Lincoln Pratt was like no other woman I had ever met before.
Leaning down, I brushed my lips across hers. She tasted like chocolate, and I moaned when my tongue slipped into her mouth.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, and I drew her body to mine, lifting her slightly off the floor when I kissed her. She wasn’t very tall, maybe five three, but she fit against me like we were made for one another. I couldn’t get enough of this woman, and it took everything I had not to call my mother to come get Blayze so I could explore every single inch of her.
We were lost in the kiss. Lost in each other. If it felt this amazing to kiss, what would it feel like to make love to her? I should have been scared of these feelings I was having. And I was scared, but there was something else there. Something so much stronger, pushing the fear back.
Our mouths finally broke apart as I set her on her feet, and our foreheads rested against one another.
“Your kisses,” she breathed heavily, “they’re addictive.”
“I feel the same.”
“Brock,” she whispered, her head drawing back, her green eyes locked on my blue, “thank you for letting me spend the evening with you and Blayze.”
Smiling, I leaned down and rubbed my nose to hers. “Tomorrow night, it’s just you and me.”
Her breath hitched, and her eyes closed for a brief moment.
I lifted my hand and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, sweetheart.”
Lincoln’s eyes snapped open as her mouth parted slightly. “I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.”
My heart felt like it had slammed against my chest as I crushed my mouth to hers, pushing her into the door.
“Daddy? Are you and Miss Lincoln girlfriend and boyfriend?”
We both froze before I stepped away from Lincoln. Her lips pressed together as we stood there with our eyes locked.
Glancing down at my son, who was now standing next to me, I didn’t even have to think twice with my answer. “Yeah, buddy, we are.”
Her eyes sparkled, and a smile spread over her face before she looked down at the ground and then cleared her throat. “Night, Blayze! I’ll see you in the morning.”
He waved to her. “Bye, Miss Lincoln! Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
Her smile faltered, and she said, “Ugh, not what you want to think about in a hotel.”
I laughed and opened the door. I watched as she walked down a few doors. Blayze was standing in front of me, also watching Lincoln. He waved when she waved to him. Her eyes lifted to mine, and she dug her teeth into her bottom lip.
“Night, gentlemen.”
“Night!” Blayze loudly called out before I covered his mouth and winked at her.
“Sleep good, sweetheart.”
Lincoln nodded and slipped into her room. Blayze took off, running back into our room. It took me a few seconds to get my composure and join him. He was on the bed, jumping.
“Someone got his second wind.”
“I like Miss Lincoln. You like her, too, huh, Daddy? You were kissing her!”
Pulling him down, I rustled his hair. “I do like her, buddy.”
“Is she gonna be my new mommy?”
Everything came to a sudden stop. At least it felt that way. My heart stopped. My breathing stopped. The happy feeling I’d had vanished.
“What?” I managed to get out.
Blayze shrugged. “Dalton’s dad has a girlfriend, and they’re gonna get married. She’s gonna be his new mommy. I never had a mommy, and I want one.”
Panic started to build inside me. I liked Lincoln a lot. She was the first woman who’d made me want something more than a quick fuck in my hotel room. Dating her was a huge step for me.
The idea of marrying her . . . that freaked me out.
“Give me a second, buddy.”
I turned and walked into the bathroom, shut the door, and leaned against the counter. I pulled in one deep breath after another. I wasn’t ready to think so far into the future. I wasn’t ready to let Lincoln into my heart like that, yet I’d let her into my life, and my son’s life, so easily. Maybe too easily.
“Fuck!” I softly said as I dug my fingers into my hair. “What did you do, Brock?”
I’d brought a woman into Blayze’s world all because of how my body had reacted at the first sight of her.
What if things don’t work out? What if she ends up realizing this isn’t the life she wants?
I had a son, and a job that was dangerous. She had moved to Montana looking for a new life.
But does she want a guy with baggage and a kid in tow?
