A tingle heated her blood at his blatant possessiveness.
“Any other questions?” he asked in that rough rasp.
“Ah, no. I’m good.” Ava’s attempts at taping the rodeo events were half-assed because she kept sneaking looks at Chase. The man she loved. And where her eye went, her camera lens followed.
He sighed. “Will you please get that goddamn thing outta my face?”
“But yours is such a gorgeous face, beyond compare really. Broody. Masculine. Sexy with that perpetual five o’clock shadow. I love how your hat shades your eyes. And when you’re a little pissy, that muscle along your jawbone jumps and I just wanna sink my teeth into it.”
“Ava—”
“I can compliment you if I want, McKay, so suck it up.”
Chase laughed.
“You know, as I’ve been taping your handsome self, I realized I have the perfect job for you if you don’t get a call back from the PBR.”
“And what’s that?”
“Movie and TV stunt man.”
Chase turned and looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
“I know some people in the business, if you’re interested. I can hook you up.”
“Has it escaped your notice that I’m a little on the short side of, oh, not bein’ tall, dark and handsome?”
“Now that you mention it, I’m usually too busy staring and drooling over all those eye-popping muscles of yours to worry if you measure up, because you’re beyond any standard scale.”
“How many beers have you had to get so much honey to drip outta your sweet mouth?”
She knocked into him with her shoulder. “You are forgetting a couple of key points, Mr. Negative.”
His lips twitched. “What’s that, Pollyanna?”
“Most guys in Hollywood are short. These days few guys are as big as the old action stars like Dolph Lundgren and Arnold Schwartzeneger.”
“Yeah? What about Vin Diesel?”
“Don’t distract me by making me name specific actors who don’t hit the six foot mark.”
“I’m a solid five inches below the six foot benchmark, sugar.”
“Alls I’m saying is you could find work if you wanted to switch your occupation.” Then she looked away.
Chase curled his hand around her jaw, forcing her to meet his blue gaze. “And where would I live if I relocated to LA?”
She didn’t hesitate. “With me.”
A couple of seconds passed before he kissed her hard. Twice. “I’ll take it under consideration.” He slipped his hand into hers and tugged her closer. “Now can we watch the damn rodeo?”
When bull riding started, he gave her space to tape.
Taz stayed on and ended up with a score of eighty. Two other riders reached the eight-second mark but scored below seventy-nine. Three riders hit the dirt and Ryan was up next.
Chase got a little fidgety when the gate opened and Ryan and the bull burst into the arena. “Come on,” Chase said under his breath. “Follow his switch. That’s it. Just a little longer… Yes!” He whistled loudly and faced Ava. “That’s about an eighty-two point ride.”
Ryan won. He looked ready to cry, vomit and pass out—all at the same time. But he managed to keep his cool at the ceremony when the sponsors awarded the belt buckle, the check and the piece of artwork painted on deerskin that detailed how Greybull had gotten its name.
When the crowd of well-wishers thinned out, Chase and Ava approached him. Ryan was so pumped he picked Ava up and spun her in a circle, oblivious to Chase’s warning growls.
“Thanks for comin’! I wish my mom coulda been here to see me win, but she promised to come to the event next week in North Platte.”
Chase offered his hand, forcing Ryan to release Ava. “Congrats. That was an excellent ride.”
“First time I ever felt I coulda ridden a bull all night. Man. It was awesome.” He squinted at Ava’s bag. “Did you tape it?”
“Yes, sir. I wasn’t close, so I don’t know how good it is.”
“Can you email it to me so I can show my mom?”
“Sure, what’s your email address?”
He scrawled it on a napkin and handed it to her. “Thanks.”
“You in the mood to celebrate?” Chase asked.
“Hell yeah. I met a couple of girls earlier and they’re taking me to a party.”
Only Ava noticed the brief flash of disappointment on Chase’s face that Ryan already had plans.
“Sounds like fun.” He clapped Ryan on the shoulder. “It’s been great getting to know you, Ryan, and good luck the rest of the season.”
