by Tessa Bailey
“Riley!” Rowan scolds. “Be nice.”
“I’m just askin’! Geez.”
“I’m twenty-seven.”
I choke on my food, and Zoey pats me on the back, holding in her laughter. Rowan’s face pales because she knows I’m about to lose my shit.
“You’re too old to be around my sister,” I tell him matter-of-factly. “Best you hang around girls your own age. Try the senior center.”
Rowan rolls her eyes, then kicks my leg under the table. “You’re not the boss of me.”
“Do Mom and Dad know? Or do I get the pleasure of relaying the news?” I smirk, knowing that’ll shut her up.
“Mom has no problem with it. Plus, we’re just hanging out.” She looks at whatever the hell his name is and smiles. Fuckin’ great. Now I have to kill him.
“You just turned twenty,” I say.
“Really? Damn, I’d forgotten.” Her sarcasm isn’t lost on me.
When I look up, I see Diesel and wave him over. He’ll fix this little issue.
“Riley, don’t…” Zoey whispers, but it’s too late. He’s already heading this way.
Chapter Sixteen
Zoey
I love how Riley and Rowan are close, and that he’s so protective of her. However, I feel bad because he’s embarrassed the shit out of her. Rowan and I have grown closer recently, and she mentioned Trace and how excited she was that he was coming today. Now my husband is playing macho big brother, and before I can stop it, Diesel struts over, looking like he wants to crush Trace. He could without even trying.
It’s no secret Diesel has a thing for Rowan, but she’s off-limits. Riley would never approve, though if Rowan really liked Diesel, she wouldn’t care what he thought. But I also think Diesel respects his friendship with Riley too much to push it.
“’Sup?” Diesel sits down on the other side of Rowan, so close their arms touch.
“We’re just meeting Rowan’s new friend here,” Riley says, the sarcasm evident in his tone. “Trace, right?”
“Nice to meet ya,” Diesel says, leaning forward and holding his hand out across Rowan. She looks horrified. “I’m Diesel.”
Trace shakes his hand, giving him a wary look. “Diesel? Interesting name. Nice to meet you, too.”
“Not my real name,” he says, sitting back in his seat. “But everyone calls me that and knows not to mess with me.”
Oh my God. I see the mortified look on Rowan’s face.
“Diesel’s like an annoying brother,” Rowan explains, swallowing hard. “Which means I have two of them to deal with.” She gives Riley a pointed look.
“Wouldn’t know much about that,” Trace says. “I only had a younger sister, but she’s from my dad’s second marriage and ten years younger than me.”
“So then you know about being a protective big brother,” Riley says with an edge to his tone.
Rowan gives me a look, pleading for me to do something.
“Who wants dessert?” I blurt, standing. “Honey, come with me. I told your grandma I’d help cut the pies.”
“I’m fine right here.”
Leaning down, I press my lips to his ear. “I promise to make it worth your while.”
His back stiffens, and I officially have his attention. Riley stands, then gives Rowan one more look before raising his brows to Diesel and tilting his head toward Trace. Diesel grins and gives him a head nod in return.
Once we’re far enough away, I grab his arm. “What was that back there? Did you and Diesel just do some bro-code language or something?”
“I was telling him to keep an eye on them and not to let them out of his sight.”
I shake my head. “You’re too much sometimes.”
“Isn’t that what you love about me, though?” Riley turns and wraps his arms around me. I can’t even be mad about how protective he is of his little sister, especially when he looks at me with lust in his eyes. The way he throws around the L word should scare me, but it doesn’t. I’ve been falling for Riley since the moment we met, and when we’re together, I fall harder. I learn something new about him every day, and every day, I find it nearly impossible to leave. I’ve already decided I want to be here as long as he’ll have me. I want this relationship to work more than anything, but I have to break the news to my parents first. Somehow.
“She’s not a kid anymore, babe. You have to let her make her own decisions, even if you don’t agree with them.”
