CHAPTER FOURTEEN
W ade’s blood pressure was still dangerously high as he held open his front door and gestured for Riley to enter.
He was expecting her parents to be difficult, but he hadn’t expected his woman to shrink into herself in their presence.
That pissed him off. Being with family is supposed to be safe.
She should be free to be herself. And be accepted.
Instead, he’d witnessed judgement, blatant hostility and two people desperate for control over their adult daughter’s decisions. Thank God she’d moved to Woodvalley when she did, he couldn’t imagine her living her life to its fullest while in that house.
He watched as Riley furiously rubbed her wrist, which was enough to get him moving. In two big strides, he was in front of her, untangling her hand and bringing it to his lips.
“Petal,” he rumbled. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
Despite a confident exit from her parent’s house, Riley had grown quiet on their drive back home. She’d also apologised to him several times. Clearly, she was horrified by her parent’s behaviour.
“How can you say that?” She slumped, looking just as dejected as she sounded. “I should have stayed and spoken to them. Left on better terms. I feel so bad.”
Which is probably exactly what they wanted. More guilt to try and control her with. He kept that thought to himself as he gently cupped her cheek.
“Why did you move here, darlin’?”
Riley blinked, momentarily thrown by the change of subject.
“Uh, I-I wanted a change, I guess. Something just for me.”
“That’s what I thought. It’s time to put yourself first. And that’s exactly what you did today.”
“And you,” she whispered.
His thumb which had been lazily stroking her silky skin, stilled. “What do you mean?”
Big brown eyes stared up at him. “I didn’t like them speaking to you like that. You don’t deserve that. You were nothing but polite to them.” Her voice was still quiet, as if she were sharing a secret.
“I don’t want that beautiful head of yours to worry about me, petal. You’re the important one. Remember that.” His thumb started moving again, this time swiping her plump bottom lip.
He watched as her eyes glazed. The familiar look of want already heating his blood. Need churning in his gut. It had been a whole goddamn week since he’d tasted her soft, supple skin.
Stupid, damn barn conversion.
“Fair warning.” His tone was about as rough as his heartbeat. “One more look like that, baby, and in five seconds, I’m gonna have you pinned to the nearest surface, screaming my name.”
The flash of desire in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. That and the swipe of her tongue across his thumb.
Fuck me.
This woman had already crawled so deep under his skin, he couldn’t ever imagine being able to resist her. Which was scary as hell.
Wade inched closer, his free hand wrapping around her waist while his other hand disappeared into long black hair. With one tug, her body was plastered to his and the taste of oranges hit his tongue even before his mouth came crashing down onto hers.
Urging her back, he took the kiss deeper, his fingers already itching to make the moans he was swallowing louder. Wilder.
By the time they hit the wall, he couldn’t wait any longer. Breaking away, he spun her around, his mouth going to her ear as he tugged her hips against him.
“Hands against the wall.” Even he noticed the raw, heated need in his voice. “Good girl.”
She shivered at his words, and continued to shake as he traced the shell of her ear with his tongue.
“I’ve missed you.” His mouth slowly glided down her neck. “Want me to show you how much?” His hips bucked as a sexy mewl left her lips.
Enough fucking around.
His hand went to the zipper on the back of her dress. He was ready to make good on his promise.
***
J ust like every night last week, Wade was back at the barn tonight.
Ever since they’d found out the mild fall weather was set to turn stormy earlier than usual this year, it had been all hands on deck.
While he and his brothers may not be builders, there was plenty to do on site to help quicken up the work being done.
Tonight, his brother Zach had roped in a few of his friends from the fire station to chip in too.
“I met your woman the other week.” Benny grinned as he held the roll of insulation up against the wall.
“Come again?” Wade paused mid-staple.
“I met Riley,” Benny repeated, giving him a look that suggested Wade was a dumb fuck. “Your woman. She’s hot.”
Attempting to tamper down his jealousy, his focus went back to the staple gun in his hand as he continued on with their task. Putting a bit more force behind each staple.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t comment on my woman’s appearance. Unless you’re looking to get my fist in your face.”
Benny threw his head back and laughed. Loudly. And when he caught Wade’s scowl, his laugh only got more obnoxious.
“What’s so funny?” Luke sauntered up to them both. Passing Benny more rolls of insulation he’d cut to size.
