“You’re not seriously getting on that, are you?” Ryan asks.
Before I can reply, a voice from behind me says, “No, she isn’t.”
Even in the hot, sweaty bar, surrounded by all these people, I shiver at the sound of his voice. I look over my shoulder at Connor and find him glaring at me.
“Funny, I didn’t realize you were the boss of me.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks. “You’ve proven your point well enough. Don’t push it too far.”
“I haven’t proven anything,” I say, the challenge in my voice obvious.
Connor pinches the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “If you want to ride the damn bull, I can bring you back here after the bar closes.”
The crowd cheers loudly for Julia and I arch onto my toes to whisper in Connor’s ear. “I thought you were going to say I should just ride you.”
His throat bobs with a swallow as his heated gaze meets mine. “Baby girl, you know I won’t deny you anything.”
“Excellent, then I’m going to ride the bull.” I’ve forgotten all about Ryan.
Anger flickers in Connor’s eyes. “If you get on that thing, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
Heat pools in my belly at the threat in his voice. I don’t know what’s happening to me. These are exactly the kind of public displays I hate, and which make me wonder if people get a thrill out of taking their personal lives to the streets. For me, it’s not really the thrill of other people watching me. It’s all about Connor watching me.
Julia gets off the bull and I walk forward, high fiving her.
Getting on the bull is so easy and the guy who’s running it turns it on once I’m situated. It bucks to life under me, and I hold on tight, letting my hips rock with the bull rather than being stiff and falling off. The crowd whoops and cheers but I look directly at Connor. His face is hardened in anger, but I can see the amusement in his eyes.
Suddenly, he’s walking across the pit towards me, motioning for the bull to be turned off. Before I can protest, he throws me over his shoulder.
“Connor!” I cry out, clutching one hand to my hat so it doesn’t fall off. Shouts ring out from the crowd, and I look up just long enough to see my sisters and cousins giving me a thumbs up. It’s a good thing Caleb and Logan didn’t see this display because there would have been a fight.
Connor carries me down a short hallway and into a room, the door closing behind us. He lowers me to my feet, tossing my hat aside and pushing me against the door as his mouth descends on mine in a hard, bruising kiss. I open my mouth, allowing him access as I grip his flannel shirt and pull him against me. Our mouths move with fervor against each other as we try to close all distance between us.
“You drive me fucking crazy,” Connor says against my lips.
“You call me hellion for a reason,” I remind him.
He growls, kissing me again. I slip my hands under his shirt, raking my nails over his taut stomach. Even though he’s not a professional athlete anymore, he’s still maintained the same physique.
Connor trails kisses down my neck, his teeth raking along my pulse point.
“You just had to wear this top,” he growls against the top of my breasts, his breath fanning over my heated skin.
“You don’t like it?” I tease. “I think it makes my boobs look amazing.”
Connor sucks on the globe of my breast and I cry out, rocking into him. The scratch of his beard against my soft skin heightens the sensations running through my body. My pulse pounds between my legs, matching the rhythm of my heart. I can feel his hard length pressing against my leg and I lower my hand, cupping him through his jeans.
“You’re coming home with me,” he says, voice roughened with lust.
“What? I don’t get a say?” I ask, as he lowers his head and leaves another bruising kiss on my chest. He’s marking me as his.
“You’re trying to make me come in my jeans, gripping my cock like it belongs to you,” he says wryly. “Do you have something else to add to that?” He watches me with eyes heavy-lidded with lust.
I want this. I want him. Pressing against me, into me, making me feel like I belong to him and only him. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or if everything is going to work out between us. I just know that for tonight, I want him.
“I’ll have to tell my sisters and my cousins,” I say.
“We’ll do it now,” he says, pulling away from me. I wait for doubt or fear to rise, but it doesn’t. I’m not even second guessing my decision to leave with him.
