CHAPTER ONE #2
“Uh, motels. I used to clean motel rooms.” Riley’s grip on her orange juice glass tightened. It was easier to talk to Bella than Wade, but that didn’t mean she still wasn’t scoping out the nearest exit.
“Awesome. So, you’ve always been a domestic goddess, huh?
Maybe you can give me a few pointers. Mr. OCD over there—” she nodded her head in the direction of her boyfriend, Luke, who was currently at the bar with Wade, fetching them drinks, “is a bit of a neat-freak. But ever since I’ve moved in, the house has gone from chic to hurricane damaged hoarder home real fast.” Bella winked.
Why was this woman being so nice to her? Riley was giving her nothing. Not even coherent sentences. Yet, here she was, joking with her like they went way back.
“Uh, well, if you ever need a cleaner, I’m off on Mondays and Wednesdays.”
Bella’s cheerful smile disappeared in an instant, making Riley question herself.
Did I say something wrong?
This was why it was better that she didn’t speak to people. She was always saying something wrong. Missing social cues. And was just really damn horrible at small talk, no matter how many books with embarrassing titles she read.
“You know I’m not trying to book your services, right?” Bella’s serious silver eyes locked with hers. “Not that I don’t think you’re great at what you do, I’m sure you are, but I was sort of hoping we could be friends.”
Friends. So she did want friendship. She started to panic again at the confirmation. Riley had never really had any friends. She’d tried a few times. But most people didn’t have the patience to stick around for very long.
Riley gave the woman a small nod, trying her best not to look petrified as she answered. “Okay. Yes. I’d like that.”
Back was that smile. Beaming and everything. “Cool. Me, too. So, Monday’s and Wednesday’s, huh? Let’s do lunch on Monday, where’s your phone?”
This time Riley didn’t answer, instead, she pulled out her phone. And in no time at all Bella took it from her hands.
“I’m adding my number and saving yours. If I’m running late, I’ll be able to call you and vice versa. How does one sound at Molly’s diner?”
Riley had no idea who Molly was or where her diner was, but she nodded anyway.
Like Wade, Bella seemed perfectly comfortable with Riley’s lack of actual words and continued to speak. “Amazing. I can’t wait to introduce you to the other women, too. They’re gonna love you.”
Other women? What?
Before she had a chance to ask, Wade and Luke were back.
The men came bearing drinks. But Riley had no use for yet another orange juice. There was enough acid making its way up her throat as it was, it didn’t need any more encouraging.
The drinks in Luke’s hands went straight to the tall table they were all congregated around. He was far more interested in wrapping his arms around Bella and pulling her into him than his beverage. Riley watched on, transfixed, as he whispered sweet nothings in her ear. Causing Bella to giggle.
The couple’s easy intimacy was leaving a mark.
Making Riley feel some kind of way. It wasn’t jealousy so much, well, at least she didn’t think it was.
No. It was something like longing. She wanted that.
Wanted it so bad, but she knew deep down she’d never have it.
And that sucked. Maybe she would take a swig of that orange juice after all.
Living life on the edge as always, Riley.
“We’re going to go dance,” Bella announced through more giggles before being dragged away by Luke.
Alone again, Riley twisted to face Wade. Her sort of date. He considered her for a moment and made a decision. Next thing she knew, he was placing their drinks on the table, including the almost empty glass he had to pluck from her clutches.
“Wanna dance?” Wade’s hand was in front of her again, signalling a request for hers.
He wanted to dance...with her? Why?
“Don’t worry, I’m not as bad as your face thinks I am.”
Oh, shit.
Now it was her face saying the wrong thing.
Just dance with the man.
Maybe she should listen to her inner voice for once. If they were dancing, they weren’t talking, not that she was killing it with her conversational skills or anything. But it would take a load off, wouldn’t it?
Fuck it.
Her hand slowly outstretched. It was a measly attempt that meant it only made it a few inches from her side, but luckily, Wade took pity on her and met her halfway.
“Come on, petal.” Her hand was now officially wrapped in his, and it was being tugged toward the dance floor.
“It’s time to sweep you off your feet. Or maybe.
..it’s time to prove to you that I don’t have two left feet.
” His head turned then, and she was graced with a dazzling smile.
“I know—it’s time to put our best foot forward. ”
What?
A small smile tilted her lips. He looked mighty pleased with himself as his head whipped back around and his attention went back to where he was leading them.