He grunts, disagreeing, which makes me laugh. “He’s way too old for her. What does a twenty-seven-year-old want with a twenty-year-old anyway? He can’t get anyone his own age?”
“Age doesn’t matter if he’s the right one,” I counter. “Are you saying I should’ve denied you had you been twenty-seven? Rowan and I are nearly the same age, remember.”
“That’s different.” His jaw locks.
I snort, pushing his chest. “That’s called being a hypocrite.”
As the sun dips below the horizon, everyone lies under the stars, anxiously awaiting the firework display. Riley took the horses back a couple of hours ago and returned with his truck and blankets for us. He normally helps the guys set up, but Diesel volunteered so Riley could stay behind and enjoy them with me.
At the sound of the first boom, I jump, and Riley holds me tighter. “Whoa, it’s really loud!”
He laughs, then presses a kiss to my temple. “Guess that means you better get closer.”
The show is amazing, better than I’ve ever seen. It goes on for over an hour before the grand finale starts. There are dozens of beautiful, glittering bursts that nearly leave me breathless. His uncles laugh as they continuously shoot red, silver, and blue fireworks into the night sky. Eventually, the booms end, and everyone cheers.
“Wow…” I say, impressed as hell. “I can see why so many people come out here.” There’s not a bad seat in the place.
“I’m so glad you liked it.” He bends down and kisses me. “Bishops believe in traditions, and this is one of many.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I sigh. “The only traditions my family have are work related. I’m convinced my parents forgot how to have fun.”
“Well, I hope to always be around to remind you.” He tilts my chin so our eyes lock. “Will you stay over tonight?”
I chew on my lip to prevent answering too quickly and embarrassing myself. The last time I stayed with him, we fooled around and cuddled. It was amazing, but we didn’t cross the line. Though he’s looking at me like he wants to now. “Uhh, sure. I mean, your bed’s probably more comfortable than the one at the B&B.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m gonna need a better response than that, woman.”
“Because you’ll keep me warm?”
“Try again.”
Inhaling a deep breath, the corner of my lips tilts up. “Fine.” Then I lean forward and bring my mouth to his ear. “So we can not sleep all night.”
I pull back to watch his reaction. He’s staring as if he’s waiting for me to say I’m only kidding. But I’m not.
“Better? Or should I ask some other man around here to—”
Before I can finish, Riley has me on my back with my hands pinned down. He’s towering over me with a devilish grin on his face, pressing his hips into mine, and I feel how hard he is. “You have any idea how fuckin’ lucky you are that we aren’t alone at the moment?” He leans in even closer, and his lips brush mine. “Because I’d be ripping off your clothes and sliding inside you right now.”
The deep growl of his voice sends a shiver down my spine. Yes. My body is begging for him again.
Swallowing hard, I pull back just enough to look into his eyes. “Then you better take me home, cowboy.”
He arches a brow as if he’s not sure I’m serious. “I only have so much willpower, so if you aren’t ready, I understand, but don’t test my self-control and say stuff like that. It’s about to fuckin’ snap.”
I grin, reaching over and finding his thickness between his legs. “
Let’s test that theory, shall we?”
“Zoey,” he warns, his eyes struggling to stay open as I touch him.
“Take. Me. Home,” I say slowly, but only loud enough for him to hear as I press my palm harder over his jeans.
“Goddammit,” he hisses between his teeth, then he grabs my hands and pulls me up.
The moment we’re both standing, he picks up the blankets, then leads us through the crowd of people without saying anything to anyone. Giggling at his eagerness, I quickly wave goodbye to Rowan as he walks faster.
“You’re going to make me trip,” I say, laughing. Without a response, Riley turns toward me and scoops me up caveman style. He hauls me over his shoulder, then continues walking fast.
“Riley!” I shout, slapping his tight ass. “This wasn’t what I meant!”
“Too late, sweetheart.” He sets me down on my feet when we arrive at his truck. “Get in. Now.”
My eyes widen at his harsh tone, and he jogs to the driver’s side and jumps in.
