Page 6

AMOS

M an, you should’ve seen me last night. Hooked up with this barrel racer from Oklahoma.”

Wyatt Callahan falls into step beside me as we leave the arena, both of us dusty and coming down from the adrenaline from our rides. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows as we walk across the fairgrounds, with crowds of families streaming all around us.

“She rode me all night long, if you know what I mean.” Wyatt grins like he’s won the lottery instead of describing another meaningless hookup.

I bet he won’t remember the woman’s name a week from now.

Though I can’t fault him too much—there was a time we were both out there tom-catting around, having fun with all the women who said yes.

“Yeah, sounds great.” The words come out flat, distracted. My mind keeps drifting to Rebecca’s booth, wondering how the voting is going, whether she needs help with anything. They’re doing the semi-finals today, which I’m confident she’ll make it past.

“What’s with you? You find a sweet piece of ass yet? This fair’s got plenty to choose from. Don’t tell me you can’t get it up anymore…”

The crude description makes me wince. Three days ago, I might have responded the same way. Now it feels wrong, disrespectful to the way I want to live now, not the past me who saw women as conquests and used my fame to get laid.

“Watch your tongue, boy,” I warn, but I know Wyatt is just giving me a hard time, not insulting me. “Actually, I met someone. Rebecca. She’s different.”

It feels strange to say that I’ve met a woman who has gotten under my skin. I’ve spent so long chasing a good time that even admitting I like a woman for more than just a good time conjures a strange vulnerability in me. This is new ground for me.

Wyatt stops walking and stares at me. “Different how? She not putting out?”

“Different like special.” I adjust my hat, suddenly unsure about the wisdom of having this conversation with Wyatt. “She’s got me thinking about a different kind of future.”

“Whoa, hold up.” Wyatt reaches out and grabs me by the arm, turning to look at me like I’ve announced plans to join the circus. “You’re talking about settling down? You ?”

The question hits hard. Six months ago, the idea would have been laughable.

I’ve spent nearly twenty years avoiding anything that looked like commitment, following my father’s path of temporary everything.

Yet watching Rebecca and seeing her passion and commitment to her family, listening to her talk about Sunday dinners and belonging, has awakened something I didn’t think I could ever have.

“Maybe. I don’t know. She makes me want things I never thought I wanted.”

“Huh. More power to you, man. I’ll never settle down, but if that’s what makes you happy, I hope she feels the same way.” Wyatt shrugs, already losing interest. “I’ve never met a woman who’d make me consider giving up my freedom.”

“What about—”

“Don’t say her name.” His expression shuts down completely, his eyes darkening in an instant. “We’re not talking about that.”

I’ve known Wyatt for five years, and in all that time, he’s only mentioned the woman who broke his heart so badly once, when we were shit-faced after a night we both lost.

“All right. But you know what I mean about finding someone who changes everything?”

“No,” he says quickly, adjusting his hat brim to hide his eyes. “And I plan to keep it that way.”

As we reach the gates leading back to the main fairgrounds, my thoughts drift to yesterday morning’s conversation with Rebecca at the diner.

The way she talked about her family’s Sunday dinners, with lots of family gathered around the table.

The casual invitation to join them sometime, like belonging was something she could offer.

“You heading to find your girl?” Wyatt asks, nodding toward the exhibition hall.

“Yeah. Want to see how her competition went.”

“Good luck, man. Hope she’s worth all this soul-searching you’re doing.”

As Wyatt heads toward the beer garden and I walk toward Rebecca, I know with absolute certainty that she is. Worth the soul-searching, worth the risk, worth changing everything I thought I knew about my future.

“You came to watch me ride.”

I find Rebecca as she’s leaving the arena. I’m still dusty from the event, and my eyes search her face.

“I wanted to see if you could back up all that swagger,” she says, her voice breathy and sexy as hell.

“And?”

“I’m impressed.” She steps closer, her eyes fixed on mine.

This woman has no fucking idea how much her opinion means to me. Every time she shows up, smiles at me, just fucking shares the same air I’m breathing? Nothing else matters.

“Enough about me. Tell me about the semi-finals. How did you do?”

“I’m going to the finals!” Rebecca’s face lights up and she jumps up.

My heart leaps as I watch her excitement and enthusiasm. “I knew you would, Spice Girl. Your chili is going to win you a lot of awards.”

“Awww,” she says, a beautiful blush spreading from her chest to her cheeks. “Walk me back to my hotel?”

“It would be my pleasure,” I say, tipping my hat to her before extending my arm for her. When she slides her hand in the crook of my arm, my body lights up with the rightness of how it feels. This right here, Rebecca on my arm, telling me she’s impressed? Best fucking day, ever.

Now, we’re outside her hotel room, and I’m reluctant to let this evening end. My craving for Rebecca shakes me to my core. Every moment in her presence tugs at something deep inside—a need for a future with her, for something strong and lasting.