“Honestly, I don’t know what’s funnier,” Benny said through the last of his chuckles. “The way you guys start threatening violence every time you fall for a woman. Or how quickly you all get pussy whipped.”
Wade was unimpressed with the man’s reply. Seeing as it was also a dig at Luke, he didn’t look all that pleased with his friend either. Hence the death stare.
Luke’s expression went from deathly glare to mischievous grin a minute later as he turned to Wade. “You know anything about Benny’s high school sweetheart? Think her name was Bethany something.”
“Luke,” Benny warned. His demeanour no longer jovial, his jaw tightly clenched.
Was it wrong that Wade was enjoying this? Probably. And he only enjoyed it more as he too smiled and confirmed he knew exactly who Luke was talking about. “Bethany Mayer.”
“You two better shut the fuck up now,” Benny cautioned. Sounding more like a sulky schoolboy than anything remotely menacing.
Luke let out a low whistle. “Don’t tell me you’re about to threaten violence, Benny boy?” he teased, unable to fully contain a snigger.
Matt was next to join the group. “What’s going on?”
Wade threw his hands up and excused himself, not about to bring his brother in on the man’s misery. As much as he loved watching Benny eat his words, he knew a broken heart when he saw one.
“Benny here is—” Luke started but Wade interrupted, taking pity on the poor man.
“He thinks Riley’s hot.” Wade didn’t miss the gratitude in Benny’s eyes when they swung to him.
“And you’re still breathing?” Matt chuckled after smacking Benny on the back. He knew his older brother all too well it would seem.
“Yeah, well, we need this insulation fitted, don’t we? Otherwise, all bets would be off.” Wade grunted before picking up the next roll of lining.
Luke scoffed but chose not to call them out. Instead, he decided Wade was a better target. “I hear you met the parents this weekend.” He grinned. “You’ll be moving her into your house next.”
“Says the man who moved Bella into his home after a week,” Wade returned; a smug smile plastered all over his face.
A resounding “oooh” from Benny and Matt only made his grin stretch further, while Luke narrowed his eyes. “Bella moved in after two months, dude, and you know it.”
“Officially, sure.” Wade shrugged. “But I also happen to know you asked her to move her stuff from our guest cabin to your house a week in.”
Bella was going to kill him. But it was worth it as he watched steam come out of Luke’s ears. All the while Benny was making whipping noises and Matt was doubled over laughing.
“What’s with all you guys,” Matt spluttered. “You’re all way too desperate to be tied down if you ask me!”
Wade wondered if his brother realized what a crazy thing that was to say. Especially as he’d been with his girlfriend longer than any man in the room had been with their women.
“Speaking of which.” Zach joined them. “When are you gonna make an honest woman out of Melody?”
Matt not so subtly rolled his eyes. “Not all of us are destined for marriage.”
“Oh yeah, Melody know that?” Wade chipped in.
What the hell was his brother playing at? Melody was a good woman. He shouldn’t be leading her on.
“She’s not expecting a ring anytime soon if that’s what you’re asking,” Matt replied.
It was met with crossed arms from Zach, a “dude” from Benny, and a headshake from Luke.
“You’ve been together five years.” Luke pinned Matt with a look that clearly stated, ‘you’re a dumbass.’
The man wasn’t wrong.
“And?”
“ And ?” Luke mocked, “if you don’t see a future with the girl, what the hell are you doing together?”
It was a good fucking question. One that Wade was thankful he didn’t have to ask.
“You a relationship expert now, man? After all of, what, four months?”
Zach and Wade’s lips twitched, but Benny was the only one laughing as he backhanded Luke’s stomach and cried, “Ooo, burn!”
It was true that Luke probably wasn’t the best person to be dishing out relationship advice, seeing as he had never actually had one until Bella came along.
And you’re much better?
He wasn’t. Which is why he was glad someone else had called Matt out on his bullshit.
Not one to back down, Luke’s eyes twinkled as he calmly took a step forward.
“I’m not claiming to be an expert by any means.
Having said that though, before Bella, I never made any promises to anyone.
I was honest with any woman who came my way.
Then, when I met the right woman, that’s when I made a commitment. ”
Benny was animated again, this time low whistling between sniggers.
“What’s with the mother’s meeting? We’ve got shit to do.” Jonah was next to join the group, followed shortly by Hunter, another one of Zach’s friends.
Benny filled the newcomers in. In more detail than necessary. And much to Matt’s dismay if the palm in his face was anything to go by.