We seemed to move closer and closer to each other, without noticing it, and before I knew it I was practically sitting in his lap. The stadium was getting more packed by the minute with fans. Whooping and hollering was filling my ears, becoming louder and louder until I couldn’t take anymore. That’s what I told myself anyway.
Truthfully, it was the heat of his leg next to mine. My blue jeans were already sticking to me but then put me next to a good-looking man, who wasn't hitting on me, and I was attracted to him.
And yes, I knew how pathetic that was.
“Well, I’m going to get going. It is getting too full for my taste.” I waved my hand like I was cooling my face from the heat and the number of people who had arrived.
He looked down at his iwatch and stood up as I did. Almost perfect timing. “I need to leave too.” He turned back to tell his friends he was leaving and followed me down the stadium stairs. I waited until he got all the way down, although I wasn’t really sure why I did, but I did.
As we walked out along the railing, I began fanning my tank top away from my chest due to the heat. I felt like I could melt into a puddle.
He stood behind me as we walked, making sure I was safe. I had never had a guy do that for me and I found it extremely charming.
We reached the exit and I felt the cooler air on the skin of my face. Thank Heavens.
“Hell, I thought I was sitting in a sauna.” He took off his hat and moved his hand through his hair a couple times.
I laughed. “Yeah, it doesn't help when we are packed in like cattle, more than half of them drinking so they are sweating even more.” I made a disgusted face and he laughed.
“Do you have a few minutes?” I asked.
“Sure.”
“Follow me over here. I wanna show you a horse that I’ve known since he was a colt.”
We walked side by side and made small talk until we made it to where the horse stalls were.
“This one.” I stopped and moved closer to the stall door and put my hand in to show some love to my favorite horse.
“Remington, meet Wyatt, Wyatt, Remington.” He walked up and I petted him lightly on the nose.
“Hello, Remington.”
I watched as he lightly touched him on his nose and watched as Remington let him. Remington was not a fan of anyone, especially males. He was rescued as a young colt and hated men for reasons of his own.
“This guy I have known for years. He was rescued when he was young from a ranch who had gone under. We’ve been longtime friends.” I smiled. The man who had rescued him was friends with my grandmother.
“He seems pretty attached to you. My aunt does a lot with rescue shelters. She retired as a farrier a couple years ago. She would love this guy too.”
I turned to Wyatt. “I just wanted you to meet him. He goes to a lot of rodeos now locally and loves to show off.”
“Thank you for sharing him with me.”
We stood with our arms on the railing in silence, taking in the moment. The quiet was nice, and I couldn't remember the last time I felt comfortable, just being still with no words in the air.
We started to walk toward the parking lot and I had a smile on my face bigger than Texas. I liked being with Wyatt.
His scent was pretty intoxicating too. Clean with a touch of cologne, just enough it made me want to sniff him. Sandalwood?
And then sniff him again.
Hold yourself back, Breigh, for Pete’s sake. He’ll think you are a creep.
“Where are you parked?” he asked.
“I’m in the back lot, on the right.”
“Okay.”
We walked slowly to the truck my grandfather had left for me when I turned seventeen. It was old but had an AC so it was hard to part with. In the Texas heat that was all I required. Oh, and a good radio, of course.
I stopped when we arrived by my truck. “This is mine.” I pivoted back on the heels of my boots, not sure on what to do at this moment. I was hot and tired, but I really didn't want to leave his presence.
He moved a little closer to me and then stuck out his hand. “I’m Wyatt.”
“Breigh.” I shook his hand and didn't want to pull away. We stopped the movement but held our hands in the same position. Our eyes didn’t leave each other, as if we were looking for something, neither of us sure exactly what.
His hand was rough and I immediately craved it on my body. And no, not how most people would think. I love hard hands. Emma always got irritated with me when I said that, but I loved to think that real men still existed in the world, that they were not all paper-pushers. Maybe just some still knew the value of a day’s hard work. It spoke volumes to me.
I pulled my hand away and then moved into him for a hug. He was a little shocked but complied.
“So why the reintroduction?” I asked curiously.
“I have always believed that nothing good comes out of people who meet at a bar, or dance hall. So this way we officially could say we met here, at the rodeo.”
I nodded my head in agreement. We stayed close enough that I worried he could feel my heart beating rapidly. I wanted to feel his lips on mine.
Get a grip, woman!
Wyatt leaned in as I held my breath with anticipation. He kissed my cheek and then stepped back with a smile on his face, judging my expression.
“Thank you for walking me to my truck. I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. See you around some
