All Night with the Cowboy

by Soraya Lane

  “What is this?” she asked, taking his hand and walking back over with him. “It’s beautiful.”

  “This is the where I want to build us a house one day,” Tanner said simply. “If I can prove myself to you and we can make a life together, I want to live here, overlooking the one place in the world that means something to both of us.”

  “Tanner,” she said, her voice a low hum in her throat as she parted from him and stepped inside the square. “I don’t even know what to say.”

  He let her walk around a moment, watching her, imagining the house they could build, the home they could create there one day.

  “I was a show-off a lot of the time when we were seniors, but when we were down there, together, I was able to let my guard down and just be me,” he told her. “Over here, we could have our kitchen, looking down over the river, and our bedroom over there. It can be something we dream about and plan for years before we even do it, if you want to, but this is where I see myself in ten, fifteen, hell, even thirty years’ time.”

  She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, and relief passed through Tanner. Lauren held him so tight and he stayed still, eyes shut.

  “This is so perfect. I can’t even believe you did all this for me,” she said, voice mumbled against his back.

  “Is there a but coming?” he asked, turning in her embrace and tucking his arms around her, too.

  She didn’t say anything for a while, just stared up at him in the dark, the fairy lights like a halo behind her, twinkling away as he waited for her to say something.

  “I want this to work, Tanner. I really do,” she said, but there was a catch in her throat, an uncertainty in her tone.

  “But?” he asked softly.

  “But I don’t think I can deal with a broken heart again,” she said. “I’ve protected myself all this time and kept myself in this bubble I guess, and I know I can’t live in that bubble forever, but it’s kept me safe.”

  He relaxed, knowing exactly what she meant because he’d thought it himself a thousand times over. “I know. But we’re both risking it all here, Lauren. You know how we are, we were always all or nothing, and I don’t expect it to be any different this time.”

  They stood in silence, wrapped in each other’s arms as Lauren moved closer to him and turned her head to look back at the lights.

  “I can’t give up my career for you,” she said. “One day, I’d step back from my crazy schedule if we had a family, but not right now. It’s too important to me.”

  “But I can,” he said, surprising himself by how easily he’d said the words he’d been thinking.

  He felt the stillness in her body. “You can what?”

  “Give up my career,” he said. “But right now we just have to figure out a way of giving this, us, a real chance.”

  “You’re thinking about giving up bull riding?” Lauren asked. “Tanner, don’t do that for me, you’ll only resent me for it later and that’s not the way I want so start over.”

  “I’m not doing it for you, I’m doing it because I want to,” he said honestly, kissing her on the upturned tip of her nose. “Someone wise once asked me what I had left to prove, and I’ve decided that I want to do what makes me happy, and sometimes those things change. Remember I told you how I’d like to do an MBA one day? Well, this is that day.”

  * * *

  Lauren leaned back in Tanner’s arm, ready to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. Was this actually happening? Since when had Tanner been so romantic and … she ran her hands down his thickly muscled arms and exhaled. The boy had been fun and reckless, but this was Tanner the man. This was Tanner who’d let go of all the hurt and baggage from the past and asked her for a fresh start. Hell, he’d been bold enough to show up at her folks’ place on their anniversary and ask for a second chance, and she had to admire him for that. And was he really giving up riding and going to settle down and study?

  “Are we really going to do this?” she asked, standing on tiptoes to taste him, to kiss Tanner and inhale the scent of him and lock this exact moment into her memory.

  “Build the house?”

  She play punched his arm. “No doofus, this, us?”

  He kissed her, lips murmuring so softly against hers it made her melt against him, pressing her body to his and grinding into him, wanting more. Needing more.

  “Yes, sweetheart, we are,” Tanner told her, with so much sincerity, so much depth in his voice, that it melted something inside of her that she hadn’t even known was frozen. “If you want a house in town, too, I’ll build you one there or buy something for us. There’s nothing I won’t give you, and there’s only one thing I expect in return.”

  She hesitated before answering, not sure if she wanted to hear what that one thing was.

  “What?” she asked, the word rushing out of her like a big exhale of air.

  “You,” he said simply. “I just want to know that we’re solid, that if there’s a problem you’ll tell me instead of walking away like you did last time. You might not want my help, but we’re stronger together, okay?”

  She nestled against him, looking down, knowing how happy she’d be here one day. Not yet, because she had a life that required her to be in town and to travel and work like a dog for, but one day. For now, just being with Tanner would be enough.

  “Can we go back to your place now?” she asked. “I’m beat.”

  He nodded and she ran her fingers across his cheek, his stubble tickling her skin. She stood high on her toes and nibbled along his jaw line until he let out a low groan that sounded more like a growl.

  “Leave the lights though,” she whispered. “Can we just turn them off but not take them in yet?”

  “For you?” his lips whispered against hers. “Anything.”

  Lauren bumped against him, hip to hip, thigh to thigh, as they walked back in the dark to his truck. There had been a time she’d never thought she’d step foot on River Ranch again, that she’d never imagined a second chance or even a stolen moment with Tanner in her lifetime after walking away from him the last time.

  Life was full of surprises and she couldn’t believe how things had changed.

