Reckless Hearts

by Jessa Wilder

“I want it back.” I shrug, cocky. “Too late. Smells like me now.”

“You’re kind of a mess right now,” she says with a little smile. “Yeah, well,” I mutter. “You try saving a guy’s life, kissing him breathless, and then immediately getting wrapped up by a girl who smells like heaven, and see how you do.”

“Take care of her,” Maverick says before exiting the room, not waiting for my response, already knowing that I’ll do it, with or without his command. But there’s something so much hotter with him directing me.

I want her moans and whimpers, but I want his too.

“This is dangerous,” Colt says, lazily draping his arm over the back of the seat behind me. “Three idiots, one truck, no supervision.” I glance at Maverick. “When have we ever needed supervision?” He huffs a laugh, tipping his head back. “Good point.”

“You remember when you fell in trying to show off?” I murmur, nudging Colt’s boot with my toe. He cracks one eye open, grin lazy. “I was demonstrating advanced river-crossing techniques.” “You lost your shorts,” Maverick supplies helpfully, chucking another rock toward the water. “Strategic,” Colt says solemnly. “Kept me aerodynamic.”

“You drive like a pissed-off raccoon on meth,” Colt says. “You drive like you’re ninety-five and blind.”

Because tonight is ours. Tonight, the world is gold. And tomorrow… Tomorrow can’t touch us.

If eight seconds on the bull is dangerous, eight seconds hung up is fucking terrifying.

“Do you have any idea how exhausting it is trying to keep your ass alive?”

“You’re not gonna survive being loved properly, are you?”

“How’s the pain?” the doctor asks, raising an eyebrow like he already knows the answer. “Manageable,” Colt lies through his damn teeth. The doctor doesn’t even blink. “Sure. And I’m a ballerina.”

“You’ve got a shattered collarbone and a bruised tibia,” he fires back, already unfolding the crutch. “What you’ve got is a one-way ticket to landing flat on your ass if you try and play hero.”

“Why are you staring at me?” I shrug, a loose smile tugging at my lips. “Just makin’ sure this isn’t a dream.”

“Need help?” “I’ve got it,” I mutter, even though I absolutely don’t. I get the jeans and boxers halfway down my thighs. Maverick leans forward from where he’s sitting behind her, expression unreadable, voice dry. “Don’t be stubborn, princess.” “Fuck off,”

“Was I—” My laugh hitches on the breath. “Am I the bottom?”

“You two really know how to wreck a girl.” “Pretty sure it’s the other way around,”

I used to think bull riding was everything. That nothing else could match the way it made me feel free, wild, infinite. But now? Now I know better. I don’t want the ride. I want the landing. I want the after.

They think they’re subtle, but come on, Maverick refilling Colt’s travel mug before the man even opens his eyes? That’s not friendship. That’s a damn love letter.

“I think we’re going to have to examine your definition of cute.”

“Oh my God. Are all three of them?” “Did she just kiss both of them?” “Wait. Are they, like… together?” Maverick slings an arm around my shoulder, deadpan as ever. “Think we broke ’em.”

“Y’all could’ve warned me.” “You needed the reminder,”

“I so did not need a reminder. Hell, I can promise you that I will never need a reminder.” He huffs, but he’s grinning now, wide and unrepentant, then winks. “But feel free to give me one anytime.”

“You two done flirting? I’m hungry.”

“I’ve got you,” I promise again. “Both of you. Always.”

“I don’t think I can feel my legs.” Callie lets out a choked laugh and leans forward to press a kiss to his jaw. “Pretty sure Maverick broke you.” “I’m okay with that,” Colt mutters, boneless.

Even from here, I can tell they’re searching. Their gazes sweep the crowd, sliding past VIPs and cameras and the hum of the arena until they find me. Just like that, the act drops.

Turns out, love doesn’t need protecting when you accept it for all that it is.”

“What? It’s true. He promised he’d quit and then died doing the one thing he swore he wouldn’t. Sounds like selfish bullshit to me.”

“My dad loved us.” My voice breaks, unsteady. “I know he did, but he still didn’t choose us. It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough. How am I supposed to believe anyone else ever could?”

“Everything you’re afraid of could still be true. They could love the sport more. They could say no. But it would still be worth asking. Because not asking? That guarantees you lose.”

“Ride like hell for me, Princess.” Maverick’s voice starts as a caress then morphs into that low command he uses while he fucks us. “Show me how good you are.” I twitch as shivers run down my spine all the way to my toes. “Okay.” I nod, stunned dumb. He pushes off me, gaze focused on where his thumb traces the edge of my mouth. “Go. Win this fucking thing. Then get your ass back to me. I’ve got plans for you.”

“And just as much as I’m sure I love you, I’m equally sure… I can’t stay if you’re going to keep competing.” I brace myself for the silence. For the pity. For the heartbreak. “So this is me choosing you. Asking you to choose me.” “There has never been another option,” Maverick says, his voice low and steady. “You’ve always been the only choice. No ride, no win, certainly no damn buckle will ever compare to how I feel about you. I will always choose you. I will always choose us.” “Honestly, I’m a little insulted you didn’t know that,”

“Circling back,” he murmurs, voice lighter now, “did you just say you love us?” “Uh… yeah.” “Say it again.” “I love you.” Colt kisses me. “Again.” “I love you.” “Again.”

“Are you… do you have anything to say to me in response?” Maverick arches a brow. “You mean besides saying ‘fuck bull riding’?” “Let’s be together forever,” Colt adds. “Please don’t leave us. You mean besides all that?” Maverick grins. “Ah… when you put it like that…” Colt laughs and dips me backward, whispering, “I love you,” against my lips before kissing me senseless.

“Hey, what about me, asshole?” Colt cuts in. “I love you too,” Maverick grumbles, and I snort. Colt flushes bright red and mutters, “Alright, whatever… you too, I guess,” Maverick leans in to kiss him over my head, all teasing gone. “I love you.” Colt breathes out like the words knocked the air out of him. “Damn. When you say it like that… I love you too.”

“You thinking about running again?” he teases, voice low. I huff a dry laugh. “Nah. Might just take a minute to believe it’s real.”

“You three look like a damn movie poster,” he mutters. “You planning on riding off into the sunset or just sitting there long enough to make everyone jealous?” Colt smirks. “Little of both.”

“Unless you’re volunteering,” I say, “maybe keep that brilliant commentary to yourself, cowboy.”

“I leave you two alone for five minutes,” he says, “and you’re already making out?” “She started it,”

“You’re the one ogling me like I’m some kind of mural.” Maverick steps closer, eyeing the paint on my skin, grinning as he inspects me. “You’ve got paint on your neck, your arm, and somehow,” his fingers swipe down to my thigh, “your jeans.”

“Unreal,” I say, voice dry. “I’m being hazed by the tidy one.”

“Are you going to come over here or just stand there looking like you forgot how to breathe?”