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  The buzzer sounded and relief swept through me that Travis would get scored. The hint of a smile on Colt’s lips instantaneously vanished and he bolted beside me, flinging himself over the rail.

  My heart and stomach solidified as I spun around hoping for anything less than a worst-case scenario.

  The rodeo clowns were doing their best to distract the bronc, but the damn thing had its sights on Travis who was lying face down, possibly unconscious.

  One of them finally got the horse’s attention and drew him away from Travis’ helpless body.

  Rose rushed to my side with the gurney. “I didn’t see what happened. Did you?” she asked.

  “No.” Moving an injured patient was risky. If they weren’t able to tell us what was wrong it was even riskier. But waiting for a wild animal to be corralled made the situation intensely worse.

  The second they got the horse secured, Rose and I jumped the rail and ran to Travis. He didn’t respond to our initial verbal requests but a second later, a mumble and a flinch of his arm filled me with hope. Rose was a chiropractor and a concussion specialist so I glanced at her for instruction.

  The tears running down her cheek surprised me. She said, “We’ll take care of you, Babe.”

  The endearment must have slipped out since I wasn’t aware of them being together. Confirmation of my decision not to date riders.

  Colt and their other brother Luke, rushed to us. Colt’s hand on my shoulder reminded me of another layer of the human element. Travis wasn’t just a patient, he had family that loved him, that counted on me to make him all better, added the damn personal connection every doctor feared.

  The worst part? As soon as we secured Travis and removed him from the arena, the schedule continued because the show must go on which meant Colt would ride shortly.

  Travis was shaken but coherent by the time we got him to medical and Rose stayed with him while I went back to the chutes. He was stable enough but after a concussion eval I was certain he wouldn’t be riding again for a while. Hopefully the rest of the evening would go smoothly.

  The next events passed with no fanfare although I swore the collective gasp of the crowd had grown louder each time a cowboy got bucked.

  Up next, bull riding. I closed my eyes and reminded myself these guys were used to bumps and bruises. They rode because they loved it. And they were going to do it with or without medical help. My heart raced as I saw Colt top the rail, ready to mount his bull.

  How had I broke my don’t fall for a roughstock rider rule my first night on the job? Turns out my brain and heart hadn’t synced up about making a rule and implementing it. My heart wouldn’t hurt any worse if a bull crushed my ribcage.

  Colt had taped his hand and I stared as he methodically strapped himself onto the bull. If he looked up, we’d make eye contact.

  I couldn’t let him see my hurt and worry. But I couldn’t look away. Worse than the classic can’t look away from a car wreck conundrum, watching a bull ride was waiting for the tragedy to happen, evidenced by the couple of deaths in the rodeo world every year.

  Not breathing for eight seconds wasn’t troublesome on its own, but with my heart stopped as well, lightheadedness washed over me. A long eight seconds before the buzzer sounded and Colt was able to get clear of the bull.

  He’d be excited. The points would carry him to the next round and he’d do it over again.

  I took deep breaths, amazed how much less terrified I was when the next bull and rider took the arena. Maybe I should only volunteer at events where Colt didn’t compete.

  My sixth sense tingled again.

  Colton

  I approached Lily from behind and trailed my fingers along her arms, settling my hands on hers. “I figured it out. I’m not supposed to ask you out.”

  Her body had tensed when I touched her but relaxed at my words. I took that as a good sign.

  “I expected you to brag about your ride. Almost a perfect score.”

  I shrugged. “It was nothing. I have something more important to work on. You’re going to give me a chance.”

  A laugh rippled through her body. “I am?”

  “What could one date possibly hurt?” I lowered my lips to her hair but resisted the temptation to turn the gesture into a kiss, even a secret one. When, not if, I kissed her, it would be because she wanted me to.

  “It’s not the dating that worries me…” She sighed and leaned her head back into my shoulder.

  Restraining my body’s natural reaction was impossible, forcing me to tilt my hips away or risk sounding insincere. “My life’s about more than adrenaline and eight second rides. I love the thrill, but I’m in it for the long haul. That’s why I don’t get involved with groupies.”

  She leaned forward, crossing her arms on the railing and laying her head on them. My hands moved to her shoulders to maintain the contact that was fueling me.

  But, the temptation to drag my fingers down the curves of her body was the exact thing I had to resist doing. I couldn’t treat her like a hookup. And if I did, she’d never believe I wanted more.

  In a nearly triumphant tone, she said, “You don’t date groupies, I don’t date cowboys. We both have our limits. Which means, I should confess I’ve had a crush on you since the first time I saw a picture of you. Textbook definition of groupie.”

  Squeezing her shoulder with my good hand, I eased into a shoulder massage then worked it over the top of her back and onto her other shoulder to make up for babying my injury. Adrenaline and pain killers got me through the ride, but reality was setting in and I knew I’d overdone it.

