Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Riley
When I try to fall asleep, a slideshow plays across my eyelids. Hunter’s in the Jacuzzi with a beer in his hand, his head tipped back, lips parted, and he looks like he’s in ecstasy. I felt like I was intruding on a private moment, which made me wonder if he was alone.
Then I heard him say there was plenty of room for both of us, so I joined him.
As I sat down, my eyes wandered over every inch of his chiseled body.
I could never get tired of looking at him.
He’s perfection. Then I noticed the tattoo over his heart—a picture of a young boy, and he’s laughing.
It’s done in black ink, which makes me wonder what color his eyes are.
His hair appears to be wavy, not straight.
The details are incredible; it looks like a photograph permanently embedded in his skin.
The name “Brady” is curved underneath. Who could he be, and why doesn’t he want to talk about him?
When I asked him about it, he immediately shut down.
One minute we were flirting, and the next minute he’s dismissing me.
I’ve run into him three times in one day, and every time I meet a different Hunter.
One is flirty and sexy as hell, then there’s one who is gentle and loving, and the last one is sad and guarded. I’m not liking that last one much.
The last boy who made me promises he didn’t keep was the one I gave my virginity to back when I was sixteen.
I wanted someone to love me so badly that I believed anything he told me.
I was so gullible. He never told me he was moving to Colorado with his parents, and three weeks later he was gone.
It happened almost two years ago, and I promised myself I wouldn’t be that stupid girl again.
But when I felt Hunter’s heart pounding beneath my hand as his lips brushed against mine, I became that foolish girl again.
There’s a connection between Hunter and me; I sense it every time his eyes meet mine, especially when he touches me.
It’s like the air around us is charged, like after a storm.
His lips brushing mine is the last thing I think of before I finally drift off to sleep.
A knock at my bedroom door yanks me out of the best dream I’ve ever had. Just like that, I’ll never know if the girl gets the guy. Damn.
“Come in,” I say, barely above a whisper.
“Morning Riley, we were worried because we hadn’t seen you since last night. Why don’t you get dressed, and Rosie will make you anything you want. I’ll see you downstairs in a little while.”
After he leaves, I throw on some clothes, brush my teeth, and run a brush through my hair. I check my phone and see several missed calls from Ashley. I’ll call her back later when I have more time to talk. Right now, I’m starving.
The smells coming from that kitchen are amazing! Rosie must be cooking something Italian because the aroma of onions and garlic is wafting through the air. As I turn the corner, I see several pots simmering on the stove.
“Good afternoon, Riley,” Rosie calls out from over her shoulder while stirring a pot. “There are last night’s leftovers, unless you would like me to make you something.”
“Leftovers are fine.” Heading to the fridge, I grab some cold fried chicken and pasta salad. After fixing my plate, I sit at the island so I can talk to Rosie.
“So, what are you making that smells so delicious?” I ask.
“I’m making my lasagna and garlic bread. Your dad requested it for dinner tonight,” she says, smiling as she looks up at me.
“Rosie, can I ask you a question?” I hope she won’t think I’m prying.
“Sure, anything you want, Riley.” She turns around and leans against the sink.
“Do you know the boy who’s tattooed on Hunter’s chest?” I can’t believe I’m putting her on the spot like that.
“Why don’t you ask him?” Her brows pinch together.
“I did, and he wouldn’t tell me.” After I finish eating, I put my dishes in the sink.
What’s the big secret, and why won't anyone tell me who Brady is?
* * *
Hunter
I’m getting ready to go to dinner with Riley and her dad.
I’m excited to spend more time with her, but I feel like her dad isn’t really happy about it.
I’ve never done anything to make Scott not trust me, but I get the sense that he wouldn’t choose me as someone for his daughter.
The look he gave me yesterday when he caught us on the beach makes me a bit uneasy.
I met Scott three years ago when I needed a lawyer for some personal shit I was dealing with.
At the time, I was looking for an apartment, so he suggested the one above the garage.
He knows about the guilt I carry from my past, but he never judges me.
We’ve been friends ever since, but I might be about to test that friendship.
I have my eyes on his daughter, and there’s no way I’m backing down.
I’ve never felt this way about a girl—like I want to be with her every minute of every day and night.
As I walk into the kitchen, I see Rosie on her tiptoes trying to reach something on the top shelf. “Let me get that down; I’m a little taller than you are.” I reach up and grab the bowl for her.
“Thank you. I knew there was a reason why we invited you.” She smiles at me, touching my cheek.
“Rosie, I would marry you in a heartbeat, but Paul would kick my ass.” Bending down, I give her a kiss on the cheek.
When I look up, I see Riley standing in the doorway, laughing. “I’m trying to picture Paul kicking your ass,” she says before threading her fingers with mine. “Rosie, how much time do we have before dinner?” she asks.
“Don’t wander too far, it’ll be ready in less than thirty minutes.”
Riley pulls me out by the pool, setting me down in one of the chairs. Now I’m worried because I’m thinking she wants to talk. I’m not ready for this emotional hell right now.
“I wanted to talk to you privately.” She pulls her chair right in front of me, taking my hands in hers; my heart’s pounding so loudly I’m sure she can hear it. “I did something stupid today, and I wanted to tell you. I asked Rosie about your tattoo,” she whispers so softly I can barely hear her.
My body stiffens as I let go of her hands and run my fingers through my hair, trying to compose myself. “What did she say?” I lift her chin with my index finger so she’s looking at me.
“She wouldn’t tell me; she said to ask you.” She says it so softly as one tear slides down her cheek. I use the pad of my thumb to wipe it away.
I knew Rosie wouldn’t betray me; God, I love that woman. “Give me some time to get to know you before I dump all my personal shit on you. Last night I promised I’d tell you, and I will.”
Framing her face, I pull her up to my mouth to kiss her, to taste her.
I suck on her bottom lip before nipping the tender flesh with my teeth, pulling her onto my lap.
She straddles me, clutching my hair with her hands while rocking against me.
Damn, she feels so good I’m about to lose it.
Reality hits me when I realize I can’t treat this sweet girl like one of my bar girls.
“Riley, we have to stop, shit. I don’t want your dad coming out to see me humping his daughter.” When she looks up at me, I see the hunger in her eyes; her lips are swollen, and her cheeks are flushed. Our eyes lock as we stare at each other until we catch our breath.
When we walk into the kitchen, I see Scott look from Riley to me.
He looks pissed. “Hunter, I invited you to have dinner with us tonight so I could introduce you to Riley, but since you two have already met, there’s no need for you to stay.
” He says this so calmly it takes me a second to understand.
Riley’s head snaps up as she glares at him. “Dad, are you joking?” she keeps looking back and forth between him and me.
Scott’s furious. I’ve known him much longer than Riley, and I need to leave now before things spiral out of control.
“It’s all right, Riley. You spend time with your dad, and I’ll see you soon.
” The entire time I say this, I’m staring at Scott; I want him to know this isn’t over.
As I head out the door, I hear her say, “If he can’t stay for dinner, then I’m not eating either.
This is bullshit. You haven’t told me what to do for the last twelve years, and you’re not about to start now.
” With that, she storms out of the room.
As I’m closing the door, I hear Scott say, “Well it’s about time someone takes care of you.” That didn’t go quite the way I expected. Now, what am I going to eat for dinner?