Have Mercy - Christina Lee Page 0,57

game.

“Sure, for target practice, but it’s honestly been years,” I confessed, then rolled my eyes, thinking about how Hunter would get in trouble with my father for shooting at random things as a kid, like possums or empty beer cans. He’d always try to make a competition of things. “Hunter’s got a collection, though. Says he keeps ’em around in case of emergency. Which is actually pretty rare on the ranch.”

Julian smirked. “Why am I not surprised?”

We grabbed a couple more beers and were about to plop down on barstools again when his gaze shifted toward the billiards table.

“No way,” he said, pointing to the bull-riding machine in the corner.

“Welcome to Wyoming.”

“I dare you,” he said with a glint in his eye.

“Had my share of turns on those things. I dare you.”

“Hmm…” He seemed to be considering it.

“You don’t know anybody. It’s only a stupid machine, not a real animal,” I encouraged him in a low voice. “I say go for it.”

“I’ll do it.” He lifted his bottle and chugged down half of his beer, likely for liquid courage. “There’s always a first time for everything.”

I grinned as I followed him toward the machine. Once he got himself on the bull’s back, he looked a bit wary, and I thought maybe he was going to change his mind, but then he got this determined look on his face.

“Scoot up as close to the front of the saddle as you can, and brace your legs against the sides,” I said, so he positioned himself behind the bull’s head. “Grab the rope with your dominant hand and swing the other arm out for balance.”

The machine was turned on, and he did well for the first couple of seconds. I saw a moment of pure joy on his face—before he was flung off. I caught him by the waist as he stumbled toward the floor and before he twisted his bad knee or something worse.

“That was awesome.” He turned in my arms and looked up at me. “Thanks.”

“You did good your first time.” I wanted to pull him against me right then and kiss the hell out of him, but that would defeat the whole purpose of the stupid plan I had to begin with.

As we made our way back to the bar, I was approached by a regular, a blond with a muscular build, whom I’d seen a handful of times before. He wasn’t my type, but Julian certainly was his because he’d been checking him out since we’d arrived.

“Who’s your friend?” the guy asked, looking Julian up and down, and I felt momentarily protective, like I wanted to hide him away from his roving eyes.

Once introduced, he asked to buy us a drink, so we sat down and he ordered us shots of whiskey.

“That man has been eyeing you all night,” I said when he excused himself to put some coins in the jukebox.

“And?” Julian asked, looking me in the eye.

I shrugged, but my entire body was thrumming with raw nerves. “You should go for it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why did you bring me here?”

“I thought it would be fun,” I said in the best nonchalant voice I could muster. “And I thought maybe…maybe you could get it out of your system.”

“Get what out?”

“Me. I’m just another body, after all. Someone to enjoy for an evening.”

His jaw tensed. “You’re more than just a body.”

My chest tightened like a screw. “You know what I mean.”

“Whatever.” Julian turned away from me as the guy returned and asked him to dance to whatever country song he punched into the rotation.

I watched numbly as they made their way to the floor and the guy encircled Julian in his arms. I noticed Julian tense at first, and then…then he just gave in to it. They danced and talked and flirted, and I felt like I might puke. What was I thinking, bringing him here?

Thankfully my phone buzzing with a return text from Zee distracted me.

I’ll be back in town for longer next month. Catch up with a beer?

Deal.

During the second song, Julian whispered something in the guy’s ear, and the guy motioned toward the hallway where the restrooms were located. Julian didn’t even look at me as he strode in that direction. I stood up, my feet propelling me to follow him.

When I gained on him, I reached for his wrist, spun him around, then crowded him against the wall.

“What the hell?” he asked, but there was no bite in his question, only…surprise mixed with bald