“Don’t worry, I told Diesel to get lost tonight.”
I chuckle at his smirk and the way he waggles his brows at me. “Oh, so you planned this?”
“Since the moment you arrived.” He winks.
On the drive back to his house, I notice he’s definitely going faster than usual. The smile on my face is obnoxious, but I can’t help it. I’ve been waiting for this since I arrived, just as eager and anxious as him.
“You lookin’ at me like you want to eat me for dessert isn’t helping, Zoey,” he warns in that deep tone again.
“Now you know what you’ve been doing to me,” I counter, smirking. “Being a gentleman, all considerate and charming, always kissing me so sweetly, and inhaling my scent when you nuzzle my neck. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
He shakes his head now, grinning. “That’s all it took, huh?”
“Shut up.” I chuckle, then turn serious. “It took finding the right one. It’s because you’re different than any guy I’ve ever met.”
We finally get to his house, and he nearly drags me out of the truck after he parks. Because Riley’s in such a hurry, he drops his keys, fumbling to unlock the house. Once we’re inside, he backs me up until I’m leaning against the cool wood of the door. His mouth and hands are on me, cupping my face as he slides his tongue between my lips. When my moans turn greedy, he deepens the kiss.
My hands go to the hem of his shirt, lifting it until he gets the hint and pulls it over his head. I kick off my shoes and remove my top. His fingers find the button and zipper of my denim shorts, sliding them down until they reach my ankles, and I kick them away, leaving me standing in only my bra and panties. Our breaths mix in heavy pants, eager to have each other.
It’s more than obvious that there’s always been more between us. Our conversations are easy, the attraction is mutual, and our chemistry is so hot it could burn. I want nothing more than to be Riley’s wife and start our life together here. I know I need to explain what happened after Vegas and why I sent those annulment papers, but right now seems like the worst possible time to tell him.
“Riley…” I moan as he pushes my panties to the side and slides a finger up my slit. “Fuck.” My head falls back against the door as his thumb rubs my clit. My arms tighten around his neck as I pull him closer. “Don’t stop.”
“Hell no. How could I when you sound so goddamn sweet?” He wraps his hand around my throat, and our mouths slam together as he sinks a finger inside me. “You’re so wet, baby. You want this?”
My breathing is rapid as my heart tries to catch up with my thoughts that are going a thousand miles an hour. “Yes. God, yes.”
“Tell me, Zoey.” He sucks my neck before his breath brushes over my ear. Then he adds a second finger, thrusting harder and faster. “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” I say, digging my nails into his biceps. “I want you.”
“Yeah?” I feel him smile against my cheek. “Because I want to fuckin’ devour you, sweetheart. I want you fallin’ asleep in my bed every night and wakin’ up next to me every morning. I want to eat dinner with you, fight over the remote, and take horseback rides at sunset. I want you here—in my life—permanently.”
My pulse beats hard in my neck as he says the most perfect things to me. My breath hitches as I take in his words because I want all of that too. I hate leaving at night and not seeing him first thing in the morning even though we spend as much time together as we can. But it’s not enough anymore. We both want more.
Heat rushes between my legs as he continues his sweet assault on my pussy. I ache for more of him. I want all of him.
“I love you,” I whisper, fighting to keep my eyes open so I can look at him. He slows his movements, then pulls back to study me.
“You stole the words right out of my head,” he says with a chuckle, smiling as he cups my face and slants his mouth over mine. “I fell in love with you so quick and fast, but I didn’t want to scare you away.”
“Nothing is scary with you,” I admit. “I know this is probably crazy, but I don’t care. Falling in love with you was the last thing I expected, but I can’t imagine anything else now.”
“Does this mean you’re staying?” Riley asks, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “Please tell me you are.”
Smiling, I nod as tears threaten to fall. “I have to tell my family, in person, but then yes, I’ll be back.”
“Let me go with you. We can tell them together.” My heart races at the thought of them meeting Riley as my husband and having to face the consequences.
