Billionaire Cowboy (Book 1 of Richland Series)

Chapter 5

TASTY HOOK UP

Returning to the family, Mary Anne couldn't wait to gossip, “Oh my goodness, you won’t believe who Ashley hung out with backstage?”  The Richland men stepped forward knowing the type of guys Mary Anne pursued. Sipping on a beer with a dazed look, Ashley rolled her eyes and commented, “It wasn’t a big deal.”

 Darren stepped closer insisting, “If it wasn’t a big deal then tell us.” Gage added, “We saw Ally storm out from behind the backstage gate.  Darren leaned into Ashley and questioned, "Were you with Steve?” 

She shook her head no while recapping her time with the blue eyed hottie.  Mary Anne got impatient and tattled, “She was talking to none other than Ryan Johnson, THE headliner tonight.”  Grunts were heard as Ashley smiled trying to control a lite blush on her cheeks.

Darren was stuck on Steve, demanding, “So, did you talk to Steve?”  Mary Anne rolled her eyes and tried to correct him, ‘We saw Steve with Ally, but we ignored them.”  She turned the conversation back on her cousin, “Can you believe Ryan Johnson had his attention on our very own Ashley?” 

Finishing her beer, Ashley tossed it into a garbage can then commented, “It was a nice conversation but I’m never going to see him again.  Can we go now?”  Trish pushed herself forward pass the overprotective males in the family and squealed, “You got his number?”  Mary Anne blurted, “No, she has no way of contacting him.”  

Ashley started walking towards the volunteer parking area, felt buzzed and said over her shoulder, “I have no intention of seeing him again but if I did, he’d be a tasty hook up.”  Mary Anne and Trish screamed chasing after Ashley. 

BEAUFORD'S BAR

Finishing his obligations to the local radio stations, Ryan signed autographs and smiled for his last picture.  Spotting the rodeo hand who helped him earlier, he walked over and asked about finding a local girl named Ashley.  

Matt spoke up while he worked, “Oh, you mean Ashley Richland?  Yeah, her family usually goes to Beauford’s bar, it’s a local bar, a bit rundown but a good place."  Noticing Ryan's mischievous look, Matt added, "Hey, good luck, she’s protected.”  Ryan wondered what he meant, thanked him then left to find a ride. 

Across town, Ashley and her family stormed into Beauford’s bar grabbing a couple tables for their group.  The bar was a run down barn that was renovated with three walls of bars, a large dance floor and an area roped off with a mechanical bull.  Watching drunks attempt to ride the mechanical bull caught Trish’s attention before she could spin around and whisper, “Don’t look now, someone is coming our way.”

Ashley looked over Trish's shoulder to discover Steve smiling as he entered the bar and looking their way. He used to capture her attention, but now he’s just a worthless piece of crap.

Excusing herself and weaving through people to reach the ladies’ restroom, she checked her hair while thinking about her blue eyed hottie.  Peeking out from the rest room entrance, she found Steve talking to a red head and decided to go across the bar to order a drink.  As the bartender, Chris Tillman, handed her a beer,  he smiled and said the drink was on the house.

Ashley insisted on paying but Chris winked and walked off before turning around and winking at her again.  Chris was a hottie who graduated high school a year before her brother Darren.  Why was Chris winking at her?  Taking a sip and turning around slowly she saw a pair of blue eyes walking into the bar.  What is he doing here?

Turning to locate her family, she felt an arm on her hip as someone leaned into her.  “Why are you here alone?” a deep voice asked.  She responded, “I'm here with family.”  Ryan ordered two pitchers then poured a glass and handed it  to Ashley.  He leaned in and whispered, “Well, let’s join them.”  

Feeling buzzed, she smiled then led the blue eyed hottie across the room to her family’s tables. Catching Mary Anne’s attention, whose jaw dropped to the ground noticing Ryan, the Richland men stood tall watching them weave through the crowd.  Ashley couldn't help but wonder if she was walking Ryan into the lion’s den.  Reaching her family, she introduced him to the group. The guys stared while the ladies smiled and winked at Ashley.  