Her own words flooded back into my head.
“I’m not asking for your heart right now. I’m asking for a piece of you. A chance to get to know you.”
Opening the bathroom door, I found Blayze sitting on the bed, watching the Disney Channel.
“Hey, buddy, can I talk to you for a second?”
He looked my way and said, “Sure, Daddy.”
My heart nearly exploded with love. Kaci and I might have had our share of problems, but I knew in my heart we’d loved each other. Maybe our love wasn’t the type of love other married couples shared; I didn’t know. All I knew was that we had made this beautiful creature in front of me. Kaci had given me something I treasured with all my heart, and I would always be grateful to her for that.
I scrubbed my hands down my face and took in a breath. I felt my son’s hand on my shoulder.
“Daddy, are you worried that Miss Lincoln don’t like you back? I’m pwetty sure she does if she let ya kiss her.”
Grinning, I nodded. “Lincoln and I do like each other, buddy, but we’re just getting to know each other. I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Things might not work out, and we could just end up being friends.”
Blayze looked away from me, like he was really letting my words settle in. Then, he looked me straight in the eyes. “Daddy, will you ever get married again, like Dalton’s daddy?”
My heart fell. I hadn’t ever allowed myself to think how it must be for Blayze to not have a mother in his life. I wanted to give him the answer he desperately needed to hear, but I could only tell him the truth. “I don’t know, buddy. I honestly don’t know.”
He smiled, like he knew something I didn’t. Then he patted my shoulder. “Don’t be afraid, Daddy. Mommy wants you to be happy and for me to have a mommy here to take care of me.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Mommy?”
Blayze nodded. “She visits me in my dreams, and she tolds me that. She tolds me I was supposed to tell you it was okay to wove someone. That she knows you woved her.”
Pulling my son into my arms, I held him as I felt the tears fall from my eyes. “I love you, Blayze.”
His little hand gently patted my back, as if he was trying to comfort me. “I wove you, too, Daddy.”
I glanced to my right to see Lincoln and Kaylee standing off to the side. They were talking to Roy MacMore, one of the stock contractors. They, along with my folks and Ty, had gotten to be behind the scenes with me and Dirk today. Ty was currently helping George Ryder, another bull rider, tighten his bull rope. I knew my brother missed all of this and loved being immersed in it again. He had asked me to help him set up an agricultural-education program for raising bulls. And he wanted to teach younger kids about how the bulls used for riding are taken care of and educate them on professional bull riding, which I was all for.
Dirk walked up next to me, his vest on, his helmet in his hand.
“You ready?” I asked.
He nodded.
“You have a late night last night?”
Looking my way, he smiled. “Is that your way of asking me if I hooked up with anyone?”
I shrugged. “Just making sure you know Kaylee is off limits.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “Dude, I think Kaylee is nice and all, but I’m not the least bit interested. Besides, I was with Ty
last night, and a few friends. We all got caught up in a game of Texas hold ’em, and lady luck was not on my side.”
I glanced over to Ty. He was holding on to George’s vest and keeping his other hand out in front of him in case the bull decided to throw George forward. The beast George was on was getting impatient.
“I know this is hard for him, being here and all.”
“He’s tougher than you think, Brock.”
“Yeah, I know he is. I can’t help but worry about him.”
Dirk placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a hard squeeze. “I think this is good for him. Shows him he can be a part of the world without climbing onto a bull. He’s okay.”
I nodded and gave my best friend a smile.
My eyes looked past Dirk to Lincoln. My folks were standing next to her. She turned my way and waved. I smiled and waved back to her. Blayze was already up in the stands with my cousin Kristin. I watched as my folks guided Lincoln and Kaylee to their seats. Where I had them sitting, they would be able to see everything happening at the chutes and during the bull riding.
Dirk was up first. He did his normal routine of doing a few jumps and dropping to a knee, saying a quick prayer, before he got up on the bull. Ty walked up and grabbed the bull rope. Dirk glanced at him and nodded, then ran his hand over the rosin on the rope.