  “We have two weeks until my work load explodes,” she told him as they walked.

  Tanner bent down and grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder as she screamed and squealed, slapping her on the butt as he jogged the rest of the way.

  “Tanner, stop!” she pleaded as she bobbed along, laughing so hard she couldn’t fight him.

  “If we don’t have long, then we’d damn well better make the most of it.”

  When he put her down, his hard body against the length of hers and the cool metal of his truck behind her, she grabbed the back of his head, fingers kneading into his hair as she raised her mouth, and kissed him. Tanner kissed her back just as hungrily, pressing her down, crushing her against him as he ran hands down her sides, holding her hips as she lifted a leg and tucked it tight around the back of his legs.

  His breath was hot against her neck when he finally released her, his head still dipped as his lips whispered against her ear. “Come on baby, it’s time to go home.”

  She kissed him again, slowly this time, running her hands from the back of his head all the way down his back. They were together again, and nothing had ever felt so right.

  Chapter 21

  TANNER clapped his hands together, sending powder puffing up from between his palms, and breathed in the familiar smells of being part of the action at a rodeo. It had been a couple of months since he’d made the decision, but actually working up to a big event, knowing it was his last professional ride? That was something else entirely.

  He’d started riding when he was tiny, when his dad had thought it was a bit of a laugh to put his brave young son on top of a calf and let him pretend he was in the rodeo. Then he’d started riding horses and breaking in the wild ones, riding broncs and going on to watch his heroes who won title after title staying on top
of the meanest bulls around.

  The bug had bitten early, before he’d even left school, and despite all the rows and threats from his father, Tanner had refused to give in and done what he wanted to do. His father had been furious with him for turning his back on a more stable career, but when he’d started earning more and more money, eventually becoming the highest earner on the PBR circuit, as well as earning his degree, his father had eased off. Until the fall. Then everyone had been on his damn back.

  But today was the end. It was a celebration of what he’d done and the man he’d become, but he also knew it was about growing up and moving on. This was a young man’s game, and he’d survived and lasted longer than most.

  “And next up we have Taaaaaanneeeeerrrrrr Ford,” the announcer trilled, making Tanner’s name last at least a few seconds longer than it should have. “Ford is one of our most popular riders on the circuit, and injury hasn’t stopped him from being called the second-chance cowboy!”

  Tanner channeled all his energy into the ride, lowering himself down onto the back of a bull that he’d probably been drawn to ride three times in his career. He wasn’t a standout bull, but he’d do the job.

  Tanner signaled that he was ready and within an instant they were propelled out into the ring, the bull giving it his all and spinning, bucking, and kicking to get his rider off. Tanner loosened his body, let it go with the movement of the beast beneath him. He nudged his spurs in, his left arm raised high as the bull gave one hell of a buck, tossing himself around as Tanner did his best to stay on and give the crowd one hell of a ride to remember him by.

  Then just like that, he was flying through the air, stumbling to his feet and leaping up onto the railings to avoid the charge of the angry bull. It was over.

  Tanner waved to the crowd as they cheered and bellowed, some of them die-hard fans who’d seen him ride countless times, some who probably saw or heard about the agony of his big fall, and others watching him for the first time. He was sure going to miss it.

  “Good ride,” one of the guys said to him as he climbed over and down to the other side.

  “Thanks,” Tanner replied, recognizing the young man who’d spoken to him. “Bobby, is it?”

  He received a grin in response. “Yeah it is. Didn’t expect you to know me.”

  “You’ve got a lot of talent,” Tanner said, straightening his hat as he talked. “I’ll be seeing you from the other side of the fence next time.”

  “You’re retiring?” Bobby asked, sounding incredulous.

  It took Tanner a second to reply. It was a hard word to get used to saying. “Yeah, this is my last one. I’ll see you around.”

  He walked slowly and looked at the bulls, waiting for their time in the ring. He loved the sound of them, the way they moved, their big, thickly muscled bodies. Bulls were in his blood, but there were so many ways he could stay involved in the sport he loved. He leaned on the railings, seeing Thunder Cat, the bastard bull that he’d expected to hate so much. Turned out he wasn’t so bad at giving second chances after all.

  Maybe he could mentor someone, a young ambitious rider who needed a hand up. He could breed bulls. Hell, he could take over operations of the entire beef side of Ford Ranch if he wanted to right now. But all that mattered to him now was being happy, and he’d finally seen the forest for the trees—riding bulls wasn’t the only way to feel that buzz of adrenaline that he’d become so addicted to.

  * * *

  Lauren popped a light, fluffy pink piece of cotton candy into her mouth, grimacing as she watched Tanner half leap, half fall from the bull he was riding. She slurped back a big sip of cola, trying to settle the frantic, twisting sensation in her stomach as she waited for him to leap up on to the railings. Thank god he was about to retire. There was no way she could stand to watch him doing this more than once—her heart had been in her throat the entire time!

  She breathed a sigh of relief when he leapt up onto the railings and waved to the crowd who were busy cheering and clapping for him. It was insane how many people were watching. She wondered where he’d gone and how he was feeling.

