Chapter 4
four
EWAN
“When I’d said yes to being your date, even your fake date, I probably should have asked where this wedding was being held,” Livvy said dryly. She looked past me and over the vast lands of Wyoming, and I inhaled a deep breath over the place I’d always called home.
Clover Lake was a small town in northern Wyoming complete with creeks, large swaths of land, nosy neighbors, that small town feel, and of course, the large lake that gave the town its name. My family had been part of it for generations and we knew nearly every soul that resided in our town. We also employed quite a large number of them. My brothers, sister, and I had rode wild over the town and Clover Lake had stories to tell.
But today wasn’t about that.
Though I held back a wince at her words, mostly because I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say. It wasn’t that I’d intentionally mislead Livvy. But I’d also needed her to say yes. I didn’t know what was wrong with me other than I’d needed her by my side.
Since that feeling had never run through me before in my life, it was a little difficult to get used to.
Yet as we walked through Jackson’s family ranch, I couldn’t help but be relieved and…oddly excited she was here. And excited wasn’t usually a word used to describe me. At all.
Of all my family, I was the quiet one. Not that I wanted to hide, more like I didn’t have much to say in a family that had everything to say. With four brothers and a baby sister, my family nearly rivaled Livvy’s. Although I wasn’t sure anyone could rival the Montgomerys.
“I thought I’d mentioned it,” I finally answered, realizing that I’d been quiet for far too long. I was already awkward as hell with this far-fetched idea of bringing a practical stranger to my best friend’s wedding. But perhaps I did need the protection of a date to Jackson’s nuptials. And wasn’t that a hard pill to swallow.
“No, you hadn’t,” Livvy said with a laugh. “Though I supposed I should have guessed since neither of you are from Colorado. I was just confused since so many of the pre-wedding activities took place in Denver or Colorado Springs.” She paused. “And there sure seemed to be a lot of them.” I held back a grin at the laughter in her gaze.
There was just something about Livvy Montgomery that made me lose my thoughts and just want to look into those deep blue eyes of hers. The only other two times I’d seen her, she’d either been scared out of her mind or apprehensive. And yet both times I’d wanted more.
And now there was a chance for more. All because she’d come with me to Wyoming for a wedding, leaving her daughter with her parents.
If that wasn’t a crazy thing to do, I wasn’t sure what was. Perhaps both of us hadn’t been thinking clearly. But she was with me and there was no going back at this point. The whole thing was a completely ridiculous scenario I was sure wasn’t going to work, and yet I still didn’t mind. The excuse had been worth it.
“I didn’t realize how many events are part of a wedding. Hell, this is the first wedding I’ve ever been in. Maybe it’s the norm.”
Livvy’s eyes danced. “I don’t think it’s the norm. Then again, I’ve never been a bridesmaid.”
My eyebrows lifted. “I find that hard to believe. How many friends and cousins do you have?”
“Not all of them are married yet, and most of my family have gone small when it came to their nuptials. Meaning only one or two people standing up for them.”
“There’s no hope you’ll be able to help us figure out what we’re supposed to be doing.”
“Completely hopeless.”
We were leaning against each other, and I wasn’t even sure either one of us had noticed until that moment. I took a step back, clearing my throat. It wouldn’t be good to make a move on her when she was just doing me a favor.
Finaly, her shoulders relaxed, and she spoke. “You said this is your first time in a wedding. So your siblings aren’t married yet?”
“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “All four of my older brothers and my younger sister aren’t anywhere close to that.” Much to my parents’ chagrin.
“You are just like some sets of my cousins. So many siblings. I don’t know how your parents did it.”
“Frankly, neither do I. Not to mention Jackson was an only child, and he was over at my place more often than not. So it was like another brother.”
Livvy’s smile softened. “That’s nice. He had you.”
I shrugged. “We’ve always had each other’s backs. Hence why I said yes to this wedding and everything that came with it. Jackson and Kandi love each other and get along to the point they just fit. So I don’t mind.” Even when I was bored or uncomfortable. Then again, the events allowed me to meet Livvy. So maybe it wasn’t all bad.
“The way they seem to be with each other makes me think that this whole marriage thing will be worth it to them.”
There was something in her tone, it made me once again want to ask about Amelia’s father. I didn’t, but it was damn hard to hold back the question.