She had to admit, that despite feeling like she was on the verge of a panic attack for the past two hours, she was actually enjoying the hell out of herself.
Wade was not what she was expecting. Nothing like it.
She just assumed a cowboy so handsome, in charge of such a huge ranch, would be different.
Standoffish maybe. A little cocky. She definitely didn’t imagine he’d give someone like her the time of day.
And she wasn’t expecting someone so calm.
Patient. Comfortable in his own skin. Someone who didn’t need constant conversation— which was damn lucky.
And someone, who when he did speak, managed to constantly surprise her. Because he was kind of an odd duck.
Like me.
Like her. But prettier.
As soon as they came to a standstill, Riley froze. The music was country. The two-stepping kind. Two steps that she definitely did not know.
Wade was way ahead of her though, pulling her into him and twisting until they were facing each other. Keeping hold of her hand, he lifted, until their arms were high and pointed toward the DJ booth. He then clasped her other hand and gently placed it on his shoulder. His very muscular shoulder.
Wow. Okay. That’s super hard. Like, rock hard. That can’t be normal. I bet he gets tension headaches.
Suddenly, they were moving, and her panic-filled eyes met his.
“It’s okay, darlin’. I’ve got you.” Wade dipped his head and nodded to their feet, forcing Riley to look down.
“Step to the left, with just your left foot.” She did as she was told.
“Great, now, bring your right foot over next to it.” Again, she followed orders and brought her feet together.
“That’s it. You’re doing it. Now, just keep repeating that move. ”
Maybe two-stepping wasn’t so hard after all.
Speaking of hard, being this close to Wade Evans in all his muscular glory, wasn’t exactly helping her anxiety. Breathless terror was right around the corner.
Drama queen.
Yes. She was. And yet knowing, didn’t help. Concentrating on her feet did though. So that’s what she did. She avoided bright blue and focused her gaze downward.
It was working really well until a slow song came on and Wade stepped closer. Their joined hands dropping to the side.
“Wrap your hands around my neck, petal.” His voice sounded deeper as piercing eyes held her in place.
She did as he said, immediately.
Should I be worried about how much I like being told what to do?
Oh, God. Maybe she had a kink. Was it possible to be a bit freaky in the bedroom when you hadn’t actually been in a bedroom...with anyone?
Riley would have to ponder that question another time. Right now, her body was being pressed up against Wade’s.
Dear Lord, is the man smuggling bricks in his shirt?
His stare still hadn’t wavered, and despite the very real desire to look away, she had fallen under his spell. Strong hands that rested on her lower back pressed once more until she was plastered against him. Her head tilted back, while his chiselled chin dipped.
“What happened to your glasses?” he rumbled, taking her by surprise. Again.
“Oh, um, I-I thought that...” What did I think? “I-I, uh, I wanted to look nice.”
It was the truth. She was trying. For him.
“Contacts and glasses don’t dictate a woman’s beauty.”
“Oh,” was all she said. Followed by more gulping. She was beginning to wish she wasn’t so close. Or staring into his eyes. The pure intensity radiating off him was enough to make her shake.
“You, Riley,” his voice deepened, “are a beautiful woman.”
She tried to swallow again but it felt like there was something stuck in her throat. Beautiful? He thought she was beautiful. That couldn’t be right. He’s drunk. Yes. That must be it. The man had had too much whiskey.
“With glasses or without,” he continued. “Although, I have to admit, I prefer you with the glasses on. They’re sexy as hell.” A crooked smile tipped his lips.
Beautiful? Sexy? Was she in some sort of alternate universe? Never once had Riley been called beautiful. Cute, once. By a relative. And sexy, well, that was almost laughable. There was nothing remotely sexy about her. She was the ultimate plain Jane.
Drunk, remember?
Right. Although, he didn’t really look that drunk.
“Do you want me to get you some coffee?” she blurted, remembering that was how you sobered a drunk person up in movies.
“What?” Wade chuckled.
The man was laughing at her.
Wrong again, Riley. Idiot.
That was her cue to run. Her head dropped and she started to pull away. But he didn’t let her get that far. His hand grasped hers before she could turn to leave.
“Hey,” he tugged, “what just happened?”
Lie. Say anything. Just get out of there.
“I-I don’t feel well, I want to go home.”
“Okay, darlin’. I’ll walk you.” Concern began to crease his brow as guilt hit her full force in the stomach.
“No. I. No. I don’t want that.” Freeing her hand, she did the only thing she knew how to do. Guilt be damned. She ran.