The arena comes into view—lights blazing against the mountain darkness, the sound of cheering crowds and the announcer's voice carrying on the night air. It's smaller than some of the venues I'm used to, but there's something about it that reminds me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place.
A memory surfaces and brings a smile I can't suppress. "First buckle I ever won was at a junior rodeo in Casper. I was seventeen. Thought I was hot stuff until I got home, and Dad reminded me that one buckle doesn't make a champion."
"Sounds like your father," she says quietly.
"Yeah, well. He wasn't wrong." I help her out of the limo, my hand lingering at her waist.
The med tent sits just outside the arena proper, a white canvas structure that could be transplanted to any rodeo grounds in the country. Doc Mackey’s already waiting, along with his usual collection of medical equipment and paperwork.
"Right on time," he says, looking up from his clipboard. "This shouldn't take long."
"Whatever you need, Doc." I hand Kinsley my jacket, start unbuttoning my shirt, then pause with a grin. "Just don't cut this one off me. It's the last good dress shirt I own."
Doc chuckles. "I'll try to restrain myself."
I finish with the buttons and shrug out of the jacket and shirt, acutely aware of Kinsley's presence behind me. When I turn around, she's definitely looking—her gaze traveling over my chest and shoulders with the kind of attention that makes my blood run hot.
I raise an eyebrow. "Like what you see?"
The blush that spreads across her cheeks is worth every second of the cold mountain air hitting my bare skin. "Just admiring the view, cowboy," she says with mock seriousness.
"Uh-huh." I step closer, close enough that she has to tilt her head back to meet my eyes. "See anything that needs attention?"
"Maybe," she whispers, and the word sends electricity straight through me.
"Alright, Romeo," Doc Mackey’s teasing breaks up the heat of the moment. "Save the flirting for when I'm not here."
As the doc pokes and prods, all I can think about is the look of pure want in Kinsley's eyes. Having her here feels right. More than right.
“All clear," Doc Mackey announces, making a note on his clipboard. "Range of motion's good, swelling's down. You’re good to go."
I pull my shirt back on while watching Kinsley watch me. I’m ready to do something about that look.
"Thanks, Doc." I shake his hand. "Appreciate you staying late for this."
"No problem. Good luck tomorrow." He gives Kinsley a nod. "Nice meeting you, miss. Take care of this one—he's got a habit of thinking he's invincible."
"I'll keep that in mind," she says handing me my jacket, as she drinks me in with a look that makes my pulse kick up.
The ride back to the hotel is quieter than the trip out. Kinsley's sitting closer now, her thigh pressed against mine, her hand resting on my knee. I cover her hand with mine, threading our fingers together.
"How are you feeling about tomorrow?" she asks.
"Good." I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Better than I hoped, now that you're here."
"You don’t have to say—"
"I mean it." I turn to face her, taking in the way the passing streetlights play across her features. "You make everything better, Kinsley."
She studies my face in the dim light, something uncertain flickering in her blue eyes. "This is moving fast."
"Fast doesn't mean wrong," I say quietly.
I lean closer and kiss her, soft and slow. She melts against me with a little sigh that about does me in. The limo stops at the hotel, and I help her out, my hand settling at the small of her back as we head inside.
In the elevator, I step behind her, my arms coming around her waist, one hand settling flat against her belly. I feel her quick intake of breath as I lean down to press my lips to the curve of her neck, just below her ear. She melts back against me and her head tilts to give me better access. My other hand slides up to rest just below her ribs, and Ican feel her heart racing under my palm as I continue to kiss her.
The soft chime of our arrival breaks the spell, and we step apart, both breathing like we’ve been holding our breath this whole time. I keep my hand on her back as we walk down the hallway, the air between us crackling with tension. At her door, she turns to face me, key card trembling slightly in her hand, and I can see the want and uncertainty warring in her expression.