Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(54)

But the determined ladies followed him, chattering like crows, apparently not caring that he had someplace else to be. He looked up to see how far he was from the stands and saw her.
Ava.
Christ, she took his breath away.
Chase had about three seconds before the lovely Ava launched herself at him. He wrapped her in his arms and squeezed.
“What a great ride! You were amazing. You looked totally in control.”

He released her, but snuck in a quick peck on the mouth before he met her gaze. “You liked seeing me in control, huh?”

A soft blush stole across her cheeks. “I taped it, but the angle wasn’t that great, so I don’t know how it turned out.”

“I’m sure it’ll be great.” That’s when Chase noticed the hostility flowing from the buckle bunnies. He tugged Ava to his side before addressing the trio behind him. “Ladies. Have a great evening.” Then he led Ava away, stopping beneath the stands.
Ava pushed him against the concrete wall and got right in his face. “It’s always like that for you? Doesn’t matter if I shaved you bald, you grew an ugly-ass ZZ Top beard and dressed like Charlie Brown, women of all ages would still line up for a shot at you, wouldn’t they?”

Unsure how to answer, he squirmed.
Her eyes searched his.
“What?”

“And you kissed me again. Out of the blue.”

Closing his eyes, Chase let his head fall back against the wall. “You caught that, huh.” Great response, McKay, especially when you have no excuse.
Then Ava’s warm, soft lips pressed against his. He bit back a groan. Fought the urge to spin her around, pin her to the wall and kiss her until they couldn’t see straight.
She eased back and Chase opened his eyes.
Ava smirked. “Be warned. If you steal a kiss, so will I. Anything you do to me? I’ll do right back to you.”

Goddamn, she was hell on his good intentions. “Then no more kissing.”

Something like resignation flitted through her eyes. “We’re back on the road early tomorrow?”

“Yep. We’ve got one-nighters for the next week.”

“Sounds like you’re back in familiar territory.”

Chase stopped and stared at her. “Was that a shot at me?”

She lightly punched him in the arm. “Friends give each other shit all the time. Suck it up, cowboy. Let’s get you fed so you’re not so cranky.”

Chapter Twelve

An afternoon rodeo allowed the rare night off. He’d just slipped on his last clean pair of Cinch jeans, when two knocks preceded Ava opening the door and waltzing into the bathroom. Damn good thing he hadn’t been standing around in his skin.
“Hey, Chase, oh, sorry…”

She didn’t look particularly sorry as she stared at his chest. Before he backed off to grab his shirt, Ava traced a fresh bruise on the bottom curve of his rib cage. His skin beaded beneath her tender touch.
“Is this the only bruise you got today?” she asked softly.
“I guess. I didn’t really look.”

“So it doesn’t hurt?”

“Nope.”

Her beautiful, skeptical eyes connected with his.
Chase covered her hand with his on his stomach. “I’m not bein’ a tough guy to impress you, Ava. I get the shit beat outta me by bulls on a weekly basis, so I’ve usually got pain one place or another.” He stepped back. “You hungry?”

“Yes, and please tell me you’ve got a real restaurant in mind and not just a stop at the Qwickie Mart for more sunflower seeds and licorice.”

He grinned. “There’s a glimpse of that snooty California girl, but as a matter of fact, I’ve heard about this supper club called Steak’n a Claim.”