He moaned in complaint and desire, responding, “You did that on purpose.”
Those teasing lips never moved away. “I can smell your come, so a little payback is only to be expected when you didn’t ask me to help,” he growled playfully, once more nipping at his ear.
The sound of boots on dirt made Ian shift an inch away, because that was all he could manage. His mate was just too irresistible. “Bull riding,” he warbled, blushing, “you mentioned bull riding.”
I’d like to be naked bear-back riding. I know that.
Rick’s laughter was a deep belly one as he tugged Ian with him, and they headed to an area they hadn’t been to yet. Knowing that if he didn’t concentrate on something other than Rick, he’d be back to the idea of an Only fans page for the show he would give everyone. Just he wasn’t going to share his affections for his mate, no way. Rick was his—the Fates had deemed it so—so only he got to see all those muscles naked.
Rick tapped a finger on the side of Ian’s skull, the grin back. “Something goin’ on in there, wanna share?”
“No, well, not unless you want me heading back to the restroom again?”
The light in his eyes set a fire that could have burned even scorched earth, and Ian’s breath wheezed out through his gritted teeth, while he tried to keep himself in check.I’m in public. This is not the place to lose it.Ian willed himself to listen to reason. He couldn’t wait to tell his two best friends about this struggle, they’d never believe sensible Ian could be reckless.
“There you are, Rick,” Charlie called ill-timed or perfectly timed, Ian could not decide. “You’re up first. You wanna come meet the monster?” This, it seemed was aimed at Ian, and he nodded automatically, though the idea of seeing something he called ‘monster’, thatdidn’t sound all that appealing when Rick was going to sit on it. What if he broke his mate or worse killed him when they hadn’t even claimed each other?
Ian was a worrier, it was in his nature; he was a risk assessor. Had a very profitable business because he could determine levels of risk more easily than most.
He’d always prided himself on this, until right then, with Rick tugging him along behind him as they headed to a penned area that had a large ring behind it. There were a lot more men milling around, and Ian could see the group he was with excitedly leaning against the wooden fences, vying for the best position to watch Rick.
“A-are you s-sure this is s-safe?” he stuttered, dry-mouthed when they came to a stop, and he could hear an animal grunting and pawing madly at the ground.
“I’ve done this many times, could end up with a few bruises and a bruised ego if he has me off before I can get seated properly.” Rick winked, bringing their joined hands to his lips and kissing his knuckles, giving them a squeeze before releasing them. Only Ian didn’t let go. “You worried ‘bout me?”
Ian nodded, he was fucking terrified, and it warred with the arousal, because he was a sadist and a part of him thought it would be hot as fuck to see Rick control such an enormous beast. He was doomed. Doomed, didn’t you know!
Minutes later, after some persuasion, Ian stood at the fence watching Rick mount the back of the bull. He sent up a prayer that his mate didn’t die as the gate opened and Rick and the huge bull jerked madly out of the stall.
Ian didn’t think he breathed as his gaze stayed riveted to man and beast. Rick moved with a fluidity that belied the aggression from the bull desperate to toss him off, yet he held on to the strap, rising anddipping in an animalistic dance that left Ian mesmerized. His jeans were a total lost cause when his cock busted through the seam of the zipper with a loud tearing sound, right as Rick managed to swing his body sideways and leap off the bull unscathed.
Mother of all that is holy,that is my fucking mate!
Chapter Seven
Rick
Thank fuck I did not fall. Rick moved with studied nonchalance away from the bull. It was standard practice. No matter how far a rider might fall, or how hard, the aim of the game was to always please the crowd. That meant even if a rider broke bones or was in incredible pain, they got to their feet, and they walked away, doing their best to keep their issues to themselves until they were far away from the crowd’s gaze.
There was a lot of trust in doing that, too, and the weight of that pressed on Rick’s shoulders as he made his way to the fence. He’d forgotten how amazing it was to know he could count on the people around him. Sure, he knew he could always count on Ernest at the flower farm. When he’d jumped off his tractor the wrong way the previous year, Ernest gave him the spare room, kept him fed, and carried on finishing his work so Rick could heal. It didn’t take long with him being a shifter, but Ernest was a good friend and insisted.
The rodeo circuit/ranch situation was totally different. A bull rider had to trust that the cowboys on horses, and sometimes in barrels, whowere already in the pen when the bull was set free, would do their job. The rider’s life depended on it. Decent bulls were treated really well and would often weigh well in excess of two thousand pounds, and yet they moved fast. Already agitated, by the strap around them and having a rider on top of them, it was common to see bulls immediately turn on the rider the moment that person was off their back.
And that is where the real cowboy heroes of the piece came in. They were there to assist the rider if needed, but they were also there to distract the bull, moving the animal through another gate and away from the audience and the rider as quickly as possible.
As Rick climbed over the fence, his back and ass muscles twinged.Yeah, I know. It’s been a while.It was nothing a hot shower or a shift wouldn’t cure. Rick’s focus was on Ian, his sweet mate, who had been so worried about him. Just knowing that had brought out all of Rick’s protective instincts, and a lot of sexy ones too.
As he headed to where Ian was standing, Charlie intercepted him. “My gods, why the hell did you ever quit? Did you know that no one has stayed on that bull for the full eight seconds, let alone the twelve you managed beforegetting offinstead of going face down into the dirt? No one has done that,” he said, with awe.
Rick shrugged, still intent on getting to Ian. “Maybe the bull was having an off day.”
“Tell me you’re going to ride again.” Charlie clung to his arm. “Come on, Rick, tell me I can organize another bull for you.”
“Not today, my friend.” Rick pointed in Ian’s direction. “I have a new mate to take care of.” Struck with a sudden thought, because yes, that brief ride had been fun, and Charlie and Pip had been really good friends in the past, and that never died, he tugged out his phone. “Give me your number,” he said, opening hiscontacts. As soon as Charlie rattled off his number, Rick put it in his phone and then sent Charlie a text. “Now you have mine, too. Stay in touch, yeah?”
“Definitely.” Charlie dropped his arm, looking around as someone yelled his name. “Next time we meet up, let’s make it when the place isn’t full of damn people determined to break their necks just to make an impression.” He ran off, waving his arm and yelling at one of his friends—something about the chute lever.
Rick had already taken long enough, and he didn’t hesitate when he reached where Ian still stood. A quick once over, and Rick could see why.His cock decided to make a jailbreak.Yes, Rick was proud his mate felt so much for him, but he didn’t want Ian’s crotch being eyed by anyone else.
