Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(108)

Chase curled his hand around her jaw, forcing her to meet his blue gaze. “And where would I live if I relocated to LA?”

She didn’t hesitate. “With me.”

A couple of seconds passed before he kissed her hard. Twice. “I’ll take it under consideration.” He slipped his hand into hers and tugged her closer. “Now can we watch the damn rodeo?”

When bull riding started, he gave her space to tape.
Taz stayed on and ended up with a score of eighty. Two other riders reached the eight-second mark but scored below seventy-nine. Three riders hit the dirt and Ryan was up next.
Chase got a little fidgety when the gate opened and Ryan and the bull burst into the arena. “Come on,” Chase said under his breath. “Follow his switch. That’s it. Just a little longer… Yes!” He whistled loudly and faced Ava. “That’s about an eighty-two point ride.”

Ryan won. He looked ready to cry, vomit and pass out—all at the same time. But he managed to keep his cool at the ceremony when the sponsors awarded the belt buckle, the check and the piece of artwork painted on deerskin that detailed how Greybull had gotten its name.
When the crowd of well-wishers thinned out, Chase and Ava approached him. Ryan was so pumped he picked Ava up and spun her in a circle, oblivious to Chase’s warning growls.
“Thanks for comin’! I wish my mom coulda been here to see me win, but she promised to come to the event next week in North Platte.”

Chase offered his hand, forcing Ryan to release Ava. “Congrats. That was an excellent ride.”

“First time I ever felt I coulda ridden a bull all night. Man. It was awesome.” He squinted at Ava’s bag. “Did you tape it?”

“Yes, sir. I wasn’t close, so I don’t know how good it is.”

“Can you email it to me so I can show my mom?”

“Sure, what’s your email address?”

He scrawled it on a napkin and handed it to her. “Thanks.”

“You in the mood to celebrate?” Chase asked.
“Hell yeah. I met a couple of girls earlier and they’re taking me to a party.”

Only Ava noticed the brief flash of disappointment on Chase’s face that Ryan already had plans.
“Sounds like fun.” He clapped Ryan on the shoulder. “It’s been great getting to know you, Ryan, and good luck the rest of the season.”

Ryan looked confused. “Sounds like you’re saying goodbye.”

“I am.” He reached for Ava’s hand. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning for R&R in Yellowstone.”

“But you are competing in North Platte next weekend, right?”

Chase shook his head. “Bill Chase has retired.”

“But…it’s the rodeo closest to my hometown. I thought we could hang out. You could meet my mom.”

Ava couldn’t stand to see Ryan’s distress. “We’ll see how the week plays out and he’ll call you, okay?”

“Okay.” He was about to say something else, when two girls raced to his side. The brunette said, “There you are! We’ve been looking for you.” The trio got caught up in conversation, leaving Chase and Ava staring after him.
“So now that Ryan has blown us off, is your offer for wild, kinky, loud sex still on the table?” Chase asked.
“Absolutely.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chase’s phone buzzed on the seat.
Ava picked it up and read the text. Where are you? She sighed. “How many times has Ryan texted you today?”

“Probably a dozen. Kid’s just a little anxious.”