“It can’t be that different. I’m a hell of a bronc buster. Besides, what makes you think you have any say in it?”
“Because I love you, that’s why!” She threw her arms around him and crushed her lips to his.
It was a kiss of not only passion, but fear and anxiety. They were both worried about Duke.
Electricity pulsed between them. Sam lifted her in his arms and they continued kissing, their lips and tongues sliding together in lustful rhythm.
Sydney pulled away. “I’m sorry. I know now isn’t the time for this. We have to figure out what we’re going to do. Plus, I have a competition this afternoon.”
“There is time. I will take you to the rodeo. Now is the perfect time for this.” He lifted her in his strong arms and carried her to his bedroom.
No bandanas tying her to the bed posts this time. No angry, punishing kisses. This was slow, sweet love. They kissed for a long time and then slowly undressed each other.
When Sam entered her, tears welled in her eyes. Emotion so thick she could almost see it swirled between them. She hadn’t known she’d been so empty until he filled her at that moment.
She loved this man.
Suddenly, she knew she always had.
It was because of her love for him that she hadn’t told him about Duke. She hadn’t wanted to wreck his life, to trap him. He would not understand her logic. She wasn’t sure she understood it herself. She only knew the truth of it in her heart.
His thrusts became harder, and even without the clitoral stimulation she thought necessary, an orgasm rose within her.
They came in unison, panting and heaving, until they were a mass of naked limbs tangled together, breathing heavily.
“That was amazing,” Sydney said.
He grunted, his eyes closed.
“I have to get to the rodeo.”
“I know. I’ll take you.” He didn’t move.
“It’s okay. I can get there myself.”
“No, I want to go with you. We can talk on the way about what we’re going to do.”
“All right.”
They showered in each other’s arms and then dressed. After a quick stop at the hotel for Sydney’s racing clothes, they got to the rodeo without much time to spare. Sydney had given Sapphire a workout the day before so the mare was in good shape.
She needed the purse.
She couldn’t let Sam ride that huge-ass bull.
Sam left her to prepare Sapphire. He’d be in the stands, he assured her, cheering her on.
Sydney groomed Sapphire, trying like hell to concentrate on the race. Her visualization was stunted. She couldn’t picture the race. She couldn’t picture winning.
Instead her mind conjured images of her baby boy on the run with her parents. She’d failed Duke, and she’d failed Sam. What was she going to do?
Right now Sam seemed rational, but who knew what would happen when they finally caught up with her parents and Duke?
Damn it, Sydney, focus!
She tried to concentrate on Sapphire. Nope, wasn’t working. She continued grooming on autopilot, knowing full well she should be bonding with her mare instead of ruminating. The race and the purse depended upon her and Sapphire being in perfect sync.
“That’s my girl,” she said to the horse. Normally she talked in soothing tones while grooming. She hadn’t today. She hoped Sapphire would be okay.