CHAPTER FIFTEEN
R iley actually physically jumped as the laundry room door swung open. And after getting one look at the heat burning in Wade’s eyes, her heart went from a manageable gallop to a fatal thump.
He stalked toward her like a man on a mission, and she could swear he was still moving as his arm swooped around her waist before she was hauled into him.
Within seconds, his lips slammed against hers and she was airborne. Her legs wrapping around Wade’s hips as he deposited her onto the washing machine. Which just so happened to be turned on.
Holy moly.
Between the vibrations and the perfect precision of every tongue swipe, brain cells were being fried and there was a good possibility she’d never see them again. But who cared about that, there were more important things to think about, like would this be considered funny business?
As the washing machine switched to spin, she was grateful that at least a few of her moans were being drowned out. Especially as they turned more desperate. Her hands slid between them and went to his shirt where she began fumbling with buttons.
They should normalize Velcro shirt fastenings.
Finally open, a growl ripped through Wade as her fingers glided over muscled ridges. To her disappointment, she lost his mouth just moments later. He drew back just enough to pin her with a smouldering stare.
“What is it you wanted to talk about, petal?” he asked through ragged breaths.
“What?”
“Your text,” he reminded her. “You said you wanted to talk?” He was searching her eyes now, looking for something.
Right. Her text. That memory must have been burnt off with the other brain cells.
“Oh, yeah, um...” Her breaths were just as shallow as his.
“I don’t want to go a week without seeing you again.
I know you’re busy with the barn...but maybe I could help or you could come to my place when you’re done or we can—” She stopped talking as his expression went from cautious to a blinding smile.
“That’s it? That’s what you wanted to talk about?”
“Yeah.”
A short sharp laugh escaped before he continued. “Do me a favor, darlin’, next time you wanna talk about something like that...maybe say a bit more in your message?”
She didn’t understand. What was wrong with her message? “But I wanted to talk to you in person,” she defended.
His features softened as he took her in. Then, a quick dip and he was laying a sweet, tender kiss on her lips. That was over way too fast.
“I thought you wanted to break up,” he admitted. Leaving her even more confused. “ We need to talk is usually code for I want to break up— in the dating world, baby.”
Oh. Shit. Well, that’s dumb.
Which is what she told him next. “That’s a stupid code. Surely the list of things a couple talk about is never ending...what are you supposed to say when you want to talk to each other?”
Wade chuckled, laying another kiss on her, this time on her forehead. “I agree. Maybe we can come up with our own code. Something just for us.”
She liked that. A lot.
“Can we get back to the funny business now?”
She could watch Wade laugh all damn day.
It wasn’t just the rich, velvety sound that gave her goosebumps, it was the sight of his square jaw that only became more prominent as his head was thrown back.
The stubble that framed that smile. And the deepened shadows making his already perfectly masculine face just that little bit more rugged.
She was still staring when his laughter eventually subsided. So she didn’t miss the switch. Or the darkening of his gaze.
“Goddamn it, Riley. You keep looking at me like that and they’ll be nothing funny about what I’m gonna do to you.”
A shiver of excitement ran down her spine at the ferociousness of his declaration. “What are you going to do to me?” She smiled.
Another rumble from his chest filled the small space, as his hands went to her jeans.
In record time, they were undone and being pushed down her legs.
Her shoes joined her trousers on the floor as Wade was back up in an instant, freeing himself from his own wranglers.
Her gaze darted down, and she swallowed hard.
When she looked back up, Wade didn’t hide the pure lust crackling between them.
“I’m gonna take you hard, Riley.” The rough edge to his voice made the hairs on the back of her neck prick up. “You need me to stop or slow down, you tell me.” She nodded as he hooked his fingers in her panties and dragged them to the side as he positioned himself at her entrance.
Her skin suddenly felt hot and tingly as her chest rose and fell faster with each breath. If she’d have known this was what sex was like, she wouldn’t have waited so long to have it. Although a part of her knew that it wouldn’t be the same with anyone else.
***
“L et’s conversate!” Riley squeaked as her head came off Wade’s chest. “That’s it!”