“Ewan,” a soft voice said from behind me, and I stiffened. Livvy slid her hand into mine, mingling our fingers together. She gave my hand a squeeze and met my gaze. And just like that, my shoulders relaxed marginally, and I turned with Livvy on my arm.
“Trish. You ready for the wedding?”
“Tonight’s the rehearsal dinner. That’s what getting ready for the wedding means.” Her eyes narrowed on Livvy. “This is your date? Her ?”
I stared, wondering where the hell her attitude came from. She wasn’t usually like this, albeit she had wanted more from me. Hell, none of the bridesmaids were usually like this. I liked Kandi. She was great for Jackson, and the two were thick as thieves. She truly loved him, and everyone could tell. I had thought her friends were of the same ilk. But with the way that Trish, Holland, Sarah, and Kendra were acting, maybe I was wrong.
“Her name is Livvy. And yes, she’s my date. I got a plus one after all. Perks of being the best man.” I gave Trish a pointed look, staring down at her. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“I thought you said you had a date before meeting her. So what, you dumped the other one because you found something better? That doesn’t seem very nice.”
I shook my head, wondering what was going on in that hateful mind of hers. I hadn’t needed a date. I could’ve gone to this whole damn thing alone without having to deal with anybody’s judgment. I did not care. But for some reason, the moment I had seen Livvy, something had clicked. I wanted her here. I used a damn stupid excuse, but now she was by my side. And even though I saw and felt the hesitation, I knew she liked being here too. I didn’t mind calling this a fake date, but I really didn’t want to be playing pretend.
“Trish, why are you so intent on figuring out my dating life? Don’t you have a thousand things to do as the maid of honor? And lose the attitude. I’m done.”
“I just don’t think Jackson’s friend should be lying.”
“And maybe Kandi’s friends should mind their own business,” Livvy put in.
I held back a grunt, my hands fisting at my sides.
“This doesn’t concern you,” Trish snapped.
“Considering you’re talking about me as if I’m not here, it does. And I’m not sure what your problem is, but it’s not me. And it’s clearly not Ewan. So while you do one of the thousand things I am sure you should be doing, why don’t you stop worrying about things out of your control.”
Trish raised her chin. “I know you’re just with him for his money. But don’t worry, the McBrides are never going to settle down. And if they do, it’s going to be with someone from home . Not some city girl who uses her daughter to lure men. I bet you did the same thing to her daddy.”
I moved forward then, putting myself between Livvy and Trish so that Livvy didn’t end up in jail for murdering a woman.
“You are going to want to take a step back. And never, ever talk about that little girl again. You do? And you’ll have to do deal with me. I don’t know what kind of trip you’re on, but it has nothing to do with me, Livvy, or the McBrides. I didn’t want to date you. My brothers don’t want to date you. We tried to be nice about it. Subtle even. But if you’re going to continually insult my friends, and their fucking children , we’re going to have a problem.”
Trish took a step back, her eyes wide. “How could you speak to me like that?”
“You’re lucky that he stepped in front of me, or that pretty face of yours wouldn’t be so pretty when I was done with it,” Livvy growled.
Was it weird that I got hard just hearing her speak like that? There was just something so fierce about her that nearly sent me over the edge, and I told myself I needed to stay focused.
“Are you going to let her insult me like that?”
“The only reason I’m not letting her at you is I don’t want to have to deal with the sheriff. Remember, Trish. All this land that you want? It means there’s also a lot of places to hide the body.”
“How dare you threaten me.”
“How dare you insult me and my child so maybe you can get a crumb of the money you think that Ewan has,” Livvy said so calmly that I was truly afraid she was going to go through me to kill this woman.
I held up my hand as Trish went to speak and shook my head. “Go. Go now or I’m going to go talk to Kandi, and we’ll see exactly how much of your lying and nastiness is about to catch up to you.”
Her face paled and she scrambled back. “You’re going to come crawling back.”
“I was never there in the first place.”
She hopped away, and I was grateful we hadn’t had an audience. When I turned to look at Livvy, I knew I’d need to atone for Trish’s bullshit. The woman in front of me hadn’t deserved any of her ire, and it was my fault she’d been forced to.
“I’m so damn sorry. I should not have brought you up here.”
Livvy just looked at me before she burst out laughing.
“What?” I asked, utterly confused. “Why are you laughing?”