After Dirk got his rope where he wanted it, Ty pulled as I held on to Dirk’s vest.
“He’s probably gonna go to the left. You know he likes that,” I said.
Dirk positioned himself. “Ty, get him to turn,” he said, wanting the bull not to look to the back of the chute.
Reaching his foot over, Ty pushed hard on the side of the bull, making him jump a little so that Dirk could get settled over the bull exactly how he wanted.
A quick nod, and he was out of the chute. Ty and I both watched as Dirk rode almost flawlessly. He kept his hand up and moved right along with the bull. That bastard bull damn near jumped straight up, almost sending Dirk flying, but he held on. He dominated the ride as the bull attempted to throw him, but Dirk wasn’t having any part of it.
“Yes!” I shouted. “Do it! Do it!”
Ty yelled right along with me. “Dig in, Dirk! Hell yes!”
The buzzer went off. I watched as he got his hand free, and Striker, the bull he was on, launched him into the air. When he landed, he hit hard but got up fast and out of the bull’s way.
“Hell yeah,” I said, slapping Johnny G, the stock contractor for Striker.
He laughed and shook his head. “I thought for sure that bull was going to kick his ass.”
The announcer came on with Dirk’s score: 87.5 points.
“He rode good. Now, ride better and show them why you’re number one,” Ty said to me as I rolled my neck.
I glanced up into the stands and saw Lincoln.
“Get her out of your head, man. Come on. Stay focused,” Ty said.
With a nod, I put my helmet on.
My father walked up next to us and slapped me on the back. “Moonshine is feisty today.”
I laughed. “When ain’t he?”
Cody Harris was riding, and I watched as he slid down the bull’s side.
“Shit, he’s going into the well,” Ty said.
Cody’s hand got caught on the rope. The worst thing you want to do is start sliding to the side of the bull with your hand caught.
“Shit!” Ty and I both said.
We watched as the bull jerked him around like a rag doll. Once he finally got free, the medical crew was out there, attending to him.
“Let’s go,” my father said to me, giving me a light pat on the back.
I dragged my gaze off Cody and climbed onto the back of Moonshine.
“He’s up and walking it off,” Ty informed me as he held up my rope.
Running my hand over the rope, I took a deep breath and positioned my hand. “Tighter,” I said, grabbing at the rope and pulling along with my brother.
I knew the camera was there, but I stayed focused. I couldn’t hear Kim, the CBS Sports reporter who was with us every weekend. I couldn’t hear the crowd. The only thing I heard was the sound of the bull breathing and me breathing.
My father’s voice cut in. “Chin down, arm controlled, Brock.”
“Yes, sir.”
Adjusting myself on the bull, I felt my heart kicking up as the sounds of everything around me flooded back in a rush.
The beginning notes of Van Halen’s “Runnin’ with the Devil” started. It was the intro song the PBR had used the first year I was a rookie and drew Diablo. Damn beast had bucked me my first three times on him, and I’d never gotten to eight with that bull.
I could hear the crowd going nuts when the music started. The beat echoing in my ears. I smiled as I put my mouthpiece in.
I loved this shit. Lived for it.
One more adjustment, and I was there. A prayer and then a nod, and the gate flew open. Moonshine didn’t go left. He went right and spun. He bucked forward; I adjusted. He kicked and I dug my heels into him. When he changed direction, I changed with him. That bull was doing everything in his power to get me off, and there was no way I was letting him win.
I heard the buzzer and reached down to loosen the bull rope. Moonshine spun and gave one hard, pissed-off kick. He knew I’d won, and he was not happy.
Somehow, I landed on my feet, pulled my helmet off, and tossed it up into the air.
“Yes!” I shouted as the bullfighters came up to me, each one slapping me on the back and fist-bumping me.