Ryan looked confused. “Sounds like you’re saying goodbye.”
“I am.” He reached for Ava’s hand. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning for R&R in Yellowstone.”
“But you are competing in North Platte next weekend, right?”
Chase shook his head. “Bill Chase has retired.”
“But…it’s the rodeo closest to my hometown. I thought we could hang out. You could meet my mom.”
Ava couldn’t stand to see Ryan’s distress. “We’ll see how the week plays out and he’ll call you, okay?”
“Okay.” He was about to say something else, when two girls raced to his side. The brunette said, “There you are! We’ve been looking for you.” The trio got caught up in conversation, leaving Chase and Ava staring after him.
“So now that Ryan has blown us off, is your offer for wild, kinky, loud sex still on the table?” Chase asked.
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chase’s phone buzzed on the seat.
Ava picked it up and read the text. Where are you? She sighed. “How many times has Ryan texted you today?”
“Probably a dozen. Kid’s just a little anxious.”
“Think he’s afraid you won’t show up?”
“From what he’s told me, that’s been a common occurrence and I don’t wanna be another guy who disappoints him.”
“Ryan does realize how far out of our way this event is?”
He looked at her. “Some other place you need to be today, Hollywood?”
“No. But ten hours in the car is a long haul. Even for old road dogs like us.”
Chase laughed. “Admit it. You’d had your fill of nature.”
“Maybe forever.”
On their Yellowstone trip, they’d spent one night in Cody, checking out the museums, strolling through the town, but they skipped the rodeo. Then they’d driven around Yellowstone for the next three days. He’d even talked Ava into camping one night.
Not a good idea.
While she appreciated the scenery, including the star-filled night sky and the clean mountain air, every noise freaked her out. She’d convinced herself bears would attack them during the night and she didn’t sleep, which meant he hadn’t slept. She bitched about the cold, rocky ground. She gagged when forced to use an outhouse. Smoke from the campfire made her cough and her eyes water. She burned her hot dog and her marshmallows in the coals. Bugs dive-bombed her head. Glowing eyes stared at her from the tree line. She’d complained from the moment they’d pitched the tiny two-man tent until the next morning when they’d packed up. They’d even skipped spending time in the Tetons because Ava’s priorities were a finding a shower, putting on clean clothes and getting a manicure. In that order.
The odd part of the fiasco? Chase hadn’t been mad. If any other woman had acted that way? He might’ve pitched her over a steep cliff. But Ava amused the hell out of him because her comments weren’t mean-spirited or snotty, just honest.
While he and Ava spent time isolated, out in nature, he realized that he wasn’t a huge fan of the great outdoors himself. Being outside on the McKay Ranch was one thing; he’d always loved that, even when he hadn’t been thrilled with the backbreaking work. His brothers never suggested camping outside after chores were done. The same held true for most of his McKay cousins simply because when the workday ended, they wanted to be inside. Where i
t was cool, or warm, depending on the season. Where snow wasn’t blowing or sun wasn’t beating down. Where a meal and a conversation waited. That break from the elements was a necessary part of surviving as a rancher.
Once they’d reached Jackson Hole, Chase found a luxury resort and surprised Ava by booking a suite. She’d actually teared up when he arranged for two hours of in-room spa treatments and left her alone to be pampered.
While she was getting massaged, he took his truck for an oil change and called his family to catch up. Maybe it stung a bit, their shock he’d contacted them without prompting. But Chase was determined to prove he could make changes in all areas of his life and stick to them.
“What are you thinking about?” Ava asked.
Chase grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “How fantastic these last six days have been. Just me’n you seeing the sights. Hanging out with my friend. Then you rockin’ my world in bed and out of it.”
She permitted a smug smile. “I did, didn’t I?”
After driving through Riverton, Ava suggested they drive up to Thermopolis to see the famous hot springs. Then she surprised him and booked a room at a bed and breakfast joint that boasted a small private hot spring. She’d dragged him outside after the other guests were in bed for the night. Talk about a thrill, seeing Ava take control. Rubbing her firm, curvy body slick against his. Her mouth tasting. Her hands roving. Her voice a sexy rasp in his ear as she’d taken him to heaven.
