Page 7 of Barn Burner (Love The Game #2)

Brayden

I’ve made it my daily mission to tease Jesse to the point where he’s doing an epic impression of a bull. Nostrils flaring. Hands fisted at his sides, like it’s taking every ounce of strength to keep a hold of his restraint. Licking over his damn lips like he can almost taste me.

Am I being mean? Maybe. But while I might be a cocky little shit on the ice, I’m still finding my confidence when it comes to making a move on guys. I can flirt all day long, but there’s flirting, and there’s putting it into action.

I’ve found it hard meeting guys since I came out as bisexual last year while I was still playing for New York.

My teammates were supportive, and so was the organization.

I even took part in a photoshoot for Queervolution magazine, showcasing out athletes from various sports across the world last summer.

It’s been great to be able to provide visibility and representation for LGBTQIA+ players, not just in hockey but in sports in general, but it’s also come with a different kind of pressure.

There are eyes on me now. A weird investment in my personal life that wouldn’t have been there before, and even though my agent has my back, she’s advised me to be careful, because the sad reality is sometimes people can be assholes and use your vulnerability and bravery as a weapon against you.

But Jesse’s safe. He has no clue who I am. Neither does his family, by the looks of it, as they haven’t mentioned anything about the Bobcats or hockey, and that gives me the chance to make a move and act on my wants without fear of repercussions.

So, Mission: Ride a Cowboy is in full swing.

This morning, Sara gave me the keys to one of the ranch vehicles so I could head into town and pick up a few things, as Cooper is still waiting for the replacement part to arrive for my car.

Apparently, it should be in the next few days, but to be honest, I’m grateful it’s taking longer than expected.

It’s giving me a chance to really disconnect from the real world.

I’ve explored areas of the ranch, making sure to stick to the gravelled tracks.

I found a small stream where the water was so clear I could see the details of every stone on the riverbed.

I’ve worked out with the most incredible view in front of me, along with a few cows who decided I was their form of afternoon entertainment.

It turns out having a bunch of cows stare at you is almost as terrifying as the Bobcats trainer, Dave, shouting at me to push harder.

I’ve never gotten through a set of burpees so fast before.

But now, I’ve taken over the kitchen in the main house.

My phone is propped up on the countertop, showing the text thread with my mum.

I woke up with the idea that I wanted to do something for the Huxley family as a thank you for putting up with me for the last five days.

So I texted my mum and asked her what I could do, and her response?

Cook them a roast chicken dinner.

I love the optimism she has in me, considering it was only when I signed with New York six years ago that I learned how to cook diced chicken, rice, and pasta, but that’s as far as my culinary skills go.

Until today.

I hope I can impress Jesse.

Once I’ve chopped up all the vegetables and potatoes, the timer beeps, letting me know the chicken is ready to come out of the oven.

I search in the drawers for the oven gloves, then carefully take the tray out, placing it on top of the stove.

Tossing the oven gloves aside, I check it’s cooked as per my mum’s instructions, then pick up my phone and snap a photo of the perfectly roasted chicken, sending it to my mum and Jude.

Check me out! Call me Gordon Ramsay because I’ve smashed this whole cooking shit!

Jude

You definitely got it right with ‘shit’.

Fuck you!

Jude

I’m kidding. It looks good, knobhead 3

Mum

Boys! Mind your language. Brayden, that looks very tasty. I’m sure they will be grateful for the effort you’ve put in.

Thanks, mum!

Jude, hope your milk goes lumpy.

Jude

vomit emoji

salute emoji

Jude

middle finger emoji

Mum

eye roll emoji

“Holy shit! It smells fuckin’ amazing in here.”

I startle at the sound of another voice, almost dropping my phone in the process. Turning, I greet Rhett with a lopsided grin. “Yeah? You think so?”

He nods, rounding the island to refill his canteen from the water dispenser in the fridge. “What are you making?”

“A roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings.”

He lets out a low whistle. “Damn. I’m sure looking forward to devouring that later.”

I chuckle nervously. Rhett is quieter than Cooper, but not as quiet as Jesse. Neither of which is a hard feat. I haven’t quite got him figured out yet, but he seems like a good guy. He spends most of his time out seeing to the cattle.

“Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells.”