Wade was grinning as he brushed the hair off her face. “What are you talking about, petal?”
“Our code.” She matched his smile. “That’s what it should be...when we want to talk but not scare the crap out of each other. Let’s conversate . It rhymes and everything.” She was feeling really pleased with herself, even more so when laughter filled the laundry room.
They were cuddled up on the porcelain tiles. Which weren’t exactly comfortable but were essential as Riley wasn’t sure if her legs would work if she attempted to stand. Wade wasn’t kidding when he told her he was going to take her hard. Not that she was complaining.
“It’s perfect,” he agreed once his laughter subsided.
“What you were saying before...about spending more time together this week.” He paused just as her eyes widened in anticipation.
“I want that. I missed you last week, more than I should admit. How do you feel about spending the weekends together, after work of course, and then a few nights a week too?”
She felt excited. Over the freaking moon.
He wanted to spend every weekend with her, plus weeknights.
But as quickly as happiness came, so did the nerves.
Doubt crept in. What if he got bored of her?
What if she ran out of things to say to him?
All those nights together too, she couldn’t keep waking at the crack of dawn and brushing her teeth and fixing her hair. When will I sleep?
“Hey.” Her attention went to him again. “If it’s too much...” he trailed off.
“No,” she was quick to say. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?” Wade lifted his head just enough to lay a soft kiss on her cheek. “You can tell me. I won’t be offended, I promise,” he reassured.
She was new to all of this. She had no idea what she should or shouldn’t share with someone who was her boyfriend.
A part of her wanted to tell him to wait a minute while she called Bella to ask, but the other part, that part wanted to tell him everything.
Surely that was the right thing. The man had just been inside of her, so really, if she was comfortable to be doing that with him, she should be comfortable enough to tell him how she’s feeling.
Before she could change her mind, she bit the bullet.
“I want to spend weekends together and as many weeknights as possible. But I’m scared.
” Wade’s hand lifted; his fingers went into her hair as his thumb gently stroked her cheek.
“My evenings mostly consist of reading or watching the TV, I don’t know how fun I’ll be.
I’m not used to spending that much time with anyone.
What if I’m boring...what if you get sick of me? ”
“Petal,” he uttered, “you have no idea how perfect you are.”
What?
Riley’s head shook. “I’m not,” she vehemently denied. “I wake up before you and I brush my teeth, I do my hair and sometimes I even put make-up on. I don’t usually look like that in the mornings. You’re going to see that. What if you don’t want to have sex with me again after seeing me like that?”
Wade pulled her face down. Resting her forehead against his, his tone turned serious.
“Darlin’, you’re the most goddamn beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
Inside and out. And if you think for one second clean teeth and some mascara would somehow magically change the way I feel about you then I’m doing something seriously wrong. ”
“You’re not doing anything wrong,” she muttered against his lips.
“I am. I want you feeling secure. I want you knowing how fucking sexy you are. How nothing about you is boring. And not only is it not possible to get sick of you, but I also can’t even imagine a moment to pass without me wanting you.”
Wow. What do I even say to that?
Nothing came to her, so she stayed quiet. Breathing in musky leather cologne as her heart raced.
“I don’t want to scare you, Riley, but I meant what I said to your parents...I have no intention of letting you go. You have to know that I’m all in.”
She was scared alright. Scared of her feelings. How strong they already were. Scared of fucking this up. Having no clue what she was doing. But mostly, she was scared of getting hurt. She was acutely aware of how much damage this blue-eyed cowboy could do to her heart.
She nodded into him. “Don’t hurt me,” she whispered.
“Never,” he growled before capturing her lips.
God, she hoped he was telling the truth.
***
O ne month into being Wade Evans’s girlfriend and Riley was more confident than ever. One month ago, standing in Zach and Libby Evans’s backyard for a group barbecue would have brought her out in hives, but here she stood, huddled with women she had fallen in love with.
“I can’t believe you’re going to be Mrs Hulk in less than six weeks!” Cat teased as she clinked hips with Rachel.
“Can you stop calling him the hulk!” Rachel playfully smacked her friend. “He’s not green and his clothes don’t tear off when he’s angry. Well...” she giggled, “not all the time anyway.”