“It’s like she’s in high school. Or at least high school in movies from the eighties. Trish tried to emulate a cheerleader without any personality. What did she think she was going to do, use her wiles to get you into bed and force you to marry her when you’re caught? What year does she think it is?”
I pressed my lips together. “Those so-called wiles would have never worked. And no matter how many shotguns her daddy has, there wouldn’t be a wedding.”
“Thank God. I thought you were smart. I would’ve hated to be wrong about that.”
I reached forward and pushed her hair back behind her ear. “I’m sorry, you know. For what she said about your daughter. Her father. She has no right to any of that information, and no right to degrade you like that.”
Livvy reached up and gripped my hand, leaning into my palm as I cupped her cheek. “It’s funny how some people look at single moms so differently than they do single dads.”
I frowned as she lowered my hand but didn’t let go.
“My cousin was a single father for the first five years of Nora’s life, when his girlfriend died in childbirth.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“So am I. She was an amazing girl and we miss her to this day. And maybe it’s the circumstances, but in the end, it was people looking at a single father and not judging. They were there to help, to hit on him, to do everything that they could to prove that my cousin being a dad like any good dad was some monumental feat. And yet when people figure out that Amelia doesn’t have a father, I’m immediately labeled a whore.”
Rage slammed into me. “You’re not, and if they call you that in front of me, I’m going to be the one in jail.”
Her lips twitched. “My family would say the same. I thought I was in love, and I wasn’t. I was just out of college, thinking I had a steady and beautiful relationship. And the moment that pregnancy test came up positive, everything changed. Brick was no longer the caring boyfriend who talked about the future and all his dreams with his family’s estate. Never my dreams, mind you. That should have been the first of many clues. When we found out I was pregnant, he was suddenly the man who called me that whore, claimed the baby couldn’t be his, and left. He cut ties with his family on the surface, cut ties with me in every way possible, and never looked back. I still don’t know where he is. Amelia has never met him, and I hope to hell never will. But sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat because I think he will come back. And he will use his family money to try to take my daughter from me.”
“Livvy. What a fucking asshole.” I paused, shaking my head. “I’m trying to think of something more eloquent here, than I really want to find that man and kill him. Which probably isn’t the greatest thing to say.”
“You wouldn’t be the only one. And yes, he is an asshole. And throughout the entire pregnancy, and the four years I’ve had my daughter, people judge me. They realize that my last name never changed, so therefore I couldn’t have been married. Not that I would’ve had to change my name, but social norms in their eyes decree I should have. They ask about her father, or pointedly ignore the idea while whispering behind my back. And they judge me. I’m just another single mom out there who couldn’t keep a man. While my cousin was a brave soldier who found his way into being a gentle father. The hypocrisy is ridiculous. And yet, I never blamed Sebastian. He went through hell and has raised a beautiful little girl. And my little girl is amazing. I would walk through hell for her. And sometimes I feel like I have. So no, Trish’s words didn’t really bother me. Other than her talking about my daughter at all. She can lob any accusation or threat my way and I do not care. Because I have lived through it. And I’m not using my daughter’s near death experience to get a man.”
I reached forward and pinched her chin, bringing her toward me. Her eyes widened suddenly, and I narrowed my gaze. “I wanted you here. I’m the one who asked you to be here. If there was a way I could go back and kick Brick’s ass—” I paused. “What the hell kind of name is Brick?”
Her lips widened into a smile. “Again, I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“But back on topic. I used the excuse of wanting to keep Trish and the others at bay to get you here. The moment I saw you at that park I wanted to get to know you. And it’s ridiculous that something clicked inside me. I want to know everything about you, and I wanted more time to do so. And I want to protect you from all those people who would dare shame or judge you. And it scares me I feel it so hard already. And I’m just now getting to know you.”
Livvy swallowed hard and stared up at me. “It worries me that I want the same”
And I leaned down, doing what I probably shouldn’t, and brushed my lips against hers. She groaned slightly, and I parted her lips with my tongue, deepening the kiss ever so slightly.
I pulled back before anything else could happen, before it was too much, and let out a deep breath.
“There’s nothing fake about that.”
“No, there really wasn’t.” She swallowed hard again.
“Thank you for trusting me with that story. And I’m a selfish dick who wants to know more. To know everything. I want to get to know you.”
“This is a completely ridiculous situation, but I’m really glad I said yes.” She paused and looked up at me. “I don’t date, Ewan.”
