Rodeo Hearts

Chapter 19

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I really hope you enjoy this chapter.

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I opened the door to a smiling Brayden. I took a moment to look him over shamelessly. He had on a dark pair of denim jeans and a fitted black t-shirt. His hair looked as if he just ran his hand through it.

"Like what you see?" He asked smirking.

"No." I told him teasingly.

He took a step towards me and crashed his lips to mine. A few moments later we both pulled away breathless. My stomach felt as if it was doing somersaults.

"That's to make up for lost time. I've missed you." I looked down and blushed as he said this.

"I've missed you too." I said, smiling.

"Shall we get going?" He asked, holding out his arm.

"We shall." I took his arm and we walked to his truck together.

He opened the door for me and helped me in. I told him thank you as he shut the door. Brayden walked over to his side before sliding into his seat. After he buckled up and turned the ignition switch, the truck roared to life.

We pulled into the parking lot of a quaint Itailan restaurant. The brick restaurant, sat on a street corner in the midst of the town.

"I hope you like Italian. This is the best Italian restaurant in Cheyenne." He said nervously.

"I love Italian!" I reassured him.

"Good." He breathed a sigh of relief.

Brayden held the door for me and he followed in after me. We were greeted at the door by a woman a little older than myself.

"How many?" The woman asked almost robotically.

"Two." Brayden replied.

She leads us back to one of the back tables and seated us. The host sat our silverware and menus in front of us before walking back to her post by the door. A moment later our waiter walked to our table. The waiter looked to be no older than Brayden. He looked me up before asking, "What can I get you to drink?"

"I would like a sweet tea with lemon." I told him.

He started to walk away, but Brayden called him back. I looked at our waiter in disbelief.

"Excuse me." Brayden said almost angrily.

"Yes?" The waiter said.

"You didn't take my order." Brayden stated.

"Sorry sir. What can I get you?" The waiter asked embarrassed.

"I'll take a sweet tea with no lemon." Brayden began to flip through his menu annoyed at our waiter.

The waiter walked off and silence enveloped the atmosphere. Brayden was concentrating on the menu in front of him. I took a moment to look around the restaurant. Everything was of hardwood furnishings. Italian paintings were hung on the walls surrounding the restaurant. The aroma of food being prepared in the kitchen made my mouth water.

Our waiter came back and sat our drinks on the table.

"Are you both ready to order?" He asked.

"I'll have the Tortellini Alfredo and a Ceaser side salad." Brayden said before looking my way.

I had no clue of what was even in the menu. I rushed through the menu before ordering quickly, "I will have the Brocoli Linuigini with a Mozzarella Caprese side salad."

The waiter nodded before scurrying back to the kitchen. Silence took over the table once more. Did I do something wrong? I thought.

"No. You did nothing wrong." Brayden said.

Did I say that outloud?

If I didn't do anything wrong, then what is bothering him?

"Then what's wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Our waiter." His jaw clenched.

"What about him?" I asked confused.

"You didn't notice. Did you?" He asked in disbelief.

"Notice what?" I had no clue as to what he was talking about.

"The way he completely ignored me, when he was taking your drink order. He couldn't take his eyes off you. Which, I can't say I blame him." he rambled angerily.

"Is someone jealous?" I grinned.

"Yes." he deadpanned.

"The reason I wasn't paying attention to him was because someone else held my attention." I told him honestly.

He smiled at me before taking a sip of his tea. Are you ready for Cheyenne Frontier Days?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. How about you?" I fiddled with the remnants of the straw wrapper.

"Yeah. In a way it's no different than any other rodeo." He said.

"Except It's the 'Daddy of them all' ." I said smiling.

"There's that." He laughed.

We made small talk until the food was brought to our table. The waiter sat our steaming plates in front of us before retreating to refill our drinks. The rest of the meal was eaten in mostly silence other than the occasional small talk. That night as he walked me to the cabin door, he asked, "Are you free tomorrow morning?"

I thought a moment before telling him my reply.

"I don't think I have anything to do."

"Good. Do you want to come to the ranch for a few hours?" He asked leaning in.

"I would like that very much." I smiled.

"Do you know what else I want?" His gaze was on my lips.

"What's that?" I asked blushing.

"This." He said as he crashed his lips to mine.

Our lips moved in sync as I pulled him closer, as if it was possible. I ran my hands through his hair as I let him deepen the kiss. We broke away breathless moments later. Brayden smiled at me as he rubbed his thumb gently over my cheek. He leaned in and kissed me on the forehead before we said our goodbyes.

That night before I fell asleep, I received a text from Brayden.

From Brayden:

"Goodnight, Princess. Sweet dreams."

I smiled as I texted back.

To Brayden:

"Goodnight, Prince Charming."

I set my phone on the nightstand before letting sleep overwhelm me. Within moments I was sound asleep.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. In this chapter we saw Brayden get a little jealous. Please tell me what you all think about this chapter?

I hope you got everything you asked for this Christmas, but remember the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!