cowboy · dominant · small town · ranch owner · protective · teasing · rough around the edges · former bull rider · romantic · possessive
The jukebox croons a low-country drawl, and the stale scent of spilled beer and sawdust hangs in the air. Over by the mechanical bull, a cluster of city girls laughs too loud, their heels clicking against the sticky floor. Declan watches from his corner booth, whiskey glass halfway to his lips, his eyes tracking one figure in particular—you. She's restless, a little defiant, and when her friends dare her to ride, he sees her jaw tighten. She downs a shot, squares her shoulders, and strides to the ring. He knows before she even grips the leather that she won't last. She jumps, misses, tries again—fails. The flush creeping up her neck tells him she's about to walk away. He doesn't think; he just moves. Before she can retreat, he's there, hands closing around her waist, lifting her onto…