Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(90)

“Hey, now, come on, let’s get you fixed up.”

Ava gripped his hand as he started across the parking lot. But the shimmering mirage images were back in her peripheral vision and she stumbled. Chase caught her and gently lifted her into his arms. She whispered, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ve got you.”

Inside the room, Chase settled her on the bed. “Lie back and close your eyes.”

The dizziness didn’t go away, but it didn’t get worse.
The bed dipped. “This might be cold.”

A cool cloth covered her forehead and eyes. She sighed. “You must think I’m a baby for—”

“Ssh. Relax. Breathe nice and slow, yoga girl.”

She focused on forcing air in and out.
“That’s it.” His rough-skinned fingers trailed up and down her arm, soothing her, his touch more effective than any over-the-counter headache medicine.
“Chase—”

“Ssh.” The last thing Ava remembered were his warm lips pressing against hers, and his whispered, “Rest.”

Her stomach rumbled so loudly it woke her up. Disoriented, she opened her eyes and saw Chase lying next to her. Her stomach did a little flip, not from sickness, but from seeing those beautiful blue eyes first thing.
“Hey. How do you feel?”

“Hungry. Thirsty. Confused. Like I was in a time warp. What time is it?”

“Seven a.m.” Chase handed her a bottle of water. “This’ll help.”

“Thanks.” Ava sat up and drank all the water. “So I crashed for over twelve hours. Guess I missed the rodeo last night. How’d you do?”

Chase wore a stoic expression.
“What? Did you have like a ninety-nine point ride or something?”

He snorted.
“Seriously. What happened?” Her gaze swept over him. “Did you get hurt?”

“Nothin’ happened, Ava. I didn’t compete last night.”

“What? Why not?”

“Do you really think I’d just leave you here alone when you were so goddamn sick?”

She froze.
Chase grabbed her hand and rubbed her knuckles against the razor stubble on his cheeks. “I was freaked out about you. I wasn’t exactly sure what to do. I’m not…well, I don’t have much experience taking care of sick people. My first response has always been to get the hell away, so I sort of winged it.” A sheepish smile curled the corners of his mouth. “You don’t look too worse for the wear.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t compete last night.”

“There are more important things in life than bull ridin’.”

This tough man had given up a chance to ride some of the best rough stock around to play nursemaid. Just when she thought she had the one-track mind bull rider down cold, he bowled her over with something completely unexpected.
“Thank you.”

“You take such good care of me, Ava, I was more than happy to return the favor.”

She smiled until he got right in her face. “And I’m also happy to return the favor of nagging you into telling me exactly what your agent said that got you wound so tight.” He flashed his teeth. “No dodging me either, because friends share stuff like this, remember?”

Somehow she’d known that comment would come back to bite her. But she wasn’t an actress for nothing. She’d lie her ass off so Chase didn’t put an end to their adventure right now.
Chapter Eighteen

The bad thing about driving all night? Trying to find a motel at six in the morning with available rooms. When they finally located one, they agreed paying seventy dollars over their budget was worth it.