Spring Romance: NINE Happily Ever Afters

by Tessa Bailey

  Those dirty thoughts consume me as I stare at his tight ass in those jeans as he stirs something on the stovetop. After work, he showered, and now I’m ready to pounce. The man looks good in literally anything. Tonight he’s wearing a ball cap, which I find equally as sexy. Riley’s shirt looks painted on, showing off his pecs and biceps, and if the man doesn’t put out soon, I might combust.

  “Are you enjoying the view?” he asks without looking over his shoulder.

  I grab my glass of wine and take a sip. “I thought dinner came with the scenery.” Forcing my eyes off him, I look out the window above the kitchen sink.

  “You know I can see your reflection, right?”

  When I look closer, I see a smirk planted on his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Mmhmm.” He chuckles before turning off one of the burners, then spins around to face me.

  “You keep looking at me like that, we won’t make it to dessert.” He’s in front of me in two long strides, planting his feet between my thighs as I sit on the barstool. Riley’s kitchen has an island with a breakfast bar, a nice marble countertop, and stainless steel appliances. It looks nothing like what I expected of a ranch cottage, but he told me they remodeled it a few years ago. It’s quite impressive.

  “Well, it’s really not fair. Could you wear a garbage bag or something?”

  He pops a brow. “And what? You think you’re innocent in all of this?”

  “What? I’m just sitting here!” I defend, squeezing my thighs around his legs.

  Riley doesn’t take his eyes off mine as he grabs my hand and slides it over his jeans. I feel his erection against my palm and hold back a smile, knowing I’m the reason for it.

  “Does making pasta always make you this horny?” I quip, keeping a straight face. “Pasta-arousalitis? Is that a thing? You might want to see a doctor about that. Actually, more like a psychiatrist.”

  “Funny,” he says, amused, arching his hips further into my hand. “Pretty sure I’ve had one since the day I met you.”

  “Now you really might want to see a doctor for that. I imagine it hurts.” I lick my lips as I keep my hand on him. Does he have any idea how much self-control it’s taking not to rip off his clothes right now?

  “Same, babe.”

  I blush. “Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud.”

  “Well…you did,” Riley growls deeply. Then he leans down, placing a hand on each side of me on the island counter so our eyes are level. “I haven’t forgotten our night together, Zoey. How could I? But we’re taking it slow, so that means no more eye fucking me, okay? Otherwise, my willpower will snap.”

  I inhale a sharp breath at how close he is to me, how much I want to smack my lips to his, and how sexy his voice sounds. God, I’m in so much trouble.

  Swallowing hard, I nod, then press my palms to his chest to create some space. I know before we move to the next level, we need to discuss what happened after I left Vegas. “Fine, then you have to do the same.”

  Riley grins as he shakes his head, moving toward the stove. “Perhaps we both need to wear sunglasses around each other.” He turns around and checks the sauce.

  I roll my eyes. The man is no fun. “Or you could just take me to your room and fuck me all night long?”

  He freezes, his back going stiff as he looks to the side. I watch as he opens his mouth, then slams it shut. The poor guy, I’ve made him speechless.

  Holding back my laughter, I continue, “But if you insist, we can eat dinner.”

  I help him serve our food. He made a chicken pasta dish that smells delicious. Then he made a side of veggies from the garden, and after taking the first bite, I release an exaggerated moan.

  “Where did you learn to cook?” I ask, knowing most men his age have no clue.

  “My grandmother. And my mom. After I moved out of the house, I had to fend for myself, so I continued to practice what they had taught me. My mother thinks I’m incapable, though, so she invites me to dinner a few times a week. Of course I don’t pass up the opportunity. Diesel usually tags along too.”

  “So weird question…” I start with a hint of a smile. “Diesel. What’s his real name? Does anyone actually know? I’ve asked all your cousins, and no one seems to have the answer.”

  Riley starts laughing and nods. “It’s because no one ever calls him by it, and after a while, you forget it’s not his real name.”

