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“Every ride it gets a little easier. If you win, it’ll be all worth it.”
“What if I don’t win?” she asked forlornly.
“Don’t even think like that.”
“I’ve sacrificed my barrel racing. My bronc racing. I’ve got to win this, or I’ll be right back where I started three years ago when I lost to Merry and took up with Mick.”
Dylan thought about sharing his feelings that she was a solid third in ranking, and that was still a hell of an achievement in a new event, but he didn’t think that would help the way she was feeling right now. LeAnn wanted to be number one, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get her there. Johnny had also thought that he wasn’t progressing as fast as he should have been, so he took more risks. Chose deadlier bulls. Chased victory at the cost of his own body. LeAnn had that same drive inside her. At the end of the season, if she was still in third, Dylan wondered if he’d be another regret in her life.
Chapter Seventeen
Last Stand, TX
LeAnn pulled into the Three Sisters Ranch just after suppertime. Janice Sullivan told them to help themselves to any leftovers in the retreat center’s fridge, but Dylan had put the idea of barbecue and peach pie in her head and nothing else was going to work for dinner. After securing Lola in the barn and going over her treatment with Janice, they tossed their overnight bags into their room and headed out to the Draeger Peach Haus for dinner and pie. Stuffed and exhausted, they were back at the retreat center in a few hours.
“Last one in the hot tub is a rotten egg,” LeAnn said.
“And me without my bathing suit.” Dylan grinned.
“Whatever shall we do then?” LeAnn shucked off her clothes, tossing them on the floor as the hot tub filled up. She poured in some scented crystals while Dylan also got undressed and put a toiletry bag next to the bed. When the water was hot enough, she sat in and let it fill up around her while she admired Dylan’s body, even if he had a few ugly-looking bruises on his ribs that were a mottled purple black and yellow.
“I think I see the outline of Fever Dream’s hooves on your chest. That looks painful,” she said.
“It is. I hope that you never have to experience it.”
“You and me both.”
Dylan set up his phone to play some George Strait love songs. Grabbing the bottle of wine that Janice had left in their room, he opened it and poured two glasses.
He winced as he eased into the hot tub next to her. She loved feeling his body so close to hers and couldn’t help stroking his arm tenderly. He looked down at her with admiration mixed with lust. It made her toes curl in anticipation.
“I wish it could be like this for us every night.”
“This is perfect,” she said. “But it always is. I don’t need a fancy room. I just need you.”
“To us.” Dylan clicked his glass to hers. He gave her a quick kiss and his lips were far sweeter than the wine. Her heart thudded in her chest. She was falling in love with this man and she was helpless to do anything about it. Truthfully, she didn’t want to stop the feelings. It was odd though, to want something more than what the rodeo could give her.
She wondered if he felt the same way. LeAnn was going to think of this night as the start of their relationship. Sure, they had slept together before. And it had been wild and wonderful. But tonight, with George Strait crooning about checking yes or no, this was different. Tonight, anything was possible.
“I’m glad I don’t have to go home tonight,” she said.
“Me too.”
The water shut off automatically and the jets pulsed on, filling the tub around them with fragrant bubbles that held notes of sandalwood and patchouli. When they finished the wine, LeAnn was feeling sleepy from soaking in the tub. Leaning her head against Dylan’s chest, she enjoyed the moment of peace.
“Are you falling asleep on me, sweetheart?” Dylan asked.
“No.” LeAnn yawned.
“Come on, let’s get you dried off and into bed. Normally, I’d carry you out, but I don’t think my ribs could take it. Not tonight anyway.”
“Just pretend I’m a calf.” She took the hand he held out to help her out of the tub.
“Too bad I left my rope in the truck,” he said.
“That’s a shame,” she said, giving him an exaggerated wink.
“Is that right?” he growled, holding her close to his naked body as he walked her back to the bed. They got under the covers, kissing the whole time. This was her favorite part of being with Dylan. He was a great kisser. The soft way his mouth stroked hers tingled, then grew to a fever pitch that soon had her pressing desperately against him, wanting, needing him to kiss her harder, touch her more, and make her his.