“Talking of the wedding,” Libby interjected, before Cat could make the dirty joke she was dying to make. “Have you asked Riley yet?”
Asked me what?
Rachel beamed as she turned to Riley. “No. I was waiting until after her menu tasting, but seeing as that’s tomorrow, there’s no time like the present.” Seriously, asked me what? “I’d really like it, no, scrap that, I would love it, if you would do me the honor of being one of my bridesmaids.”
Riley’s jaw dropped open. Had she just heard the woman right?
“What?” she uttered. Her brain unsure she heard correctly.
“I know we haven’t known each other that long,” Rachel continued, “but with all the time we’ve been spending together, I feel like we’ve just gotten so close, and now I can’t imagine you not being a part of my wedding. Say you’ll do it?”
They had been spending a lot of time together.
It was true. Rachel had been helping her with the creation of the ranch menu.
And between cooking and eating not just the food she’d made but also the woman’s delicious desserts, they’d got to know each other.
Riley had told her all about her very sheltered childhood, her anxiety in social situations and her severe lack of friendships.
And in turn, Rachel had told her all about her tumultuous past which included an abusive father, his gambling debts and how the combination of the two ended up getting her now fiancé shot.
“Yes,” she breathed as tears pricked her eyes. “I would love to. If you’re sure?”
Libby, Cat, Bella and Rachel all jumped in excitement. With cheers ringing around the small garden. It was enough to catch the attention of the men, who were now wandering over.
“What’s going on?” Wade was the first to get there, his arm wrapping around Riley’s shoulders as she was pulled into his side.
“Riley has just agreed to be a bridesmaid at my wedding,” Rachel chirped.
“Yeah?” The smile Wade gave Riley was so bright, she resisted the urge to squint as he peered down at her.
“Don’t you mean our wedding, honeybun?” Hunter teased as Rachel was hauled backward into her man’s big burly arms.
Cat’s husband Cody joined the group next, then Zach, both of them claiming their women with a kiss and arm wrap. Luke and Benny were next to roll up. Luke lacing his fingers through Bella’s and offering her a sweet smile. Meanwhile, Benny was stuffing another hot dog into his mouth.
Matt and Jonah were the only ones who hadn’t joined them as they remained around the barbecue, flipping burgers with the help of Cat and Cody’s son, Dylan.
Rachel repeated the news to the newcomers.
All of whom looked pleased. But it was Wade’s happiness that radiated as he lay more kisses on the top of her head.
He’d been extremely encouraging and supportive of her new friendships.
And whenever Rachel had come over to his place, because that was where Riley spent most of her time now, he’d give them space to have their girl time.
“You wanna be a groomsman?” Hunter grunted, his chin lifting to Wade.
“Huh?” Was Wade’s baffled reaction.
All the women stifled their sniggers. “Gonna need someone to walk Riley down the aisle, wanna be a groomsman?” Hunter repeated.
“Men really are a different species,” Libby said as she shook her head.
Rachel was first to lose the battle and let out a giggle. Next was Bella. Then Cat. And finally, Libby and Riley joined in.
“I’ll walk her down the aisle.” Benny put his hand up. “In case you fuckers have forgotten, I’m not walking down the aisle with anyone.”
More laughter from the group erupted.
Luke slapped Benny on the back. “We’ve not forgotten, dude.”
“Why are you all laughing?” Benny whined.
“You’ve not told him yet, have you?” Rachel slapped Hunter’s hand that was resting on her stomach.
“Told me what?”
Hunter turned to Benny and blanked his features as he announced, “You’re walking down the aisle with Snowcone.”
“The fucking cat!” Benny spat as the group exploded again. “Are you fucking kidding?”
Riley took a moment to look around at the men and women surrounding her.
She never knew a life like this was possible for her.
She felt accepted. For the first time in thirty years.
The women knew all about her anxiety and never pushed for more than she could give.
They embraced her quirks. Celebrated them.
And as for the man holding her tight, without a doubt, she knew she’d fallen in love with him.
But instead of letting her fear of what that meant win, she was going to lean into it. Enjoy it. She’d wasted enough time.