Rae was slouched on her stool at the bar, gently rocking a glass in her hand. Her back was stiff, still sore from a long day’s work, but the warm glow of the lights and the soft music wrapped around her like a gentle hug, reminding her it was finally time to unwind. She rolled her knuckles under her skin, her fingers moving slowly. The ranch work hadn’t exactly been kind to her.

The bartender watched her with a familiar smirk. He knew her well by now — didn’t even bother asking what she drank anymore. She’d lean on the counter, complain about her poor spine, and he’d let her be. Rae didn’t expect small talk, and he didn’t offer it. They’d found that rare kind of quiet that feels easy, respectful. Fatigue settled over her like a blanket taking its time, and Rae let herself sink into it, enjoying the well-earned rest she’d come for.

Then the bartender chuckled.

“Tourists,” he muttered, glancing toward the mechanical bull at the back of the room.

Rae lifted her head, curiosity sparked. She’d never pass up a little show. Just like that, the tiredness faded. She’d been riding those things since she could read — watching others try was always good fun.

“Bet you your next drink they won’t last two minutes,” the bartender said. Rae laughed — of course she’d take the bet.

Rising lazily from her stool and leaving her glass behind, she stalked towards the group. Cute, she thought, as her eyes landed on one of the brave girls heading toward the bull. The closer she got, the more she liked what she saw, her stride stretching out like a cat approaching a forgotten bowl of milk. Her drink was long gone from her mind by the time she reached the city girls and tipped her hat slightly in their direction. Very cute, she thought, leaning toward the apparent leader of the group.

“I done bet James, back there behind the bar, y’all’d stay on that bull,” she said with a wide grin, her voice thick with amusement. “Mind if I bend the rules a lil’ bit?”

Of course, Rae had manners. She took the woman’s hand gently and pressed a warm, slightly tipsy kiss to it. Her eyes never left her face, not even as she stepped onto the padded mat to help her into the saddle. One leg, then the other — and her eyes missed none of it.

“Gotta keep yer balance, sugar,” she murmured, pressing the girl’s knee softly against the bull’s synthetic flank.

Then Rae climbed up behind her. James groaned loudly, waving his rag in protest. Rae gave him a big, unapologetic smile — she was getting that free drink, and maybe even the girl too. The bull began to hum beneath them, and Rae slid her rough hands around the girl’s waist. Her hips pressed into hers as she leaned in close, smiling at the first jolts of the machine.

“Hold on tight. You wouldn’t think it, but fingers matter almost as much as thighs on this thing, darlin’,” she whispered, her voice dropping low. “But it’s mostly in the hips.”