Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(67)

As soon as they cleared the gate, a half-dozen women descended on them—mostly on Chase. Although Ryan topped Chase by six inches, Chase clapped the kid on the shoulder, pushing him front and center. “Damn good ridin’. You keep that up and I’ll be watching my back the rest of the season.” Chase discreetly nodded to Ava.
“Ryan, could I get a couple of pictures of you? Maybe leaning against the railing?”

“No problem.” Ryan dropped his duffel bag and struck a pose. “How’s this?”

“Tilt your chin up, sugar,” Ava drawled. “We want a clear shot of that handsome face of yours, not your ratty old hat.”

Ryan grinned goofily and Ava was completely charmed by this sweet man-boy.
She tested the flash twice after Chase moved to stand next to her.
A bold buckle bunny inserted herself between them—breasts first. “Who’s he?”

“Ryan Ackerman. A bull rider.” Chase confided, “Wasn’t that eighty-three point ride tonight something? Now he’s sittin’ in second place.”

“Really?” The busty brunette offered Ryan a jaunty little finger wave and a come-hither smile.
The poor kid didn’t know what to do besides blush.
Ava cajoled, “Come on, Ryan. A couple more shots. Then you can charm all these lovely ladies who are waiting on you.”

Ryan swallowed hard as his eyes darted to the women who’d formed a semi-circle behind her and Chase.
Click, click. “See? All finished. I’ll be in touch about release forms.”

“Ah. Good. Thanks.”

Chase crowded her, setting his hand on her lower back, above her ass, showing everyone she was with him. “Great ride. See you on dirt tomorrow night.”

None of the bunnies bothered him—just as Chase predicted.
And that bothered Ava. Big time. She felt used.
Frankly she was tired of Chase running hot and cold, gazing at her with lust and then acting like an offended monk when she responded to his blatant sexuality. What happened to her intent to reclaim her own sexuality?
You set it aside because that’s what Chase wants.
But what about what I want?
What about it? You want a change, you’ll have to make it or take it, not wait for it.
Ava huffed out a frustrated breath. It was annoying to realize that once again she’d shelved her intimate needs and followed a man’s lead.
Enough. It was past time she took control.
“You’re awful quiet,” Chase said when they reached his truck.
“Just thinking about how thoughtful it was of you to look out for Ryan. Especially helping him get laid.”

Chase’s hand froze on the door handle.
“I’ve gotta admit jealousy, though. We’ve been friends longer and you haven’t gone out of your way to help me get laid.”

“Jesus, Ava.”

She hip-checked him—not playfully—and opened her own door, then slammed it in his stunned face.
Music filled the truck cab as they exited the fairgrounds. They didn’t speak. Ava rolled down her window, breathing in the humid night air. It smelled different here. Warm. Earthy.
Once they were inside the room, Chase stripped off his chaps. “I’m hitting the shower.”

Ava waited until she heard the water turn on before she poked her head into the bathroom. “Chase?”

“Christ Almighty. What do I hafta do to get some damn privacy around here?”

“Learn to lock the door?” she intoned with fake cheer.
A growling noise bounced off the tile walls.
“I’m going out. Don’t know when I’ll be back, so don’t wait up.”