“I have no doubt,” Rhett smiles, twisting the cap on his canteen to secure it tightly, then taps his knuckles on the island. “I’m headin’ back out, but give us a shout if you need anything. Jesse should be back in ’bout an hour. Cooper’s around… somewhere. I never know where he is.”

I nod, smiling. “Thanks.”

He lifts his hand in a wave over his shoulder, then disappears back outside to where he’s tied his horse to a fence post. He gets back in the saddle, then takes off on a trot, back toward the fields.

With everything prepped and ready to go, I head back to the small lodge and freshen up.

Who knew cooking could work up such a sweat?

By the time I make it back to the main house thirty minutes later, Jesse’s back from the afternoon trail ride.

I don’t say anything, just watch silently from the open barn doors as he murmurs quietly to the horse he’s brushing down.

Strong hands smooth over the animal’s rib cage, and I can feel the touch like it’s a warm caress over my skin.

What would it feel like to have those calloused hands smoothing over my body?

Jesse moves to the horse’s head and takes her muzzle in both hands. I can’t hear the words he says, but he leans forward and gives her a quick kiss before leading her into the stall.

He might be grumpy, but he has a gentle soul.

Leaving him to do whatever it is he does, I head into the kitchen and pull up my mum’s instructions on my phone again and flick the oven on to warm up again for the potatoes.

By the time I hear the sound of boots stomping on the deck, the final timer beeps. Everyone filters in, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over how good it smells.

“Wow, Brayden, this looks amazing!” Sara beams, placing her hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

“It sure does!” Cooper chirps, rubbing his hands together.

The room fills with conversations about the day, and when Jesse appears at my side, I stand a little straighter.

“This looks really great, Brayden,” he praises quietly, his lips hitching in a small smile.

My breath comes out in a quick huff as I look up at him. “Yeah?”

He nods, humming, then takes my plate as well as his own and carries them to the table. I follow him like a little fucking lamb, feeling a tiny bit embarrassed about how much I enjoy his praise.

Do I have a praise kink? Maybe. I think if he told me I’m a good boy in that gruff, gravelly voice of his, I’d probably nut on the spot.

“Hey, Brayden, we’re heading to the bar tomorrow night for some drinks,” Rhett announces, pointing his fork at me when I glance over. “You should come.”

“Yes!” Cooper agrees. “You ever ridden a mechanical bull before, Brayden?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “No, I can’t say I have.”

“It’s all in the legs. You gotta have strong legs and a strong core.” Cooper jabs his thumb toward Jesse. “Jesse currently holds the top spot on the scoreboard.”

My gaze darts to the man in question, eyes widening slightly as images of how good he’d look riding a bull flash through my mind. The fluidity of his body. I bet his biceps would bulge under his hold on the strap. The sensual roll of his hips in time with the mechanical bull…

My cock appreciates the vision, thickening inside my shorts. I adjust in my seat, quickly hiding my grin with my hand as I raise a brow in curiosity. “Does he now?”

“Yeah,” Rhett scoffs, not picking up on my teasing tone. “The asshole has been unbeaten for over nine months.”

“Well, shit, I’ll bet those hips have some magical rhythm.” I lower my hand, pressing my palm flat to the table, and catch Jesse’s eye. Smirking, I drop my voice and say, “I’d love to see it in action sometime.”

Jesse’s nostrils flare as he stares me down from the opposite end of the table. Those icy eyes are full of heat. Full of need. And I can’t help but swipe my tongue to wet my lip.

“And I guess I’ll just have to try and beat his score,” I challenge.

And hopefully, my prize will be a ride on him.

The bar is exactly how I imagined a country bar to look. The interior has exposed brick and wood-cladded walls adorned with vintage metal signs and a huge Canadian flag hanging from one of the thick timber roof beams.

There’s a lot of wood. Like a fancy barn but with lights and speakers, and TVs mounted to the walls showing a Professional Bull Riders event.

There’s a nice mix of high-top tables and leather sofas, leaving plenty of space for a shiny dance floor.

There are also pool tables and a darts board, and on the far side is the mechanical bull.

It’s bustling for a small town on a Saturday night, and while I’m excited to come out, have some fun, and tease Jesse some more, I’m also strangely… nervous.

I don’t know what I’ll do if people recognize me.