  Lily edged to the side, far enough away I couldn’t touch her. “It’s not the date, the sex, the groupies… I can’t stand to see someone I love get hurt. The whole ‘died doing what he loves’ excuse doesn’t work for me.”

  I shoved my fingertips into my pockets. “Whoa, who said anything about dying?”

  “It happens. We can ignore it all we want, but no amount of skill or a good track record can stop a fatal injury. Or paralysis. Or a concussion.” The words tumbled from her mouth, revealing her fear, overriding every other emotion. She crossed her arms, holding herself the way I wanted to.

  Watching her suffer shattered me. I brushed a hand over her arm.

  Her delayed flinch spoke volumes. There was room for me in her heart as long as I could help her find it.

  “Lily, I can’t promise I’ll never get hurt, but we’re all going to drive home tonight and could suffer any of those problems in a car accident.” I bit back the question of whether she planned on hiding her heart forever, but didn’t want to sound antagonistic.

  “It’s different. When you got on that bull, I knew your life could change forever. I know the statistics. It’s like taking every possible worry and concern and balling them into a few seconds.” She wouldn’t make eye contact.

  I twirled a lock of her hair around my finger. Had she meant to specifically address when I rode as opposed to just anyone? She wasn’t the only person to throw injury and death statistics at me, but that gave me an in. “Cowboys aren’t the only ones with tough stats. Doctors have some dismal stats too. Not that I study that stuff but a friend sent me some numbers on different occupations because he was tired of always getting warned how risky bull riding was. We all take risks. Some with our professions. Some with our hearts.”

  She closed a tender hand over the one I was winding in her hair and pushed mine away.

  “I can’t do it again.” She backed away and tears streamed down her face as she turned and ran off.

  Lily

  Locking myself in the trailer, I was grateful Rose wasn’t there, and even more grateful there were no patients. I didn’t want anyone to see my breakdown.

  People often thought doctors had superhuman abilities but they didn’t. Doctors had the same fears, emotions, and problems of everyone else. They made mistakes. They had a wicked suicide rate. Colt wasn’t wrong to call me out on that.

  I sat for a mi
nute composing myself, dabbed away my tears, and texted Rose and Daisy to make sure they were attending the arena.

  Education fueled the heavy dose of confidence most of us went into medicine with. And while it doesn’t make us perfect, second guessing our decisions could be dangerous.

  Another reason I shouldn’t question my decision to keep my mind clear by keeping cowboys in my life strictly as entertainment. No personal connection.

  A knock at the door startled me. I rolled my shoulders, wiped at the residual tears, and tossed the tissue. Time to get back to work.

  “Lily, I know you’re in there. It’s me, Colt. The rodeo’s over. You’re off duty.”

  I stopped in my tracks. How long had I wasted convincing myself not to give him a chance, because the sound of his voice undid all of my efforts? “Do you need medical attention?”

  “I could give you a cheesy line about checking my heart, but I won’t.”

  Close enough, I loved the insinuation. Staring at the door, I wanted to open it but sensed I was going to let him into a lot more than the medical trailer if I did. I’d never experienced the strange deep attraction he caused. I was used to patients with athletic prowess. I was used to men who had ambition and confidence. I wasn’t used to men who made me feel like they had something to offer. Something that would enhance my life. And I definitely wasn’t used to men who hit a deep sexual nerve, an undeniable attraction beyond superficial fantasies.

  My odds of getting married were decreasing every year, especially since I didn’t join dating websites or hang out anywhere I might meet a guy. I had a great life. I’d thought I had everything. Men were optional. Why did Colt leave me questioning that?

  I reached for the door. Was he still there? All I had to do was wait and life would go on as normal. Did I want normal? “Colt?”

  “All I’m asking for is a chance.” His words confirmed my decision.

  I opened the door and when he didn’t rush in, I was even more certain I’d made the right choice. My subtle nod was all it took for him to brush past me, though. I closed and locked the door then wrapped my arms around his neck.

  His lips dropped onto mine unleashing my pent-up desires. Giving him a chance wasn’t second-guessing my decision. It was a chance, not a lifelong commitment.

  Or I might have been wrong. Colt’s kisses guaranteed we were made for each other. His arms around me provided insurance that I’d be loved harder than anyone had ever loved me. And the erection straining between us promised he’d live up to my years of fantasizing.

  He lifted his lips from mine and whispered, “I don’t do one-night-stands. My short rides only exist in the arena.”

  “You drive me crazy, Colt. We’ll figure it out as we go.” I grabbed his belt buckle and between the two of us, we got all of our clothes off.

  His eyes scanned my body with absolute hunger and ownership, the intensity of his focus firmly on me. The stiffness of his erection was another outstanding sign I was the only thing on his mind.

  My brain tried to overanalyze the situation as always but I made a snap decision.

