Page 181 of Lost Trust

“No,” he says, and he grins. “Not yet.” He reaches for my hand. “But I do love you. And I’ve got a different kind of proposal I’d like you to consider.”

I blink at him. “Wait.”

He pauses.

“Repeat that last part.”

His eyebrows lift. “I’ve got a different kind of proposal?”

“No.” I shake my head, my heart hammering. “The, um … the love part?”

Royce stands and pulls me into his arms. His hands settle around my waist, pulling me against the hard length of his body.

“Marina Kincade,” he says quietly, looking straight into my eyes, “I am one hundred percent, head over boots, madly in love with you.”

A tear slips down my cheek. “I love you too, cowboy.”

His mouth crashes onto mine.

I grab his shirt and kiss him back, pouring every ounce of everything I’ve been too scared to say into it.

His arms tighten around me.

The kiss turns long and deep and hungry until—

“Ahem.”

We break apart, and I am in a haze. I blink up at Royce. Then we both turn toward the arena entrance.

Bryce stands there with two gentlemen in suits.

“Perfect timing,” Royce calls.

I wipe beneath my eyes, trying to compose myself as the three men walk toward us.

Royce gestures toward the first man. “Rina, this is Shawn Norris. He’s Bryce and Axle’s agent. Mine too.”

Shawn offers me his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

I shake it, still trying to figure out what the hell is happening.

“And this is Jack Wells,” Royce says. “CEO of Buck’n Diesel Energy.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, taking his hand next.

“You too, Marina.”

I look between the three men. “Okay …”

Royce grins. “She’s confused.”

Bryce chuckles. “Then I suppose we should explain.”

They do.

And within minutes, my confusion turns into complete disbelief.

They have a plan. Not some vague pipe-dream plan. A real plan for me to return to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.