“Maybe,” I offer. “They’ll be in shock.”
“Well, I’ll come to support you if you want me to, but if not, I understand.” Riley tilts my chin, pressing a light kiss to my lips. “As long as you come back to me.”
Wrapping my arms around him and pulling him closer, I nod. “Always.” I inhale a sharp breath. “Now make love to your wife.”
“Jesus fuck, yes.” He moans as our bodies collide, and he lifts me under my knees until my legs wrap around him. “I’ve been going through withdrawals.”
I giggle as he walks us through the house and into his bedroom. Riley places me on the bed, then removes the rest of his clothing except his boxers. “I’m taking my time with you, baby. No drunken quickies.”
My eyes widen. “That was a quickie last time?” I wasn’t sober in the least in Vegas, but I’ll never forget being with him.
Riley flashes a devilish grin and nods. He kneels on the bed between my legs and cups my ass, dragging me closer to his face. The moment I feel his hot mouth over the thin material of my panties, I’m ready to combust. He slides them down before finding my clit and sucking hard. The way he teases me with his tongue and fingers has me driving closer over the edge, screaming his name and needing relief.
“Riley, please…” I beg, arching my hips and wiggling beneath him. “I’m so close.”
He responds by removing his fingers and sinking his tongue inside me while using his thumb to rub circles against my clit. The sensation is enough to drive me insane. I’m so damn close to exploding. I love the way his beard scratches my thighs and pussy as he moves his face around, torturing me in the most pleasurable way.
My fingers tangle in his hair, and I widen my legs for him. When he slides up and circles his tongue against my clit, everything goes black.
“Yes, yes, yes…right there.”
Riley applies just the right amount of pressure to set me off, causing my body to shake and tremble.
“Oh my God…” I finally manage to say. My chest rises and falls as I catch my breath. I feel him smile against my thigh as he presses a kiss there.
“I can die a happy man now that I’ve felt you come against my tongue, sweetheart.” He towers over me, grinning. “You wanna taste?”
I’ve never had a man ask me that question before, but from Riley, it’s a no-brainer. “Yes.”
Putting part of his body weight on top of me, he leans down
and slides his eager tongue between my swollen lips and groans when I arch my hips to meet his erection.
“Now let me taste your cock,” I say when he settles next to me.
“Fuck, babe. Don’t say things like that.” He slides his hand over my waist and pulls me closer, groaning at the friction. When I furrow my brows, he continues, “I don’t want to come in your mouth, and if your lips are anywhere near my cock, I won’t be able to control myself.”
“So never?” I pop a brow at him.
“No, not never, but not tonight.”
I nod in understanding. “Then you better fuck me soon because I’m dying.” I overexaggerate, groaning at the loss of him.
Riley grabs my thigh and wraps it over his hip. “Are you on birth control? I want to make love to my wife without a condom, so if you’re not, you better tell me now.”
I grind myself against him, his throbbing erection teasing my pussy through his boxers. “Yes, I have an IUD.”
“Thank fuck. I’ve always used a condom, but with you, sweetheart, I don’t want to.”
“I have too. Always,” I admit, though I’ve not had many sexual partners. “I don’t want to either.”
Riley rolls us until I’m underneath him, and he’s between my legs. “We’re really doing this, Zoey. Giving our marriage a real chance. You’re moving here.”
Yes. That’s exactly what I want.
I’ll figure it all out when I’m in Phoenix, but Riley is who I want regardless of what my parents think or say. Not wanting to ruin the moment, I promise myself I’ll tell him all my secrets tomorrow, then make plans to go home so I can tell my family and pack up my things. If he loves me like he says he does, then I know we’ll be able to work through anything.
“Yes,” I whisper, locking my ankles behind his back.
“Say those three words again, baby.” He buries his face into my hair, his mouth slides against my neck.
Smiling, I wrap my fingers around his arms. “I love you.”
He grinds against me. Sweet fucking torture.
“Again.”
“I love you, Riley.”