My heart stopped at that, and I stared at her. “Ever?”
“Ever. At first it was because I was heartbroken. And then I had no time to date. Frankly I still don’t. Between my job, Amelia, and helping out my family, it’s hard for me to carve out time. I did so for this, and I am surprised at myself every single time I think about it. But I don’t date because I’m so afraid that one day it’s going to be Brick again. I’m going to realize I’m terrible at this.”
“One bad decision, one terrible man, doesn’t make you bad at this.”
“Tell that to my mind at two a.m. when I can’t sleep.”
I slid my fingers over her shoulder, tilting my head. “So you’re saying you want me to be there at two a.m. when you can’t sleep?”
Livvy pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I don’t know if that was a good line, or ridiculous one.”
“I did ask you to be to be my fake date to a wedding. We are already past the ridiculous.”
“Ewan!”
I dropped my hand but didn’t move away from Livvy as I looked over my shoulder at Jackson’s shout. “Hey. What’s up?” I asked, hoping that neither one of them could notice my raging hard on pressing against my jeans.
“Trish is acting weird, and I wanted to make sure everything is okay.” Jackson slowed down, his smile widening when he caught sight of Livvy. “Hey, I’m glad you’re here. Did you bring Amelia?” he asked, looking around as if a little girl was hiding behind the bushes.
“No, she’s with her grandparents. Although Ewan did invite her,” she teased.
I shrugged. “I know I only got a plus one, though I figured the kid would get a kick out of all of these flowers and the horses.”
“Exactly. We loved horses when we were kids.”
“So did I,” Livvy put in, surprisingly. “I used to ride when I was younger, and in fact my mom and I were just talking about me starting up again.”
Jackson’s eyes widened. “Well, you should know that Ewan is one of the best teachers out there. Our ranch handles more horses than his does since we breed them, and they mostly focus on cattle, but he’s great with horses.”
Livvy looked up at me then, curiosity in her gaze. “Really?”
I could stare at those eyes forever. And that meant I needed to calm the fuck down. “Really. Maybe if we have time, I’ll take you for a ride.”
She raised a single brow, and I rolled my eyes as Jackson burst out laughing.
“Used to be smoother than that, brother,” Jackson said with a laugh.
“Shut up. Both of you. And the kid isn’t here because she has a birthday party to go to the day that Livvy leaves.” A day I oddly did not want to focus on.
“And frankly, it would’ve been a little confusing to bring her here, on top of the reason why I’m Ewan’s date,” Livvy added before she paused. “Considering they’re already asking.”
Jackson shrugged. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m just sad that Lexington and Crew couldn’t make it.”
“I don’t know if you want that many Montgomerys and honorary Montgomerys here,” Livvy said dryly, and I realized I was still holding her hand, my thumb sliding along the top of it. Her skin was so soft. And Jackson hadn’t missed the gesture.
“Anyway, I’m sorry Trish was acting up. I don’t know what’s going on with her. Hell, I don’t know what’s going on with any of the wedding party. Other than the love of my life I’m about to get married to, you are the only sane one here,” Jackson said, and I saw the worry in his gaze.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have no idea. People are just acting weird and out of sorts. I thought Kandi and I were supposed to be the ones stressed out. Instead, every time I see her we are both relaxed and ready to start the next phase of our life. Thank you for being the sane ones along with us,” Jackson said pointedly.
I didn’t like the sound of that and knew we’d have to take care of it. Kandi and Jackson deserved the world and I’d find a way to give it to them.
Jackson winced. “Anyway, your room should be ready now, and I texted you the code to get in. We’ll see you at the dinner?” he asked, and without waiting for us to answer, he jumped off to do something else. That’s when Livvy stiffened at my side.
I cursed under my breath. I had picked up Livvy from the airport and we had come immediately to the ranch. The rehearsal dinner was tonight, the wedding tomorrow, and then she would fly out early the next morning. Meaning we had two nights at the immense guest house of the ranch. And since it was such a large structure, it acted as more of an inn and bed-and-breakfast.
And that meant there weren’t that many rooms up for grabs.
“I completely forgot that it’s only one room.” I paused. “And one bed because I’m way too big for a double or queen.”
I knew I was going to have to sleep on the couch tonight. Because if I was in bed with her? I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off her. Hell, I still couldn’t keep my hands off her.