  He was probably trying to absorb the moment and commit it to memory, so instead of going to look for him, she stayed put and kept watching the show. Respecting his space and giving him the time to process what he was doing was the least she could give him right now.

  She leaned forward to watch a rider being hurled through the air, cringing as he hit the ground and the clown ran in to distract the bull. She gasped when the bull spun around and came back for him, just as the rider was pulled to safety. This was not something for the fainthearted! She wondered if the guy had a partner or family watching on.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  Arms slipped around her from behind, big hands warm to her stomach as lips found her neck and dipped against her collarbone. She relaxed into his touch, loving the softness of his fingers and the deep whisper of his words against her skin when he spoke.

  “Are you sure you’re done?” she asked, rocking back into him and wishing her hands weren’t full of cotton candy and cola.

  He leaned over her shoulder and sipped through her straw. “You really should be drinking beer, not cola,” he scolded. “And only you would eat cotton candy instead of a corn dog.”

  She laughed. “Only me, meaning because I’m a girl?”

  “Come on,” he said, tugging at her waist. “It’s time to go.”

  “Go where?” she asked, taking a long, final sip of her drink before dropping it into a trashcan.

  “Anywhere, I don’t care,” he said, smiling at her as he placed an arm around her.

  “Can I have an autograph?!” A young boy raced over, and soon Tanner was surrounded by kids jumping up and down.

  Lauren stepped back, watching him and loving that he was so friendly with his young fans. He laughed and signed posters and programs, talking away and admitting that today was his last ride as a professional bull rider. She knew how hard it must have been to admit that, to actually confess to someone other than her that he was officially in retirement now.

  “Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand and waving goodbye to the crowd that had gathered behind them.

  “Tanner, I’d love a drink and something decent to eat. Want to check out a cool little restaurant I read about online?” she asked, trying to play it cool so that he’d never guess what she had planned. He wouldn’t expect her to know anywhere to eat or drink in Georgia, and she didn’t want to give anything away.

  “Ah, sure. Whatever you want.”

  He no longer had his chaps and spurs on, but he was wearing his worn-in jeans and a plaid shirt, a few buttons undone at the front and his sleeves rolled up to show off deeply tanned forearms. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, and his hair was curling slightly around his ears. Lauren walked beside him, holding his hand, unable to take her eyes off the handsome man at her side.

  “I love you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper as she pushed up to kiss him, nipping at his plump lower lip.

  “I love you, too,” he replied, his smile starting at one corner of his mouth and slowly spreading to the other as he looked sideways at her.

  She giggled and dipped her head to his, before falling back into step beside him and heading for the exit.

  * * *

  Tanner kept his arm tucked firmly around Lauren as they walked toward the restaurant she’d chosen. They’d taken a cab there, and he’d noticed how overly talkative she was. Maybe she was still on a high from attending her first PBR event or seeing him ride? It didn’t really matter why though, he was just pleased to have her by his side, happy as hell and talking a mile a minute.

  He still found it hard to believe that they were together. That his career had just ended. That life was about to change forever, and that he surprisingly was fine with it all.

  She tugged on his hand for a moment and he stopped, trailing a hand down her arm and wondering why she was giving him such a strange look.

 
; “Kiss me,” she said, her smile infectious.

  He bent to kiss her, hovering over her mouth once he’d finished. “Why do you look like the cat that got the cream?” he asked.

  “Maybe you’re the cream,” she replied, sucking in her lower lip between her teeth, the way she always did when she was nervous or unsure.

  He slapped her playfully on the bottom and grabbed her hand back, glancing up at the sign for Stone’s Cuisine & Cocktails. She was up to something, he just didn’t know what.

  Tanner pushed the door open, holding it for her, and she hurried past him before stepping aside. Tanner went to say something, had opened his mouth, when he froze as the door shut behind him.

  What the hell?

  “Surprise!” Lauren murmured, sidling up beside him and pressing a warm kiss to his cheek. “Happy retirement, baby.”

  Tanner was speechless as he looked at his family—all of them—sitting at a table, all sporting big grins and waving at him to come join them.

  “You brought everyone here?” he asked, incredulous. “How did you convince them? How did you keep this a secret from me?”

  She nudged him toward his family. “The secret was easy, and so was getting them all here. I don’t think you realize how much they all love you.”

  He laughed. “Or how much they’re all thrilled I’ve retired.”

  Mia was on her feet first, arms extended, and Tanner bent to give her a big hug.

  “That was a great final ride, Tan,” she said, squeezing him tight. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Of course you are,” he replied, “you were always my number-one fan!”

  Sam stood up beside his wife, hand extended. “Great ride.”

  “You all bothered to come to Georgia for me?” Tanner said, shaking his head as he clasped his father’s hand. “Hell, I thought pigs would be more likely to fly than get all of you to watch me on a bull.”

  “Not all of us, me and Ange have been propping up the bar and drinking cocktails!” Cody called out.

  Tanner dodged around his dad and bear-hugged his brother, slapping him hard on the back. “Typical that you’ve been the one sitting in here drinking while I say goodbye to my career. I don’t even think you remember what it’s like to be a real rancher and go to rodeos. Too busy being a city slicker.”