Free Used (Unlovable, #1) (Unlovable Series) by Lynetta Halat Page A

says as he gestures toward his manhood. “When it comes to my hands and my dick, they only go near the girls who are wanting it. So if it gets that far, it’s ‘cause she’s asking for it. And I don’t think I’ll need to be answering to you when it comes to that.”
    Greer lunges toward Austin, but I step between them before he can get in Austin’s face. “All right, that’s enough. Austin, quit trying to start shit.” I glance over my shoulder at Greer. “Greer, Denver’s tough enough to take up for herself. And I’m sure she wouldn’t appreciate you standing guard around her.” I pat Austin on the shoulder and turn him back toward the arena to watch the next cowgirl.
    “Yeah, boss,” Austin grumbles. I turn toward Greer and raise my eyebrows when I see him staring me down now.
    He has the nerve to hold a finger up in my face. “Don’t kid yourself thinking you know what she would or would not want. You had one ride together. That’s it.”
    My eyebrows shoot up further in surprise. “Whoa now, you sound like a jealous boyfriend. And from what Denver told me, y’all are just friends.” For some reason, the fact that he considers Denver his foregone conclusion rubs me the wrong way. Probably because I sensed her doubt about them as a couple when we were talking, not to mention the little fact that I’m set on making her mine.
    His jaw clenches and unclenches. “You know nothing about her and will know nothing about her. It’d be best if you just steer clear.” With that, he turns on his heel and stalks off to where his horse is tied up. I turn back to the arena and wonder what kind of screwed up situation I’m about to get myself involved in, and if it’s worth it. Rephrase—is she worth it?
     

 
     
    Chapter Seven
    Denver
    T HE GIRLS AND I gather around the fence to watch as the bull riders get ready to do some practice rides on a few bulls who were turned out to pasture. It’s not as effective as practicing on rodeo bulls, but it will get them back in the swing of things.
    Austin is up first, and he gives an impressive ride, even making it to the buzzer his first go-round. I noticed his free hand touching the bull’s neck, which earned him a lot of booing and ribbing from the other cowboys. Tall riders like he and Ransom have to be careful not to “slap” the bull because it results in disqualification, even if they’ve stayed on for the full eight seconds.
    A few other cowboys ride who, even though we met, I couldn’t remember their names. A couple of them looked like they just started riding bulls and got bucked off quickly … and not prettily. Another one had a decent ride.
    While Pete’s getting situated for his ride, I look instead at Maggie. She’s studiously ignoring me and has a feigned look of disinterest covering her features. Her only tell is the focus of her electric green eyes. They dance with energy as she watches him pound his fist closed and nod. I hear him say, “Let’s go,” and he’s off.
    Turning back, I watch as he hangs on to the bull’s every move and does it with grace and fluidity. When the bull spins, he spins with him, steady and sure. The buzzer sounds, and Pete springs off, landing on all fours. He snatches his hat off the ground and swipes the dirt from his knees as he laughs and jogs toward the fence. The other boys take turns congratulating him with slaps on the back and crude talk as they help pull him up and over the fence to safety.
    Last to ride is Ransom, and a buzz runs through the small crowd as everyone who’s paying attention spreads the word that he’s about to ride. He’s that big of a deal. There hadn’t been a bull rider like him in a long time, and we are all quite aware that we’re in the presence of greatness.
    I laugh to myself when I realize his bull is, by far, the feistiest of the day. I’m sure that was no accident. I suck air through my teeth when the bull jars Ransom’s body forward trying to ram Ransom’s head into