  “Are you gonna tell me?” I tease. “Or am I supposed to guess?”

  Riley smirks. “It’s Adam.”

  “Really?” I shriek. “Wow, I don’t see that at all.”

  We both laugh.

  “Yep, but only his mama calls him that.”

  “I’m going to say it next time I see him just for fun and see if he reacts,” I mock. “Considering he teases me every chance he gets.”

  “That’s only because he knows asking about Summer riles you up,” Riley tells me.

  “She’s married!” I protest but chuckle, thinking about it. “He spent the night with Chelsea. She talked about it for a week straight.” I roll my eyes because even though I hooked up with Riley, I kept the details to myself.

  “Does Summer know you’re here?” he asks, which catches me off guard slightly.

  I exhale slowly and look down. “No. I didn’t tell anyone. She thinks I signed the papers, and everything got taken care of before my parents found out, but…”

  “But what?” he pushes.

  “They wouldn’t approve,” I admit softly. “They want a certain lifestyle for me and have been very vocal about that for as long as I can remember, so I knew telling them would only make things worse. Instead, I explained that I needed to clear my head and planned a road trip. I’ve done it a few times before, so they didn’t think anything about it. But the truth is, I needed time away from them and their expectations to really see what it was that I wanted.”

  I look up and see his stony expression. “And what’s that, Zoey? What do you want?” His question comes out harsh, but I don’t blame him.

  “That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I say softly. “This past week has changed a lot for me, and I’m still trying to process it all. Standing up to my parents won’t be easy, it never has been, and I don’t want to disappoint them. If they knew I was here, they’d find a way to force me to come home.”

  Riley narrows his eyes at me, dropping his fork. “Zoey, you’re twenty-one years old. You’re allowed to have your own life and want things for yourself that they might not agree with or condone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have them.”

  This is so not how I wanted our conversation to go. Talking about my overbearing parents always puts me in a sour mood.

  “I know that, Riley, but it’s easier said than done. I couldn’t afford to move out, so I still live with them. And I’m a hairdresser, so it’s not like I’m rolling in a lot of money. I save as much as possible so I can escape from time to time, but when I’ve constantly lived in my sister’s shadow, it’s hard not to feel like a disappointment. After seeing the way your family is and how everyone loves each other unconditionally, it’s a bit much to take in. I wish I had that kind of support, but I don’t, so whatever I decide is going to change things. Whether it’s deciding to stay here or going home and living life the way they see fit—this trip will change everything.”

  “What’s your heart telling you right now? What is it you want, Zoey? Don’t think about your parents or the consequences.”

  This should be an easy answer. Stay here. Be with him. Make a life together.

  But I don’t say any of those things.

  “My heart is torn,” I say instead, lowering my eyes because I can’t bear to disappoint him.

  “Zoey.” He says my name firmly, causing me to look at him. “Stay with me tonight.”

  My lips tilt into a smile at the sweet way he’s looking at me. “Okay.”

  * * *

  “Sit still,” I repeat for the third time,
laughing at his eagerness. After dinner, I asked if I could give him a haircut since it was starting to get long on the sides and in the back. Once I confirmed he had a grooming kit, I made him sit on a stool and wrapped a towel around his shoulders. “I’m going to give you a backward mohawk if you keep wiggling.”

  “Then stop breathing on my neck and making my thoughts turn naughty,” he says, side-eyeing me.

  “I have no clue what you’re talking about, Mr. Bishop.” I brush my fingers along his neck to wipe away pieces of hair.

  “Really? Do you touch all your clients so seductively?”

  “Of course. I work for tips, ya know?” I tease. “Why do you think my hands are so soft? I use lotion daily. It’s what keeps them coming back.”

  “That’s not even funny,” he hisses.

  “You know…” I move between his legs to make sure everything is even in the front and sides. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d be the possessive type when I first saw you. But…I can’t say I hate it.” I smirk, not looking into his eyes as I brush my fingers through his hair.