“I guess I didn’t think that far head,” Livvy said with a shake of her head. “We will figure it out. We are adults.”
I nodded tightly, realizing that it was once again probably a lie.
“Let’s go get your things out of the truck, and then I’ll show you the room. Pretty sure there’s a couch in there.”
“Okay, I’ll be comfortable on the couch.”
I snorted. “I’m not about to put you on the couch.”
“You just said that you were too big for a queen bed.” Her gaze raked over me, and she was damn lucky I had a slight restraint on my control.
“I’ll be fine.”
Except by the time we made it into the room, I realized there would be no figuring it out. Because there really was only room for one giant king bed. And no couch with barely any floor.
“Well hell,” I said roughly as the door snapped closed behind us.
“We can make this work. It’s not like we’re going to be here that often anyway. We have to head right back out to the rehearsal. And that will run late. So don’t worry. We’ll make sure we stay on our sides of the bed.” I looked at her then, and she blushed. “I’m really speaking quite quickly, aren’t I?”
“If I’m in bed with you, Livvy Montgomery, I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you.”
I watched as her throat worked hard as she swallowed. “Who said I really wanted your hands off me?” she breathed, and then my hands were definitely on her.
I pinned her to the door, using one hand to lock her arms above her, as my other went straight to her thigh. She had on a tiny little dress that looked sweet and demure, but all I had been thinking about since I had seen her was rocking it up her hips just to see what she wore underneath.
“I don’t have that much restraint, Montgomery.”
“We both know I came here not to be your fake date.”
And then my mouth was on hers, and my hand was sliding up and around to grip her ass. She arched against me, and I molded her flesh beneath me. She tasted sweet, and it was all I could do not to slide those panties to the side, shove my pants down, and slide in deep.
“Are you wet for me, Livvy? If I touch you right now, would you be wet?
“Why is it that your voice does that to me?”
“Let’s check,” I whispered, my voice barely above a growl. And I moved my hand forward, sliding her panties to the side.
“You are fucking soaked. You saying that my voice did this to you? That pretty pussy of yours is wet and ready for me?”
“I didn’t realize that a cowboy talking dirty to me would nearly send me over the edge.”
My lips crawled into a smile against her neck.
“You’re going to end up with beard burn all over your skin. The world will know it’s from me. Will you be okay with my claim on this delicate skin of yours?” I asked, my fingers sliding between her folds. She drenched my palm, her hips rocking against me.
“Please, Ewan.”
“Please what?”
“Mark me. I don’t care. Just stop teasing me.”
I bit gently down on her flesh then, she moaned into me. Then I slid my thumb over her clit she let out a gasp.
“That’s it. You’re so responsive. Do you think you can come on my hand, Montgomery?”
“I don’t know. Can we try?”
“Livvy.” I crushed my mouth to hers as I slid two fingers deep. She let out a shocked gasp as I slid the third finger in, rotating back and forth.
“Do you hear that sound? You’re so wet every time I slide deep inside you, we can hear it. Imagine that’s my cock. But I’m bigger than this, so I would stretch you. You okay with that, Livvy? With my cock stretching that tight cunt of yours?”
As I pressed against her clit again, she broke, her knees going weak as she came against me. Warm and hot against my flesh, I kissed her again, keeping her hands pinned above her head.
I had never seen such a beautiful sight as Livvy Montgomery losing control in my arms.
My dick was hard as steel, and I nearly came just looking at her. I knew I would have zipper marks later. And I didn’t care.
“I need to touch you,” she whispered, and I nodded, taking a step back. Then my phone buzzed.
I cursed as I read the screen. “Fuck. It’s an emergency. I have to go.”
Livvy stood there, her body flushed, her eyes a little glassy. Before she could answer I slid my fingers into my mouth, tasting her sweetness. Her eyes widened as I reached forward to run those fingers along her lower lip.
“I have to go. But we will finish that. Finish this.”
She nodded. “Okay.” She let out another breath, her eyes dazed.
So I kissed her again, and made sure she had what she needed, before going to deal with whatever the hell I had to for this wedding.
Every part of me wanted to be back in that room. Back with Livvy. Deep inside her.
And I knew that even if I had to move mountains, I would find a way to make this work.
Because I did not believe in love at first sight. And yet I had a feeling I was falling right into it anyway.