He didn’t drop a beat the entire night, not missing a single outcome or score. He said the Cowboy Prayer with love and announced every single sponsor like they were a dear friend. Wyatt certainly knew how to gain the attention of the entire crowd and keep everyone on their toes.
And it was my turn to be captivated by him.
He had told me plenty of times that he was amazed watching me, that he was—in his words—in awe. The things he had said to me over the last few months stuck with me more than anything, so much so that they began to play on repeat in my head before a ride. But now…it was finally my turn to see Wyatt the way he saw me.
Wyatt was so much more than I ever imagined. More than I gave him credit for. Wyatt was…
Perfect.
“It’s been a wonderful night here at the Hartwell Arena, we’ve seen amazing rides from America and Canada’s greatest cowboys and cowgirls. This little rodeo of ours has grown so much, and we can’t wait to keep building it up. It was such anhonor being your broadcaster tonight, back in the saddle—doing the one thing I love almost as much as the woman who has claimed me as hers. I’m Wyatt Hartwell, and Alpine Ridge, if you turn your eyes to the south sky…you’ll see the best firework show this side of Boise.”
The first firework shot up in the sky, the screeching causing everyone to turn their heads, gasps and cheers following, and then the lights dimmed in the arena. Fireworks shot through the air, one after another, the pops and booms echoing—and while those held everyone’s attention, I ran to him.
When I rounded the corner, he was already standing at Rusty’s side, taking his hat off to rub his forehead with his arm. He inhaled and raised his chin to the sky, the look of pure happiness radiating off him. He was tired, he was most likely sore—but he wasback.
“Hartwell!” I shouted, gaining his attention instantly.
I jumped and landed right where I was supposed to be. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my hands on the nape of his neck, feeling his hands finally on my waist, holding me steady.
“Damn, Compton.” He chuckled. “You almost just took me out.”
I kissed him, loving the way he had to catch his balance again as he shifted to hold me tighter against him, his mouth moving in perfect sync with mine.
“You’re spectacular, did you know that?” I arched my back away from him softly.
“Spectacular?” He parroted. “I don’t think I’ve heard that one before.”
“You always say I’m the amazing one—”
“Well, you are.”
“But you—” I kissed him again, soft and sweet, a chaste kiss that only left me wanting more. “I wish I had seen it sooner. We could have beenthissooner.”
He cocked a grin. “I tried. You’re the one who hated everything I tossed your way.”
“I take it all back. You’re the opposite of everything I said.”
“I don’t remember half of it—”
“I do.” I shifted to trace his jaw, feeling the stubble that had grown since he last shaved. “None of it is true. I just wanted to believe it was. I was such an idiot for not seeing you.”
“Hey.” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t call my girl an idiot. I promise you, Quinn,”—he met my gaze—“thisis going to last a long time. I told you, I’m a fool for you. I’m a goner. I’m in—” He paused. “I’m in too deep.”
Me too.My stomach did a jumping jack, small flutters filtering all the way to my fingers. “I don’t want to say it yet—” I whispered.
“You can say anything.”
I blinked a few times, feeling my heart beating in my chest. I wanted to. I could scream it from the rooftops—let the entire world know that I was in love with Wyatt Hartwell. But all I managed to say was—
“I feel so much more with you, and I want it all.”
Maybe that is exactly what I was supposed to say. Maybe those words were stronger than those three tiny ones that everyone wants to hear at some point in their life, because the moment the words left my lips—the moment they hung in the air—Wyatt’s blue eyes got heavy, his breath picked up, and with a softfuuuck,his mouth was on mine.
Not breaking the kiss, he moved, taking us away from the crowd that was still engulfed in the fireworks that were booming overhead. A few grunts andmoosfrom the livestock came from nearby, but I was too focused on Wyatt’s breathing and moans to pay any attention to where we were going. All that mattered was that I could keep kissing him. I honestly didn’t care who saw—that way, everyone would know he was mine.
My back gently hit a wall, my hat flopping to the ground, all while Wyatt drank me in. He shifted, one hand still firm on my ass, the other slinking up my waist, finally cupping my chin. His lips broke free from mine, and I gasped for air as he kissed my neck and down to my shoulder. This man knew exactly where to kiss to ignite my senses, and we hadn’t even had sex yet.
In the few times we had touched and teased, he asked me what I liked, how I wanted to be touched—and tonight—fully clothed up against a building behind the Hartwell Arena, he was putting all those questions to practice. My body shivered as his hand trailed my collarbone, cupped my breast, his fingers grazing my side—it wasn’t enough, yet it was almost too much.
