One Night Rodeo (Blacktop Cowboys 4)

“I never get tired of hearin’ that. Thank you.”

When Devin granted Tanna that million-dollar smile, Kyle could have sworn the rowdy Texas cowgirl swooned.

“So what’s the diagnosis?” Devin asked Celia.

“Still waiting for the X-rays to tell us.”

“Have you called her brothers?” Devin asked Kyle.

Immediately Celia grabbed a fistful of Devin’s sweatshirt, grimacing as she pulled herself upright. “No. And I swear to God I will beat you bloody if you do.” She leveled the same venomous look on Kyle. “That goes for you too.”

“But, Celia, they need to—”

“No. Do you hear me? Janie is in the last two weeks of her pregnancy and I won’t upset her or Abe for anything. And Hank and Lainie are leaving for Boulder for the consult for Brianna’s eye surgery. They need to focus on her and each other, not me. Promise me you won’t tell them.”

Surprised by her tears, Kyle bent closer. Sweet, fierce Celia wasn’t upset about being beat to shit; she was just worried about her family’s reaction to it. “I won’t tell them as long as you promise to call them within a day or two.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “No arguing with me? Really? That’s one for the record books.”

“I don’t always argue with you.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t.”

“See? You’re still doin’ it.”

“You started it.”

“As much as I’d like to stay and hear another round of your bitchy sexual foreplay—not—I need to get ready to ride tonight,” Tanna said.

“Now that I know you’re recovered enough to bicker with Kyle,” Devin said, “I’ll head back to the event center for final sound check.”

“Would it be too much trouble to drop me off at the arena?” Tanna asked Devin. “I’m without a vehicle.”

“No problem at all.”

“You’re both just leaving me?”

Tanna rolled her eyes. “You keep insisting you’re fine, remember? Besides, Kyle will take better care of you than I have today.” She squeezed Celia’s arm. “I’ll see you later.”

“So, brat, you still comin’ to the concert tonight or what?” Devin asked.

Kyle said no at the same time Celia said yes.

“Good luck with this argument. We’re outta here.” Devin held the curtain for Tanna and they disappeared.

“Don’t give me that look, Kyle.”

Kitten, you’d blush to the tips of your toes if you’d noticed how I’ve been looking at you the last two years.

“What look?”

“The bossy one.”

“Tough, because I have every intention of bossing you tonight.”

The curtain rolled back and a young male doctor stopped at the end of the bed. “Good news. No concussion. No broken or cracked ribs. No ruptured organs. You’ll be sore for a few days, and I imagine more bruises will appear. My advice is to take it easy, alternate ice and heat with the sore spots. But I’m well aware you rodeo-ers don’t often follow medical advice. So the best I can do on a medical front is to prescribe painkillers.”

Celia shook her head. “I hate the groggy way they make me feel.”

“That’s how you’re supposed to feel. Like you oughta be laying down resting,” Kyle pointed out.

“That’s rich coming from the bull rider who’s ridden with a sprained thumb, a sprained wrist, a sprained ankle, a pulled groin muscle, and a mild concussion…all in the last year. You refused pain meds and I didn’t see you resting any of those times.”

He had no response for that. Mostly he was surprised she’d taken note of his injuries.

“I’m writing you a scrip for pain meds. Up to you if you fill it,” the doctor said. “The stitches need to come out in a week. Any other questions?”

“Nope.”

“Good. No more mixing bulldoggin’ with drinking Mad Dog whiskey, okay?”

“If you insist.”

The doctor laughed. “You can get dressed. The nurse will be in with your discharge papers shortly.”

Celia sat up and kicked away the blanket, dangling her legs off the bed.

Kyle’s eyes drank in every inch of those ridged calf muscles covered by smooth, pale skin. His gaze traveled up slowly, stopping at the equally sexy curve of her knee.

“Stop gawking at my legs like you’ve never seen ’em before.”

He didn’t bother banking the admiration in his eyes. “Hard not to stare when you’re sporting such a fine pair.”

“You just noticed that?”

“No.”

The air between them vibrated.

Kyle invaded her space. This close to her he felt that one-two punch of something stronger than lust. “Would it be so bad?”

“What?”

“Letting me watch over you tonight?” An internal debate warred in her eyes. Kyle braced himself for a smart-ass rebuttal.

“Watch over me like a brother would?”

“The last way I think of you, Celia Lawson, is like a sister. And you damn well know it.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m glad you came to Vegas, Cele. I was afraid you wouldn’t show up.”

“Kyle.”

“Mmm?” He placed another kiss on the edge of the bandage.