Within seconds, Darren, Luke, Kyle and Gage created a barrier between Ashley and her hottie.  Ryan asked, “Anyone need a beer?”  Mary Anne stepped forward pushing her cousins aside, “You can fill me up,” and gave a wink. Ashley shook her head at her cousin’s s****l innuendo.

THE BODYGUARDS

Gage spoke first to Ryan, “So, what got you coming here?”  Ryan kept eye contact with Gage and said, “Ashley, I was told where she hangs out.”  Luke stood an inch taller than Ryan, gritted his teeth and muttered, “She’s busy tonight with family.”  

Mary Anne grabbed an empty glass from the table and traded Ashley for her beer.  Tilting her head towards Ryan, Ashley got the hint, pushed by the bodyguards and asked Ryan for a beer. Taking her glass, he brushed his fingers on her hand.  

She kept close to him hoping the interrogation would end.  Giving Darren a look with pleading eyes, he gave in assuming she found a dance partner for the night needing a distraction from Steve.   Darren stepped forward uncrossing his arms.   

To Ashley's surprise, he held out his hand and Ryan shook it.  A short silence floated in the air until Luke bragged about the concert.  To her relief, others joined in with positive and mostly friendly comments about the night causing Ashley to let out a long sigh.  Kyle said, "Hey man, that was a good performance Ryan."  Luke added, "Yeah, if I could sing like that, I'd have girls in my bed every night."   Trish asked, "Hey, did you see Walter dancing with Cami?  He almost dropped her on her head!"  Jim added, "He should have had his hands on Nancy and not some side chic."  Gage said, "Can't believe Terri is still trying to pursue a singing career, she sounded real bad."  

Finishing his beer and wanting Ashley in his arms, Ryan asked her to dance.  As he led her to the dance floor, Mary Anne yelled, “No regrets!”  Enjoying the music, he spun Ashley around like they were two experienced dance partners.  His gentle hands kept her close while his lips longed to kiss her.

Returning to their group, a tray of shots on one of the tables caught Ashley's attention.  Looking at Gage, the party animal of the group, she mouthed, “Thank you,” knowing he attempted to lighten the mood.  Gage winked at Ashley then asked Ryan if he wanted a shot.  Before he could grab it, she leaned in and informed him, "First to take the chaser has to ride the bull."  

He laughed and took the shot in one tilt of his head.  She followed suit and puckered her lips, “Oh, moon shine, nice call.”  Everyone took their shots and waited for the night’s first victim.   Ryan leaned in placing a hand on her waist and whispered, “You’re not afraid of a bull are you?”  

Ashley smirked then responded, “The guys look tough, but they are always the first to drink.”  She leaned in getting close, gently grabbed his beer from his hand and placed it on the table.  Feeling aroused from her closeness, he adjusted his pants then wrapped an arm around her waist.  Wanting to remain close, she leaned in and whispered, “No need to drink out of habit and be the bull’s victim.”

Keeping an eye on his baby sister, Darren noticed Ryan kept his arm wrapped around her waist and held her close but never crossed the line or made her feel uncomfortable. Trying to be sly, Jim took a drink of his beer, but got caught followed by everyone grabbing their beers to rinse the petro taste out of their mouths.  

The group watched Jim do the walk of shame and attempt to ride the mechanical bull.  Thrown off before the eight seconds, he rushed to a garbage can and hurled up his dinner.  Ashley leaned back and whispered to Ryan, “The bull always wins.” 

Her soft voice on his neck caused him to adjust his pants again.  He was enjoying his time with her and couldn't believe how easily she turned him on.

Their night continued with multiple shots and victims paying the price.  Ashley stayed close helping Ryan avoid punishment.  This was the first time she felt comfortable with someone other than Steve.  Alcohol can give confidence to the most timid souls.   She leaned into Ryan's chest and his arms wrapped around her keeping her close.  He whispered something causing her to look up.  Before he could lean down and kiss her, they were shoved to the floor.  Kyle caught them before they hit the sticky floor.  Steve barked, “Get your hands off my girl.”