I turned to look for Blayze. He was clapping, and I pointed to him and then pointed up. My mama had taught me to always thank God for a safe ride, and I did. When I looked back, I saw Lincoln. She was smiling and clapping.
As I started out of the arena, they announced my score.
Ninety-one.
“Fuck yes,” I muttered to myself as I walked up to the CBS reporter.
After I gave a quick interview, the only thing I could think about was getting to Blayze and Lincoln.
Chapter Nineteen
LINCOLN
I watched as Brock stood there, waiting to get on the bull. Ty Senior and Junior were both there.
Turning to Stella, I asked, “Does he have to have a qualified ride to stay number one?”
“Well, if he doesn’t, or if he has a low score, he just opens the door for someone to move up. Like Dirk, for instance. He just rode the best I’ve seen him ride in weeks. He’ll move up in ranking, especially if he does good in round two tomorrow.”
Nodding, I took a deep breath as I observed Brock climbing onto the bull. Everyone around him was leaning in and doing something. Ty pulled on the bull rope as Brock rubbed his hand up and down it.
“Okay, the rosin is sticky and helps him hang on to the rope, right?” I asked Stella.
“Yep! You’re a quick learner, Lincoln.”
“I have a good teacher.”
Stella grinned.
The announcer came over the loudspeakers. “All right, everyone, we’ve got the local kid from Hamilton, Montana—and current number one leader in the standings—up next.”
A song started up, and the crowd went nuts. The beat of the song matched the pounding of my heart.
Keeping my eyes on Brock, I tuned everyone out and focused on him. He hit at his hand and adjusted himself before he gave the head nod. I held my breath as the gateman pulled the gate open, and Moonshine came barreling out. My eyes widened in shock at how athletic that giant bull was. I had watched the videos of Brock riding, but live, seeing it in person . . . holy. Shit.
The bull under Brock was filled with rage. Snot flew from his nose as he forcefully jumped so high into the air, I gasped and grabbed on to Stella. The moment he landed, he kicked and twisted in a frantic effort to buck Brock off.
I watched as Brock looked like he was being tossed around on top of the bull. His head whipped back, then his body jerked forward—but he stayed on, his free hand never once coming
down and touching the bull.
How in the world is he staying on that thing?
Stella screamed next to me, and Blayze did as well. Kaylee grabbed my hand as we heard the buzzer go off. Brock reached down to release his hand and was launched into the air. I gasped and jumped up when he landed.
He took off his helmet and threw it in the air. It was then that he turned and pointed to Blayze.
“Go, Daddy!” Blayze yelled as Stella stood next to me, screaming out her son’s name and clapping.
Then, his blue eyes found me, and he smiled. Dimples and all.
My heart melted, and I knew I had just fallen even harder for him. Not to mention it was sexy as hell watching him ride that bull.
“Is it wrong that this stuff is a huge turn-on?” Kaylee whispered into my ear, making me laugh.
Brock headed out of the arena. When they announced his score, Stella nearly knocked me over with a hug. I knew it was a good score from my earlier conversations with Brock.
Sitting back down, I searched for him. I had seen other riders come back up and hang out at the chutes. Ty was still up there, helping other riders, but Ty Senior had made his way toward where Brock was.
When round one was almost over, Stella stood. She took Blayze’s hand and looked at me. “He’s going to win this round. Let’s head down there.”
“Oh, okay,” I said, quickly standing.
Kaylee stayed behind with the boys’ cousin, Kristin.
As we made our way over, people reached out to shake Stella’s hand and congratulate her on the fine job Brock had done. Blayze had asked me to carry him, so I was currently holding him as we made our way over to the side of the chutes. People smiled at me, but I knew they were wondering who in the world this new girl was.
Brock was being interviewed again. He laughed at something the pretty sports reporter said and shook his head. He held a buckle that was framed in a case in his hands. My eyes roamed over him. The cowboy hat, the dark-red shirt, the chaps.
Never Enough Page 17