  Trapping his length between us, I went for another kiss but noticed he was glancing around. I tucked a finger beside his chin, in his scruff. “You already had your ride for the night, so you’re going to lay on the exam table and I’m going to get mine in.”

  His eyebrows shot up and a smile took over his lips. “Yes ma’am.”

  He slid a hand between my legs while embracing me with his other arm. My knees went weak as he drove me closer to orgasm.

  A quick mental inventory let me know his injured hand was behind me. “I have to make sure you don’t get rowdy and aggravate your injury.”

  Colt backed himself to the exam table. “This is one doctor’s order I’m not going to ignore.”

  I ran my hands over his back. The ripples of his muscles under my fingers drove me as insane as his hands cupping my head and my ass. The pressure between my legs had grown into a full-blown throbbing. The agony over prolonging the moment or sliding onto him had me in the unusual situation of being indecisive.

  Both of his hands on the back of my head and our tongues exploring each other caught me in a moment I wanted to savor while the slickness of his pre-cum on my belly taunted me. He’d promised this wasn’t a one-off. We could take our time somewhere more private.

  I distanced myself and pressed my fingers against his chest.

  He took the hint and grinned while situating himself on the table.

  Opening a drawer, I grabbed a condom and tossed it onto Colt’s abs. Not something I’d expected the medical trailer to keep on hand but Rose had informed me people actually asked once in a while. Providing one was definitely a better-safe-than-sorry decision.

  “I’m on the pill, but I don’t think either of us are ready for a surprise.”

  “That makes one of us.” He winked. “I’ll wear it. But eventually, I’m gonna take you bare.”

  As he rolled the condom on, I teased, “What happened to just giving you a chance?”

  “Lily, when you dropped my pants, you signed up for a lot more than a chance.” He reached for my hand and helped me straddle him on the table.

  There was barely enough room on either side of him for my knees, and with his thick cock straining in front of me, I was certain there was barely enough room for it inside of me. My sex ached with even more anticipation.

  “You should have warned me.”

  “You shouldn’t go around dropping guy’s pants.”

  “I meant that you’re so…” I cleared my throat to keep myself from sounding insanely immature.

  “I bet you can handle me.”

  I wanted to fill my mouth with his shaft but since he’d already sheathed himself, that activity would wait for another time. I rose and positioned his tip at my entrance.

  “Go as slow as you need to.” His hands caressed my thighs.

  I lowered myself, stretching around the bulk of his tip. Exhaling, I watched his eyes close.

  “Ride me, Lily.” His fingers dug into my thighs. If his hand was in pain, I couldn’t tell.

  I lowered myself slowly, taking a second to slide up and down while I got used to his length.

  Fully seated, I rested my hands on his chest and caught my breath.

  His groans had my insides clamoring for release while his hands circled my waist.

  Tucking my knees tight against his side, I said, “I need to do this now. Fast.”

  “Go for it. I’ll keep you from falling.” He was so wrong. He was the reason I was falling.

  I rode him, pumping up and down until climax shot through my body.

  His firm grip kept me safe and ran me over his cock while I lost control.

  The orgasm rolled through me over and over again as he continued bucking underneath.

  The final thrust and he pulled me hard onto his shaft, his groans rumbled through his chest, and he surrendered as he met me in euphoria.

  I collapsed onto him, calming our breaths as we rode out the connection.

  One of Colt’s hands stayed firm on my lower back while the other caressed me.

  His hand trailed into my hair and massaged my head. There wasn’t a more perfect moment.

  “How are we going to do this tomorrow? I’ll be scared to death when you mount your bull.”

  “Channel it. That’s what I do. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have so much adrenaline pumping, you’d be able to snap the damn bull’s neck.”

  “I’m pretty sure that won’t happen. But I might snap yours if you let the bull hurt you.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “Don’t test me.” I wrapped my fingers around his neck then ran them into his hair.

  “You wouldn’t have anything to ride if you do.”

  A laugh bubbled from me. He was worth every second I had with him, and I was almost ready to admit it. I closed my eyes to the thud of his heart.

  “They say once you break an animal, you’re respon
sible for it.” The vibrations of his voice traveled through his chest to mine as well as from his lips to my ear. It would sound even better saying those three special words, but I’d been the one to hold back. He was respecting my wishes.

  “Are you trying to say I have to take care of you now?” I would. I could. But broke sounded wrong. I fell for the cowboy who didn’t fear anything.

  He held my head to his neck and planted a kiss, taking a deep breath before continuing. “That’s not how cowboys do things. I think I did more than break your dating rule. It’s my responsibility to take care of you now.”

  I opened my mouth to protest and his finger was on my lips in an instant.

  “Give me your heart. Let me take care of it. I promise, it’s the one thing I’ll never break.”

  “I love you, Colt.”

  “I love you too, Lily.”

  THE END

  Want to read more about the rest of Lily and Colt’s families? Be sure to check out the other stories in the series!

  UNBRANDED is next!

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