It’s dark enough in here that they won’t be able to spot me from a distance, but it’s light enough that you can see your surroundings clearly.

And the thought of someone knowing who I am has me a little on edge.

Would they make a scene and tear me apart for missing out on bringing the cup to Calgary, or would they commiserate and show their support for the next season?

Either way, I don’t want to find out.

Tugging the brim of my ball cap lower down, I sidle up at the end of the bar, somewhat shielding myself between Rhett and Jesse. I’m tall at six foot one, but these two guys have a few inches on me.

“What will you be having?” Rhett asks, slapping his palm against the bar top. Cooper orders a beer, so I opt for the same.

“Whiskey?” Rhett asks, angling his chin over his shoulder to Jesse.

“Mhm, just the one as I’m driving,” Jesse murmurs.

His eyes assess the crowd from beneath the shadow of his hat, one elbow propped against the countertop.

He’s wearing light-wash jeans that hug his thighs in a way that makes me want to kneel down and ask him to squeeze my head between them, and a dark gray plaid buttoned shirt.

The top few buttons are left open, giving glimpses of tanned skin and dark hair.

I want to run my tongue over his skin. He’s so impossibly handsome and downright sexy.

If I don’t get to ride this cowboy before I have to head back to the city, then I might just cry.

Okay, maybe that’s a little over-the-top, but I’ll still be gutted.

Rhett hands over a cold bottle of beer, and they tell me about the time Cooper got drunk and ended up getting lost on his way home from the bar, only to fall asleep in one of the fields and wake up to being stared down at by some of the cattle.

All the while, I’m aware of how close Jesse has gotten toward me as the place fills up.

His thigh bumps the back of mine as he rests a boot on the foot rail of the bar, and the touch is almost scorching.

Bringing my beer to my lips, I take a swig, feeling my body heat from his proximity.

Just as I’m swallowing another sip, Jesse runs his fingers down the center of my spine to the waistband of my jeans.

His touch is deliberate. Intentional. And as I cover my choke with a cough, he drops his hand, but not before grazing the underside of my ass cheek.

I snap my eyes to him. He’s watching me with a knowing look, one thick brow arched in challenge, and the corner of his mouth kicks up in a smirk as he brings his glass tumbler to his lips.

Is he giving me a signal that he’s up for some fun?

Fucking hell. I don’t know how I’m going to survive the night without dragging this man into the bathroom and climbing him like a tree.

Cooper orders another round, this time ordering a soda for Jesse, but rather than accepting the bottle of beer right away, I let my eyes drift to where the mechanical bull is.

The wild part of me wants to go up there and put on a show for Jesse, but the anxious part of me is worried that it will put me in the spotlight, increasing the risk of me being noticed.

Cooper must notice the direction of my gaze because he pipes up. “I’ll give you fifty bucks if you stay on for at least eight seconds.”

I snort, picking up my drink to give me something to do with my hands. “Just eight seconds? You implying I don’t have stamina?”

It’s Cooper’s turn to let out a bark of laughter. He quickly turns to Jesse, flashing his brother a mischievous smile. “Oh, I have no doubt that you do, but my big brother hasn’t had anyone come close to ridin’ his top score, and I know he’ll really appreciate watchin’ you try.”

“Cooper…” Jesse all but groans, but he doesn’t deny it.

Fuck it.

Taking a quick sip of beer for courage, I turn to Jesse and place a hand on his shoulder, lowering my voice enough so only he can hear. “Just so you know, while you’re watching the roll of my hips, I’ll be thinking about what it’ll be like to squeeze your hips with my thighs.”

He sucks in a sharp breath, and I give him a flirty wink before heading over to the operator of the bull.

I don’t have to wait long for my turn. The operator talks me through what will happen, and then I step into the inflatable ring. I grab hold of the leather strap and swing my leg over, spreading my legs wide to accommodate for the wide bull.

“Are you ready?” the operator asks.

My eyes quickly dart to where Jesse is watching me with such intensity, a shiver rakes down my spine. My cock throbs at the sight of him, all hot and commanding.

Fuck, I hope his thread is close to breaking because I’m starving for a taste.

Twisting my cap backward, I nod. “Hell yeah.”

It’s time to show this cowboy how well I can ride.