“It went beyond…well, anything for me too, Chase,” she said softly, when he realized he’d gone completely quiet again.
What Ava didn’t realize was he’d lain awake last night, wondering if that was the beginning of the end for them, because they’d made no future plans after Ryan’s event. He still hadn’t heard from the PBR. Eight weeks had passed. He might be in limbo, but Ava had a life in California that was more than just a career.
And how fucking sad was that for him?
Chase pulled into a service station. “Need anything?”
“You’re buying sunflower seeds, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “Yep.”
“Fine. You know what I want.”
“Red licorice and a Diet Dew comin’ up.”
Ava had her headphones on when he returned. And she’d fired up her computer, something she hadn’t done often the last six days. Nor had she snapped many photos, which didn’t make sense, given they’d been in a scenery-rich national park. He’d learned not to question her because it always got her back up.
He’d become accustomed to hours driving in the truck, so he wasn’t tired when they reached the fairgrounds. His cell rang. “Yes, Ryan, we’re finally here. Where are you?”
“At the beer garden with my mom.”
“We’ll be right there.” He faced Ava to find her staring at him. “You ready?”
“Yes.”
Chase stopped just inside the gate to gather his thoughts.
Ava rubbed his arm. “Chase? You all right?”
“Nervous.”
That surprised her. But she offered him that sweet, pure Ava smile and tenderly brushed her lips across his. “I imagine he is too.”
Ryan leapt up the instant he saw Chase, nearly tackling him. “How slow did you drive? Man. I thought you’d never get here.” He wrapped his arms around Ava and lifted her off the ground.
Chase couldn’t help but grin. Ryan was like a big goofy pup. No boundaries. Honest affection and boundless enthusiasm.
“Come on. We’re sitting over here.”
Ryan’s mother was a bottle-dyed redhead, somewhere between thirty and fifty, with the rough edged look he’d seen on plenty of single blue-collar mothers. But she had Ryan’s big smile and obvious pride in her son, by the way she kept fussing over him.
“Mom. This is Chase. And Ava.”
He offered his hand. “Nice to meet you after Ryan has told me all about you.”
“Jackie Ackerman. Ryan is such a huge fan of yours. It’s been a dream come true for him, getting to hang out and bullshit about bull riding.” She turned her gaze to Ava. “Thanks for sending the video of Ryan’s winning ride. I really wish I coulda taken time off work to see it live.”
“No problem. Do you mind if I tape your rides tonight?”
Ryan smiled widely. “’Course not.”
It was difficult to get a word in edgewise with Ryan yammering a million miles an hour. The kid defined nervous energy. Finally Chase put his hand on Ryan’s restless fingers and said softly, “Relax. Take it down a notch.”
Struck Chase strange that Ava remained behind the camera for the entire conversation. She’d toss out remarks occasionally, but stuck to the observer role. She had changed too, seeming content to stay out of the spotlight.
The five-minute warning for the start of the rodeo echoed across the grounds. Ryan said, “You coming back to help me pull my rope?”
“Sure. If you promise you ain’t gonna talk the whole damn time we’re waiting for you to ride,” he teased.
Jackie laughed and playfully smacked her son’s shoulder. “He’s got you pegged, Ry-Ry.”
Ryan stood, lifted his mom to her feet and squeezed her in a bear hug. “See ya after. Cheer loud for me.”
“You know it. Be safe, okay?”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Ava slipped on her press pass and entered the restricted area with Chase and Ryan.
Chase loved the buzz around the chutes, but he also felt the odd man out because he wasn’t competing. Ryan knew quite a few of the guys. He flitted between chatting up bronc riders to leaning over the fence and talking to timed event competitors. The barrel racers weren’t on their horses yet, or Ryan would’ve been on that side of the chutes, charming the ladies.