“I had a good time tonight. Watching you was thrilling. I know it’s dangerous, but you make it look…not easy , but like you’re completely in control.” Her voice is softer than usual as she searches for her key card.

I lean against the doorframe, drinking in the sight of her.

“It pleases me to hear you say that. I wouldn’t say I’m in control, but when you’ve done this as much as I have, you learn how the bulls react and how to read the way they move.

Your event went well. I hear a lot of folks talking about your chili. ”

“Thanks to you helping.” She finds the card but doesn’t immediately move to unlock the door. “You didn’t have to stay for as long as you did.”

“I wanted to,” I say, and it’s the honest truth. I genuinely crave her company and will do whatever it takes to be with her. Nothing else in my life ever has felt as right as being with Rebecca. “I can’t seem to get enough of you, Rebecca.”

The admission slips out before I can stop it. My eyes find hers, and I see my hunger reflected in her eyes.

“Amos.” My name comes out soft, uncertain. “What we talked about earlier, about this feeling real—”

“I meant every word.” I step closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of vanilla and spice that always surrounds her.

“Rebecca, I know this is probably taking you by surprise. It’s sure as hell like that for me, my feelings for you consuming me.

Being with you is the only thing that feels right. ”

“What do you feel for me?”

How I answer her question is loaded with possibility and risk. Looking at her face in the hallway’s soft lighting, I realize I have to lay it all out.

“It’s like I’ve been sleepwalking my whole life, and you woke me up. Like every town I’ve been to was killing time until I found you. Like you’re the home I’ve been looking for without even realizing I was lost.”

Her breath catches audibly, and her blue eyes glisten. “Amos.”

“I know it’s too much, too fast. But Rebecca, I can’t get enough of how being with you makes me feel. You’re everything I want. I swear on my life this is true.”

For a moment, we look at each other.

Then she steps forward, eliminating the space between us, and reaches up to cup my face in her hands. “It’s the most real thing that’s ever happened to me too.”

When she kisses me, it’s nothing like the performance at the square dance. This is soft and exploratory, her lips parting under mine with a sigh that goes straight to my cock. I slide my hands into her hair, angling her face to deepen our kiss, and she responds immediately.

The kiss builds slowly, heat spiraling between us until we’re both panting when we pull apart. When she pulls back slightly, her eyes are dark with want.

“Do you want to come in?”

“More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

She unlocks the door with shaking hands, and I follow her into the room, my heart pounding with anticipation and overwhelming need. This isn’t just attraction—it’s the culmination of three days of growing connection, of finding the missing piece of myself I never knew existed.

The door closes behind us with a soft click, and suddenly, we’re alone in the dim space lit only by the lamp she left on.

“Rebecca.” I reach for her, but she steps into my arms before I can complete the motion, her body fitting against mine like she was made for this exact moment.

This time when we kiss, there’s no hesitation. Her hands fist in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I back her toward the bed with careful pressure. I’m torn between wanting to make love to her urgently and wanting to take it slow and savor every moment of pleasure with her.

I slide my hands under the hem of her shirt, my palms exploring her soft, luscious curves, and she arches into the touch with a breathy moan that makes me dizzy. Her skin is silk, and when I lift the fabric over her head, she doesn’t hesitate or try to hide.

“You’re so beautiful.” The words come out reverent, awed. “So incredibly perfect.”

My cock is already hard and throbbing, straining against my jeans as I drink in the sight of her.

Full breasts that fit perfectly in my palms, soft curves that make my mouth water, skin that glows golden in the lamplight.

She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and the fact that she’s here with me, wanting me, feels like a miracle.

“You’re amazing, Rebecca. Absolutely amazing.” I trace the line of her collarbone, then follow the path with my lips. “I can’t believe you’re real.”

She reaches for my shirt buttons, her fingers surprisingly steady as she works them free. When her palms spread across my chest, skin to skin, I close my eyes and concentrate on breathing.

“You feel so good,” she murmurs, her mouth finding the hollow of my throat.

I work at the clasp of her bra with careful fingers, desperate to see more of her, to worship every inch of perfect skin. When the lace falls away, I groan at the sight.

“God, you’re gorgeous.” My hands map the curves of her breasts, thumbs brushing over peaked nipples that make her gasp. “You’re my Spice Queen , Rebecca. You’re so perfect.”

The desire coursing through me is overwhelming and needy. My cock aches, but this moment is about her—I don’t want to rush this.

“I want you so much,” I whisper against her ear, my voice rough with desire. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

When I lower her to the bed, she reaches up and traces my face with gentle fingers, like she’s memorizing every detail. The tenderness in the gesture makes me want her even more.

“This feels like more than just tonight,” she whispers.

“It is more than just tonight.” I kiss her palm, then her wrist, working my way down her arm with deliberate slowness. “This feels like the beginning of everything.”