Page 92 of Sweet Madness
Reaching up, I trace my fingers over his overgrown beard. “I always want you to be safe,” I whisper.
His warm eyes soften as he bends over and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. No matter how many times he does that, I’ll never believe it’s real. This all seems like a dream I’m too afraid to wake up from.
“Come with me, yeah?”
The way he asks me, I would follow him anywhere. To the depths of hell if he asked me to.
“Anywhere,” I blurted out, making him smile. He then grabs my hand tighter and leads the way to the contest area. Once there, we find ourselves among a crowd of spectators eagerly waiting for the contest to start.
A man dressed much the same as Shaw suddenly appears in front of us, clapping Shaw on the back in a familiar manner. Shaw’s initial reaction is a tense, almost instinctive response, his demeanor briefly reflecting a hint of anger before he quickly masks it. He then nods tersely at the man, clearly recognizing him.
The man with black hair, blue eyes, and a sleazy smile grins broadly at Shaw and remarks, “Well, well, Golden Boy. Looks like you finally crawled out of the hole you were in. Hope you’re not thinking of competing.” His gaze then shifts to me, his tone mocking, “It’s a shame for such a pretty lady to see you lose.”
Shaw’s jaw tightens slightly at the man’s words, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. Despite the cocky man’s taunt, Shaw remains composed, his focus solely on me. The arrogant man is completely forgotten as Shaw turns to me.
Holding onto his hand tighter, I ask, “Do you know him?”
Shaw nods tersely. “Boone McAlester. A bitch from the past.”
I snort, and he smiles broadly, leaving me breathless. “Are you competing?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t do that anymore.”
“You should.”
“Yeah?” He grabs me by the waist and pulls me closer to his body. “And why is that?”
“I would love to see you kick his ass,” I grin.
“You’re so sure I can beat him?”
Raising my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck. “I would bet all my lucky stars on you, Shaw Banning.”
He glances down at me with tender eyes, saying nothing as if he’s contemplating the idea. It takes him only a second to make up his mind. Nodding once, he takes my hand firmly in his and leads me towards the sign-up tables for the bareback riding contest. I follow him, and amid the bustling crowd, I watch him fill out the forms and sign up for the competition. He looks so cocky that it makes my heart race. God, he’s so hot without even trying.
Once registered, Shaw steers us away from the busy area, seeking a quieter spot where we can have some privacy. Finding a secluded corner away from prying eyes, he gently removes his weathered cowboy hat and places it carefully on my head. With a slight adjustment, he ensures it shields my features enough to prevent easy recognition. “Well, look at that… a perfect fit.” Liar… the hat is too big on me. Still, I can’t help the butterflies that dance in my belly.
I beam at him, touched by his sweet attempt to shield me from prying eyes. No matter what happens between us, he always keeps my safety his top priority.
Feeling a surge of affection for him, I stand on my tiptoes again and plant a gentle kiss on his chin. His reaction is swift yet tender; he catches me by the back of my neck, drawing me closer. Our eyes lock in an intimate exchange as he leans in, his lips meeting the tip of my nose in a soft, lingering kiss.
Time seems to slow around us, the world fading into the background as we share this brief moment. Shaw’s touch is gentle yet possessive. His warm gaze holds mine before he leans in close to my mouth and whispers, “I’ll be back.” He reaches into his back pocket and retrieves something, holding it out to me.
A taser.
“If someone gets near, use this on them and scream,” he instructs quietly, his eyes locking with mine to emphasize the seriousness of his words. “You scream bloody murder and I’ll be at your side in no time, yeah?”
I nod as I take the taser from his hand. “Yeah,” I affirm softly.
Shaw gives me a nod of assurance and a quick kiss on the lips before stepping away, his intense gaze lingering on me briefly. With a final glance over his shoulder, he continues on his way, leaving me watching him leave like a lovesick fool.
I watch him stride confidently towards the horses, my gaze following him until he disappears into the bustling arena. As the bareback riding contest commences, I find myself immersed in the excitement, cheering on each contestant with fervor while keeping a keen eye out for Shaw.
Time seems to stretch as I eagerly wait for his turn. When Shaw finally emerges into the arena, mounted atop a powerful horse, my heart skips a beat. He looks every bit the magnificent figure I know him to be, his presence commanding attention and admiration from the crowd. Both men and women cheer him on, their eyes shining with excitement.
I can’t contain my own excitement as I scream Shaw’s name at the top of my lungs, my voice blending with the cheers and applause of the large crowd. With my polaroid camera in hand, I capture moments of his performance, each snapshot a memory saved forever.
Shaw handles the horse like a pro, his movements fluid and precise. The crowd erupts into cheers as he navigates the challenges of the ride, showcasing his strength and talent. I watch with awe and pride, recording every moment, my support unwavering as I root for him from the sidelines.