Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders 11)

No wonder Chase had buckle bunnies dogging him after a performance. Seeing him move like that on a bull, they imagined how he moved while riding them.

Don’t pretend you haven’t imagined it.

Ava watched him tug off his helmet and squint at the scoreboard. The announcer drawled, “You just watched the ride to beat, folks. Let’s give Bill Chase a hand for his ninety point ride!”

That was his best ride and score yet.

That caused contestants to look at him differently. Her lens tracked his progress as he accepted handshakes and pats on the back. But his young buddy showed his excitement by picking Chase up and spinning him around. For being self-conscious about his height, Chase took it with humor. Then he knocked the kid’s cowboy hat off his head and strode away.

You could be in big trouble, falling for this man, Ava.

No. She was in lust with him. His “just friends” edict made him more appealing because she hadn’t been just friends with a guy since high school.

Something caused Chase to look her direction. He aimed a smoldering stare at her. A stare that seared her body right through the lens. A stare packed with so much raw sexual power Ava bobbled the camera. Her pulse pounded as Chase took his own sweet time sauntering toward her, but his posture wasn’t the least bit casual. “That was some ride, Sundance.”

“Thanks. Felt good.” Those stunning blue eyes searched hers carefully from beneath the brim of his ratty-ass ball cap. He blurted, “Will you leave the contestant area with me tonight?”

“Need me to bat away all those bunnies for you?” she teased.

His jaw tightened. “Yeah. Seems to be a lot of them at this event.”

“So you’re done avoiding me?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because you haven’t been around since we arrived in Scottsbluff.”

“I’ve gotten up early to work out. I met this rookie kid last week. After I rode, he cornered me, calling me out as Chase McKay.” He smiled sheepishly. “The little shit promised to keep my secret if I gave him bull ridin’ pointers.”

“Which you did.”

“Not that he listened to me. Kid is such a greenhorn. And stubborn? He won’t turn his foot out, refuses to wear a helmet, won’t consider a trying a different wrap. So I gave up talking to him about bull ridin’ and we watched the slack competition. What did you do—” his knuckles grazed her br**sts as he reached for the lanyard around her neck “—besides craft fake press passes?”

“I had my assistant whip them up. Realistic, don’t you think? I needed access behind the chutes so I can video you from a closer angle. It’s made a huge difference. You won’t believe the footage I got today.”

His rough-skinned hand enclosed hers. “Ava. We need to talk.”

The lanky, shaggy-haired young rider inserted himself between Chase and Ava. “Man, that ride was epic. Textbook. I—”

“Ryan Ackerman, I’d like you to meet Ava,” Chase inserted.

“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t realize…” Ryan wiped his hand on his leg before he offered it to Ava. “Good to meet you.” His gaze dropped to the press credentials. “Wow. You’re a reporter?”

“Of sorts. Were you happy with your ride tonight?”

“Well…I…ah…I…”

Ava touched his arm. “This isn’t an interview, okay?”

“Sorry.” Ryan blew out a breath. “I pretty much suck at that kinda stuff.”

“The longer you do it, the easier it gets,” Chase said. “You goin’ to get your bag? ’Cause I was headed that way myself.”

Chase and Ryan returned as she finished stowing her video camera. Chase placed his hand in the small of her back, guiding her around groups of people. He paused before they exited the gate. “So, Ryan. Got a girlfriend at home?”

“No. Why?”

“Just making sure you’re free and clear since we’re about to stroll through the buckle bunny beltway. Got a preference? Blonde or brunette?”

Ryan blushed to the roots of his sandy-brown hair. “Don’t matter. Them kinda girls never look twice at me anyway.”

Chase flashed a devious smile. “That, my friend, is about to change.” He let his gaze fall to Ryan’s duffel bag. “You carrying condoms?”

“What the…? Why would you…?” Ryan glanced nervously over his shoulder to see who was within earshot.

“Simple question. Yes. Or no?”

“Yes,” he hissed. “Happy now?”

“Not as happy as you’re gonna be.” Chase put his lips on Ava’s ear. “Feel like snapping a few pictures of the PRCA’s newest up-and-coming bull rider?”

The warm rasp of his deep voice in her ear sent an electric tingle down the right side of her body. She automatically leaned into him. God he smelled good. Like leather and man.

“Ava?” he murmured. “Did you hear me?”

No. Whisper it again. At least ten more times. “Sure.”

As soon as they cleared the gate, a half-dozen women descended on them—mostly on Chase. Although Ryan topped Chase by six inches, Chase clapped the kid on the shoulder, pushing him front and center. “Damn good ridin’. You keep that up and I’ll be watching my back the rest of the season.” Chase discreetly nodded to Ava.

“Ryan, could I get a couple of pictures of you? Maybe leaning against the railing?”

“No problem.” Ryan dropped his duffel bag and struck a pose. “How’s this?”

“Tilt your chin up, sugar,” Ava drawled. “We want a clear shot of that handsome face of yours, not your ratty old hat.”

Ryan grinned goofily and Ava was completely charmed by this sweet man-boy.

She tested the flash twice after Chase moved to stand next to her.

A bold buckle bunny inserted herself between them—breasts first. “Who’s he?”

“Ryan Ackerman. A bull rider.” Chase confided, “Wasn’t that eighty-three point ride tonight something? Now he’s sittin’ in second place.”

“Really?” The busty brunette offered Ryan a jaunty little finger wave and a come-hither smile.

The poor kid didn’t know what to do besides blush.

Ava cajoled, “Come on, Ryan. A couple more shots. Then you can charm all these lovely ladies who are waiting on you.”

Ryan swallowed hard as his eyes darted to the women who’d formed a semi-circle behind her and Chase.