  He grips my waist, then pulls me closer until I cave and bend down. Riley wraps a hand around my neck and brings our mouths together. “Only you’ve brought that out in me,” he says against my lips. “Knew you for a few hours and already wanted to murder any man who dared to look at you. And trust me, at those clubs, they were lookin’.”

  I smile at his words. I’ve never met a man who was so open about his feelings and didn’t play any childish games, or hell, a man who actually paid attention to me instead of his phone.

  “Well, I hadn’t noticed because my eyes were only focused on you,” I tell him honestly. “I was afraid if I blinked, you’d disappear or something.”

  Riley grins, grabbing my thighs to pull me down to straddle him. “Are you done with my hair yet?”

  Nodding, I wrap my arms around his neck and position myself on top of him. “That’ll be three hundred dollars, sir.”

  Riley chokes, causing me to burst out laughing. “For a trim?”

  “You’re paying for my upbeat and very personal service.”

  “Oh, of course. How foolish of me not to consider that. Think you could take an IOU? I’m a little short on bullshit this month.” He brings our mouths closer.

  “Hmm…I think we could arrange something.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Riley

  Having Zoey here for the past week has been amazing. We’ve quickly fallen into a routine, and I just wish I had more time. Eventually, she’ll decide if she’s staying permanently or returning to Arizona. It’s something I’ve tried to push to the back of my mind because losing her for good would be too much. I’m not stupid and understand her whole life is back in Phoenix. We can’t last forever the way we are now. Things will have to change.

  At first, she was concerned that my family wouldn’t like her or accept our marriage, but I knew they’d see what I saw in her the first time we met. However, since we’re only testing this out, and they’ve already fallen in love with her, I won’t be the only heartbroken one if she leaves. The thought makes me fucking sick to my stomach.

  I take a sip of water and watch my dad, changing the oil in a tractor.

  “Wanna give me a hand?” he asks with grease on his face.

  I walk over and pick up the spare parts.

  “How are things going with the wife?” he asks, grabbing a wrench and removing bolts.

  I snort. “Wow, it sounds weird when you ask me questions like that.”

  “Well, you’re a married man now. My little baby boy is all grown up.” He chuckles.

  “Shut up, Old Man.”

  “You gonna make me a grandpa already?” He looks up at me with an arched eyebrow.

  “Not planning on it yet.” This conversation is awkward as hell.

  Dad replaces the oil filter and fills the tractor, then goes back to tightening everything the way it was. “Look, son. I know you got it bad when it comes to Zoey, but I want you to be careful. You two rushed into this quite fast, and I don’t want you to get hurt.” Dad searches my face, wiping his greasy hands on his pants. Mom’s gonna kill him. Trying to get stains out of his clothes is one of her pet peeves.

  I look out over the horizon and focus on the rolling hills in the distance as I lean against the hot metal of the tractor. “I know.”

  “You signed the annulment papers. She wouldn’t have sent them if she didn’t have doubts,” he continues. “Her life is in Phoenix. Is she really willing to give that up? Being here on the ranch in the middle of nowhere is a lot to take in. Trust me, it’s a huge change for those city girls, and it takes some adjusting. At first, it seems like a vacation, and then the newness wears off. We love it because it’s in our genes, but this life isn’t for everyone. You know that.”

  I think back on all the things Zoey and I have talked about over the past week. Her parents, her life, her job, all of it. “If we’re meant to be, it will be. I’m not forcing anything, but I know deep in my heart she’s the one. The way she makes me feel, Dad. It’s real. There’s no pretending when we’re together. I don’t have any doubts.”

  All he does is nod. I wonder if Ma is worried about me getting hurt too. Being married is a change, for damn sure, but one I’m willing to make. All I want is for Zoey to be happy. We deserve each other in a way that I don’t think most people understand. I know that down to the core of my being. Zoey. My wife. I’m completely in-fucking-fatuated with her. Though everything happened so quickly, it’s already impossible to imagine her not being in my life. I’ve never met anyone like her before.

