “Yeah, I just have to turn off the lights. I’ll meet you in the truck.”

It was like my stomach had fallen asleep, and was now waking up. It felt like pins and needles with a background of washing machine. I was getting nervous about later on. I knew we would be getting down to business, but for some reason it felt as though I had never done it before. It felt like my first time. Maybe it was all the dreams and longing and wanting, but I was a little frightened that it wouldn’t live up to expectation. He was a good kisser, and gentle, and I really liked him, so signs pointed to it being great, but you never knew.

Especially in anything where I was a participant.

“How’s the arm?” he asked as he climbed in. The whole truck smelt like Ben Gay.

“Hurts a little, but nothing serious.”

“I remember being sore all the time when I was learning. Still get sore sometimes with a particularly rough bull.”

“You are good.”

“Thanks. I had to give it up to focus on business, but I had a good go of it for a time.”

We got back to the ranch house. As we were getting out of the truck, he asked, “Do you want to go in the hot tub to try and relax your muscles?”

Did his voice quiver? Or was it just my ears that were quivering? Like the rest of my body.

“That would be fantastic,” I breathed, pushing my thoughts aside.

We walked into the house from the garage. It was well furnished with expensive paintings and other art, while still maintaining a country feel. Someone was an expert decorator. We went down a hallway into a large room.

“This is where I stay when I'm here,” William declared, looking around.

It was a big room with a king sized bed, a sitting chair with a lamp in the corner, and a fireplace.

“Nice. It’s big.”

“Most of the rooms here are big. Why not? One thing this ranch has is plenty of space. I’ll show you around tomorrow.”