Holding Quinn was like holding a piece of heaven. The whole damn world could fall apart right now, but it wouldn’t matter. Every worry, every fear or frustration turned to ash in her soft, soothing wake.
Whit’s squeal of excitement gave me pause. “Ugh, stop it. You guys are just too damn cute!”
Drawing back, I pressed a kiss to the top of Quinn’s head and aimed my attention in the direction of Whit’s voice. “Howdy, Miss Whit. Pardon the intrusion.”
She giggled once more, making my ears ring.Fuck. The sound was so opposite of Quinn’s—louder, more high-pitched, whereas Quinn’s laughter had the same soothing effect as listening to a soft flowing stream.
“You cowboys and your manners. Are you always so polite?” she asked.
I chuckled and removed my ball cap for a moment before running a hand through my hair—god, it was getting long. Righting it on my head once more, I replied, “I try to be, ma’am. Did you have a safe flight?”
For a few moments we just stood there talking—well, Whit talked, Quinn and I just listened, all the while, I held her in my arms, savoring the feel of her. A loud knock on the door interrupted us. Quinn withdrew from me, and then the door creaked open.
“Hey, y’all!” came a familiar, deep voice, just as Travis’ fresh woodsy scent filled my nose. Hellos were tossed around, and even though I mentally prepared myself for his infamous shoulder clap, it never ceased to shock me with its intensity.
“Good luck tonight, man,” I said, trying to shake the shudder that went through me.
If he noticed my nerves, he didn’t let on as he squeezed my shoulder and said, “Well, shit, old man. I didn’t think you approved of this whole thing?”
It’s not that I didn’t approve of it. Hell, I understood the want, the drive, the urge to compete. Even three years later, Istilllonged to. I’d always want to—as long I was alive and breathing. It was the fact that I couldn’t that made me hate it so much.
I ignored the question in his words and offered my hand out between us for a handshake. “Go kick ass tonight.”
He chuckled and clasped his hand in mine for a firm shake, and when he spoke, his tone lacked any of the humor he usually possessed, a raw vulnerability lingering there instead. “Thank you. If y’all want, we still got some time if you wanna tag along.”
I ignored the guilty sting appearing in my chest and forced an apologetic grin to my lips. “Thanks, man. Maybe next time, though.”
“If you boys are done with your little bromance moment…”Whit’s teasing tone forced me to take a step back and clear my throat.
Travis’ easy-going demeanor returned, any trace of gentleness or vulnerability disappearing as I felt the air shift ashe moved through the room—closer to Whit, I assumed. “Aw, you jealous, sugar? Was I not payin’ you enough attention?”
“Maybe.” She gave an indignant huff before the sound of their hushed laughter and teasing filled the room. I fidgeted, feeling like I was intruding on a private moment. Had Quinn and I made Whit feel like this a moment ago, cuz damn, this was weird. It didn’t last long though, and within a moment, we exchanged goodbyes and the two of them were off.
Not even a heartbeat passed after the door closed, and Quinn’s arms snaked around my neck. God, she smelled so fucking good. “How was your day, handsome?” she asked, her lips brushing against mine.
“It was good, darlin’. And yours?” I replied, sliding my fingers in her soft, silky hair.
“Good. Just did some wedding planning stuff and picked Whit up from the airport. Wanna shower and figure out what to do tonight?”
And despite her tantalizing touch, despite the warm, seductive implication in her words that it wouldn’tjustbe a shower, I found myself saying, “You should go to the rodeo, Quinn.”
She stilled in my grip, and if I could see her face, she’d probably be scowling at me. As it was, I could feel the heat of her confused stare. “What? No. Why would I do that?”
“Your friend just flew here to see you, and you’re gonna stay here, leavin’ her all alone? I might not be the worst company, but I wouldn’t blame you for pickin’ a night of excitement over hangin’ out with my old, boring ass.”
She didn’t move out of my embrace, but something jabbed into my chest—her finger I realized after a moment. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re fine company. Besides, Whit can make friends with a wall. In fact, I guarantee that when they all come back tonight, she’ll have made at least three newfriends, and probably twice as many clients. She’s going to be absolutely fine without me.” The stabbing pressure on my chest disappeared as her soft palm replaced the spot her finger had been. “I don’t want to go to a rodeo, Hux. Not unless you’re going with me.”
Her words, her tone, her touch, they were all so reassuring. It should’ve made me feel better, except the knot of guilt in my stomach writhed and tightened in response, like a snake coiling to strike. With a sigh, I asked, “Alright, so if you ain’t goin’ to the rodeo, what do you wanna do?”
A soft, feminine hum fell from her lips as the hand splayed over my heart began a lazy but sure path down my stomach and towards my pantline. “I can think of a couple things,” she whispered against my lips.
Well, if she was trying to get my attention on something else, it was working. Desire sprung to life like a wildfire through my veins, my cock jumping at the touch. “You mentioned somethin’ about a shower?” I asked.
Her warm, lyrical laughter floated around me as she grabbed my hand and led me along. But as she turned on the shower, as I peeled off my dirty clothes, as I stepped under the spray of hot water and Quinn pressed her plush, velvet lips to mine, a single thought kept swirling in my mind.
“We should go to the rodeo,” I finally grumbled out begrudgingly.
She stilled beneath my touch, her words ringing with concern. “What’s going on?”
