Free The Roper (Rodeo Nights) by Fancy Moore

Bobby Devlin settled himself in the saddle, fully aware that he was being watched as his gelding backed into the chute. He sucked in a deep breath, then released it slowly before nodding sharply to the timekeeper. The barrier penning horse and rider snapped open and they were free.   A second later Bobby’s rope sailed through the air and dropped over the calf’s head. He jumped off his horse and the animal backed up, keeping the rope taunt as Bobby threw the calf to the ground. His hands moved in a blur, completing the tie before he threw them in the air and looked to the judge. His tie held and the horn sounded.
    Feeling pretty good, he glanced over to the rails and saw her standing there, watching. Casey Smith. The sultry dark haired barrel racer he’d seen around the circuit for a while now. He grinned and tipped his hat to her, laughing when she blew him a kiss, before walking away with a sassy swing to her hips.  
    Once the judge gave the all clear, Bobby rode out of the arena and joined the other ropers to wait for the results. The nice thing about being last in the line-up was that there was no waiting for the results. Second Place. Not bad, but he could do better. At least he was in the money.  
    He collected his winnings and headed for the barns where thoughts of the little barrel racer filled his mind as he rubbed down his horse. They’d been flirting long distance for too long, and something told him that if he didn’t make a move soon, she never would. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Women usually hit on him, and he loved them for it. Mind you, those women were always after the same thing as he was, nothing but a good time, and some instinct told him that this one was different. The question was, did he want different?
      His horse rubbed down he filled the water and feed buckets, locked the stall door and left, the sexy little barrel racer flitting around in his mind.
    Rounding the corner to the main barn run he heard the whispered cursing before he saw her. Her back to him, her perfect ass moving towards him, he grinned. She was trying to drag a seventy pound bale of straw.
    “Let me get that for you,” he said easily picking up the bale.
    “Thanks,” she said smiling up at him.
    “Lead the way and I’ll follow you.”
    He watched her ass, the denim molding around each cheek as she lead him down the barn aisle, around a corner to a box stall. Opening the door she pointed to the corner.
    “I really appreciate your help. It would’ve taken me forever to get it here.”
    Bobby dropped the bale and leaned against the wall watching her spread the bedding over the stall. She was about five two with curves that didn’t know when to stop. Small breasts, but they’d do. Her long hair was braided, making her look about sixteen but he knew she was older. As he watched her work in silence, he realized it wasn’t really the way she looked that attracted him. Sure, it had gotten his attention, but what had kept it was the way she carried herself, her independence when it came to asking for help, like right now. It was the way she’d blown him that kiss.
    Plus, he admired a person who looked after their horse well. Some people, stupid people, didn’t understand that the better care you gave your ride, the harder they worked for you in the ring, but   it was clear this little lady wasn’t stupid.
    “Thanks again,” she said when he just stood there, watching her. “I got this though.”
      “I’m Bobby Devlin,” he said holding his hand out.
    “I know who you are,” she said as she straitened up, hesitating for a second before reaching for his outstretched hand. “Casey Smith.”
    Heat shot up his arm at her touch and he fought the urge to pull her against him. She was beautiful, sexy and he wanted her. Giving his head a shake he tried to dispel the image of picking her up and having her legs wrap around his waist as he took her right there, against the wall in the smelly barn.
    “Buy