  “You know, it only took a few days for me to feel the same way about your mother, yet there was a point in my life when I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again, and it practically destroyed me. It worked out for us, but not everyone is so lucky. I support you and whatever you do. I know you’re smitten, that much is obvious, but marriage isn’t easy once the honeymoon phase wears off. There are ups and downs, and you gotta be able to communicate and work through them. Spend this time really getting to know her. Everything about her. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And she needs to know your quirks too.”

  “Thankfully, I don’t have anything to hide. Open book right here.” I shrug.

  Dad laughs. “Whatever you say.”

  We finish working on the tractor, and he starts it up, then moves it back into the barn. After he hops off, I look at him.

  “Mom put you up to talking to me, didn’t she?” I arch a brow at him, suspicious.

  The smirk gives him away. “Even though I’m not concerned about you, she is. You’re a Bishop, so I know how this works. It’s hard for women to walk away from us because we’re so damn addicting.” He winks, not at all too proud to admit it.

  I shake my head, chuckling. “And that’s exactly how I was born.”

  After we’re finished, I check my phone and see I have a text from my mother to come over and pick up some leftovers. I show Dad, and he gives me a pointed look. Groaning, I release a slow breath. “Great.”

  “Might as well call it a day. We’re pretty much done anyway. You better not make her wait. She’s on the night shift and will be leaving soon,” he tells me as I walk toward my truck.

  I turn and look at him. “Anything else I need to know?”

  “Just tell her you’re using protection,” he calls out, and I can see he’s laughing when he turns around.

  “I am!” I yell. I hop in the truck and drive across the property to my parents’ house. I walk inside, take off my hat, and see Mom has containers stacked a mile high to the ceiling. Rowan’s digging in the fridge, and Mom is nowhere to be found.

  “Oh.” She turns around and screams. “Who the fuck are you?”

  I narrow my eyes at her and shake my head at her dramatics. “What’re you talking about?”

  “Riley, thank God.” She holds her hand to her heart. “Didn’t recognize you without your shaggy hair. Looks like your wife is chan
ging you already. Gettin’ haircuts and taking showers these days. Damn, ya got hitched and turned into a brand-new man. Who woulda thought?”

  “Riley,” my mother calls out from behind me. I turn around and see her dressed in scrubs with her hair in a high ponytail. Mom loves her job at the hospital, taking care of premature babies. She gives Rowan a pointed look, and within a few seconds, Rowan slinks out of the kitchen, and it’s just us.

  “Before you even say anything, we’re using protection,” I blurt out.

  She tilts her head at me, giving me a confused look. “Good for you…”

  I groan, realizing Dad set me up. “That’s not what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  Letting out a soft laugh, she grins. “I didn’t want this food to go to waste. But I will admit I’m worried about you falling too hard and too fast, and then things not working out the way you want them to.”

  Glancing over at her, I scrub my palms over my face and exhale deeply. “Do you like Zoey?” I ask as she places the containers in reusable bags.

  I know I’m putting her on the spot, but I have to know.

  She moves closer to me, patting my cheek as she’s done since I was a young boy. “Yes, I do. I think she’s a nice girl.”

  “That’s all I need to know. Ma, I already got the speech from Dad today. I know y’all care about me and think this could end badly, but Zoey’s special, and it’s all gonna work out.”

  “I don’t think a girl would come all this way for nothing, Riley. It’s obvious she genuinely cares about you. I see the way she looks at you. How she laughs at your jokes. There’s admiration there, and she respects you. But is it enough to keep her here?”

  I nod, halfway wondering that myself but believe it is. “It’s enough right now.” My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I see it’s a text from Zoey telling me to meet her at the B&B in an hour. “I gotta go. I love you, Ma.” I give her a kiss on the cheek, grab the extra food, and leave. On the drive home, all I can do is smile, because I know my parents care enough about me to support what makes me happy.