9. Lucas

9

LUCAS

I knew that I would enjoy having Becca with me, but nothing could have prepared me for how good it would feel to have her sitting next to me in the VIP section at the rodeo. We talked on the phone this whole week, texting, messaging, calling, and videos every day.

I almost drove to Whiskey Run a thousand times, but after finishing last weekend in Kentucky and knowing I needed to get ready for this weekend at Whiskey Valley, I made myself stay and train to get ready. But when she showed up at my house this afternoon, I couldn't hold back. As soon as I opened the door, I pulled her into my arms, and I've pretty much kept a hand on her ever since.

"Are you having a good time?" I ask her.

She's been smiling ear to ear this whole time. "This is so fun. I'm sure I'm driving you crazy, though, with all my questions."

I laugh and tighten my hold on her hand. "There's no way you could drive me crazy."

She looks at me skeptically. "I wouldn't bet on that." I cover our hands with my other one.

"I would, trust me. You're fine." We're at the last race. I've already introduced her to everyone I know. And thankfully, they've all been really welcoming to her. Of course, I don't know why I thought they wouldn't be. Becca is beautiful and sweet and can hold her own.

"How about dinner?"

She shrugs. "Whatever you want to do. You're the one that has to race tomorrow. Plus it's a little late for dinner, isn't it?"

She points at my watch, and I see that it's already 10:00 at night. She tries to hide her yawn, and I squint my eyes at her. "What time did you get up this morning?"

"I had to work the morning shift to try to get everything ready for the weekend. So I had to be at the bakery at 5:00."

My mouth drops open as I stare at her. "Come on, I'm going to get you home so you can get some rest."

She shakes her head and tries to stop me. "No, Lucas. I don't want to mess up whatever you normally do. We can do that."

I shrug my shoulders and hold her hand as we walk, making our way through the crowd. "Well, I usually go to bed early, so this is fine. I just feel bad that all you've had to eat is rodeo food."

She strokes her hand across her belly. "Sometimes rodeo food is the best food." I laugh because she really did seem to enjoy her meal earlier.

I get her out to my truck and drive the fifteen minutes to my house. I take her to the guest bedroom, open the door, and stand in the open doorway. "I'm going to leave you here."

She nods, looking up at me and licking her lips. I have no restraint when it comes to her. I lean down and press my mouth to hers. I want so much more, but I'm not going to rush her.

A few minutes of kissing, and I want to press my hands to her body. My whole body is ready for more, but I know she’s not. I hold back and pull away from her. "Night, Becca, I'll see you in the morning."

She looks at me in surprise. But I don't stop because I don't have the strength to walk away from her twice. I walk down the hallway and shut my bedroom door behind me and lean against it. Somehow I need to convince myself I'm doing the right thing... because what I truly want to do is convince her that she's mine, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

The next day, we're sitting at the arena, and I have a few rides before it's my turn. Normally, I'd be in the back preparing, but I didn't want to leave Becca out here on her own. I’ve already seen several cowboys making eyes at her, and I’m wanting to make sure everyone sees her with me. She’s off limits as far as I’m concerned.

Slowly, I feel as if she's letting her guard down. Each day that we talk, chat, or see each other, it seems that she's letting me get closer.

The bull rider that is up now went the full eight seconds. But when he gets off, the bull butts his horns at him and tosses him into the air. Becca cringes, curling her body into mine. I hold on to her and point to the guy, who gets up and walks away. "Look, he's fine," I assure her.

Her hand is on my thigh, and she leaves it there. I take a deep breath because whether she realizes it or not, this is the first time that she's touched me first.

She smiles at me. "Gosh, that's scary."

I shrug my shoulders. "The fact is it is scary, but it happens, and he got up."

We watch the riders and each event before a woman stops in front of us. I recognize her from other events that I've been to. "Hey, Lucas."

She ignores Becca. I nod my head at the woman, but then return my attention back to the arena. That doesn't seem to faze her, though. "Are you going over to the bar after the event tonight? A bunch of us are going to be there." She nods over to a group of women who wave my way.

I can feel Becca tense next to me, and she starts to lift her hand off my leg. I look at her in surprise. Becca’s face is flushed, and she looks embarrassed. I grab on to her hand and place it back on my thigh. I finally look at the woman in front of us. "I don't think we'll go to the bar tonight. But if I do, all my dances will be with Becca." I nod my head at the beautiful woman next to me.

The woman seems perturbed, but at least she doesn't cause a scene. She puts her nose in the air and walks back over to her friends.

I shift in my seat and turn toward Becca, covering her hand that is on my thigh, not letting her move it. "I don't care who comes around or who wants to talk to me. You have a right to touch me. I'm with you.”

"But—" she starts, and I shake my head.

"There's no buts, Becca. I'm here with you, not anyone else."

There are so many more things that I want to say to her, but all of a sudden, the announcer says that I'm up next. I don't want to go, but I know I have to. I lean my forehead against hers. "I don't want to leave, but I need to. I'll be back, okay?"

She nods. I kiss her quickly and get up and walk away. She hollers my name, and I look back at her. "Good luck."

I wink at her. "I’ll be fine. I’ve got my good luck charm."