He and Taz watched the action in the arena without speaking beyond the occasional remark on the performance. When the Dodge truck drove onto the dirt to drop off the barrels, they headed behind the chutes.
The roster had twenty bull riding competitors. Taz had drawn fourth, Ryan twelfth. He and Ryan helped Taz and watched as the bull landed hard on its front hooves and Taz sailed ass over teakettle until his body smacked into the ground and bounced before stopping.
Taz wasn’t moving. The bullfighters watched over him until medical professionals arrived.
Ryan’s eyes were huge as he faced Chase. “He’s gonna be fine, right?”
“He’s tough. They’re getting him fixed up. See? He’s on his feet.”
The kid jumped down a level before Chase caught him by the shirtsleeve. “No need for you to head over there. They’ll shoo you out. And Taz will bitch about you wanting to hold his hand anyway.”
Ryan nodded. Blew out a distressed breath. Squinted at the scoreboard to see who was up next. Then Ryan went into that quiet time before a ride. Some guys called it psyching themselves up. Others called it getting in the zone. Chase found those minutes leading up to climbing on a bull the hardest. One he was on and getting a good wrap on his hand, he went through a mental checklist. Once the gate opened, he focused on keeping his seat, staying on, spurring and making that buzzer.
So he paced right along with Ryan. Until they stopped, stared at each other foolishly and smiled.
“Come on, kid, you’re up next. Show me whatcha got.”
Ryan’s bull was a mean bastard. First it wouldn’t get up. Then it decided to fight. Chase held the bull rope as Ryan got a fast wrap. Taz held on to the back of Ryan’s vest until Ryan shouted, “Go!” and the gate opened.
The bull had a showy style, leaping and twisting like a marlin on a hook. Ryan’s hat went flying, but the kid held on.
Chase curled his hands around the wooden rail and muttered, “Almost, come on,” and the buzzer went off.
As Ryan reached to release his rope, the acrobatic bull jerked its head, catching Ryan in the face with a horn. Ryan fell back far enough that when the bull’s rear legs left the ground, the momentum ejected the kid sideways. He slammed into the solid metal gate head first
, and then his body crumpled to the ground.
Confusion reigned in the arena when the bull charged a bullfighter. Then the barrel man. The pickup men cornered the angry animal and dragged it out with ropes.
He looked back, expecting to see Ryan on his feet, but he hadn’t moved. What the hell?
Distorted noise echoed through the loudspeaker system, the words garbled and grating.
Get up.
Chase wasn’t sure if he’d said the words aloud. His vision became a pinpoint focus on a too-still Ryan lying in the dirt.
Then the bullfighters and medical team erected a human tent around Ryan and he couldn’t see a damn thing.
Get up kid. Come on. Shake if off. Don’t scare your mama like this. Jesus. Don’t scare me like this.
More medical personnel raced over. A stretcher appeared. Then an ambulance. It never looked right, a ghostly quiet emergency vehicle slowly rolling across the arena dirt. No flashing lights, no wailing sirens, no rush.
The sound of spectators clapping as they paid respect to the person leaving via ambulance partially roused Chase from his stupor. Seemed as if he’d blinked and the next rider was up, and the rodeo was back in business.
He turned and literally ran into Ava. “Let’s go to the hospital. Ryan is probably freaking out. I imagine Jackie is already on her way.” He took Ava’s hand and they weaved through the melee of contestants leaving the event. She didn’t speak until they were in his truck.
“Will Ryan be okay?”
Chase shifted in the seat. “In small events like these, there are no med techs, so they automatically take injured riders to the closest hospital as a precaution. And Ryan is young. Old timers like Taz refuse to ride in an ambulance and find their own medical treatment. But I doubt a youngster like Ryan put up much of a fuss when they told him he needed to go to the hospital.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s explains a lot.”
They made the drive to the hospital in silence. He parked in the emergency lot, and it seemed to take an hour to walk through those emergency room doors.
Chasin' Eight: Rough Riders, Book 12 Page 25
