Rider Forbidden: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Badger's Mount Book 1)

by Izzy Williams

  I move to get up - he holds his hand out - I grab onto it and he pulls me up. I slide my dress on, it's tricky, it's wet through, my bra goes straight into my bag - no way I’ll get that back on its soaked. I go to pick up my knickers, but Jack swoops down and gets them before me and tucks them in his pocket.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “Just a memento, of the hottest night of my fucking life.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “Of course it is.”

  He frowns and steps into my space, stooping so his eyes are at a level with mine. “I'm serious Robyn, don't make fun of me when I'm being serious.”

  I nod, it’s important to him for some reason that I believe him. He kisses me quickly on my bruised lips and then we make our way off the beach. It's still raining but has lightened up now, there is no one on the streets and the roads are flooded. We laugh as we run back to the hotel, barefooted holding our shoes, seems like not a care in the world. To anyone watching us, we look like a young couple in love.

  “You're coming back to my room, right?”

  “As long as I can have a shower, yes.”

  “We’ll have one, I’ll soap you down, get you nice and clean so that I can get you dirty again.”

  We get in the lift. “You have a very high sex drive, don't you?”

  He laughs. “Generally yes, but when you're around multiply it by about a hundred.”

  I step into him and kiss him, he slides his arms around me. This is getting too . . . everything. I feel comfort, I feel need, I can't fall for this guy, for a thousand different reasons. I need to tell myself over and over again as we step into the shower together that after tonight that is it. We go back home tomorrow. Things return to normal. I wonder if I can ever go back to normal after spending this time with him.

  Chapter 14

  Jack

  “She stayed the night?” Denny asks, unable to believe his ears.

  “Yeah, that’s what I said.” Jack sighs.

  “You invited her to stay the night or she wouldn't leave?”

  Huh, if only he knew how much I practically had to beg to get her to stay in the first place. “I invited her to stay, it's no big deal.”

  “How many times have you fucked her?”

  “Dunno, a few why?”

  “Why, Jack? Because you never go back more than once, yet with Robyn - a girl by the way you've been warned off and could risk all our jobs – you keep going back. I'm stunned at the fact that you spent the night with someone.”

  What a night it was. That beach . . . fuck that beach, that was the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced. All of this trip, going down on her that second night, fucking her on the third, but last night - last night blew those out of the water. When we got back to the room we showered, I cleaned her then I went down on her and made her come. The taste of her . . . Christ. I would never tire of it, and I’m the only guy that’s ever done that to her, ever. I'm the only guy that’s ever made her come, ever. Makes me feel omnipotent. She makes me feel like I can conquer the world. I feel like I'm the man for her. Wait . . . what?

  “My heads fucked Denny.”

  “You like her.”

  I look at him but don't say anything. He knows me too well to know I’ve never acted like this about a girl before. But that right there alone sends me freaking way the hell out.

  I laugh and shake my head. “Fuck.”

  “Come on, let’s go find the others, we need to get on the plane.”

  We get seated, I'm next to Denny, Robyn is next to Sophie a few rows behind us. Harry managed to get her on our flight. I'm so tired - I’ve had zero sleep since we got to Spain - not that I'm complaining. We did fall asleep last night for a few hours but that is it. I’ve never slept with a woman, ever. I know how screwed up that is, but even hammered when I’ve pulled, I’ve never fallen asleep. I lied awake after she’d fallen asleep, her head on my shoulder, my arm around her, her curled into me and her gorgeous hair draped over my arm. I wanted to lie like that forever. It's scaring the shit out of me that I'm thinking like this about her.

  This morning though - we made love - and that was something I’ve never done before. While I glided in and out of her we were looking into each other's eyes, my hands were joined with hers above her head, it was . . . intense . . . different. But I want to do it again and again. Christ, I might be giving her a lot of firsts but she’s certainly giving me a few big ones.

  What the fuck do I do about it though? There’s nothing I can do. Even if I suddenly did a life 360 and decided I might want to try the girlfriend thing - which I do not want, then there’s the fact that she has a kid. I can't see me sat watching Disney films and going to the zoo. It's just not me. He’s a cool kid, but I don't know anything about spending time with a kid or how to act around them. Although I seem to have made a big hit with him.

  If I talk to her, tell her what I’m feeling, that makes me vulnerable as fuck, and I don’t do vulnerable. I need normality, that’s what it is, I’ve been in holiday mode and it was just a holiday romance. It’ll be fine once we're back in the routine - it’ll be like nothing happened. But then there’s my little voice, telling me I was into her before Spain. No, I’ve gotten her out of my system now. I need to get laid as soon as possible when I get back. That’ll get her out of my head. I should never have gone back more than once. What was I thinking?

  Chapter 15

  Robyn

  “We need to have a chat with you tomorrow honey, when Elijah has gone to school.” Mum and dad both look worried, somethings up.

  I stand up to full height from hugging Eli on the floor. “What’s up?”

  Mum pointedly looks down at Eli, “Not now honey, tomorrow yeah?”

  I nod, “OK, but everything’s OK with Eli, right?”

  She nods and pats my arm. “Of course, he’s perfect. Now go home and spend some time together.”

  I pack all his things in my car and drive us home.

  “So, sweetie, did you have a good time with grandma and grandad?”

  He nods “I did, we did lots of fun stuff.” He yawns.

  I need to get him to bed as soon as possible, school tomorrow but at least I’ll get all weekend with him. I'm going to think of something fun to do, he loves the aquarium and dad said there was a good one not far from here, we'll have a lovely mum and son day. The best kind. Might take my mind off ‘he who shall not be named’.

  “I missed you, sweetie, I'm so glad to be back home.”

  He nods “I missed you too. I know what grandma wants to tell you.”

  I glance at him as we're pulling up on my drive. “Do you?”

  “A man came to see them. He wanted to see you, but grandma said you weren't there.”

  I frown, who the hell could that be?

  “Oh right, well I guess they'll tell me tomorrow.”

  We get into the house and I get him settled into bed. I sit with him while he goes to sleep. He’s my number one in the whole world. All mine. Suddenly I get a panicky thought. What if it was Bobby? Shit. I can't think of anyone else it would be. It makes sense, since he only knows where mum and dad live.

  Once I know he’s fast asleep I put his night light on and go and call mum.

  “Sweetie, everything OK?” she answers

  “Mum, Eli said that someone came, it wasn't Bobby was it?”

  There’s silence on the other end of the phone, confirming my fears.

  “It was sweetie. He wanted your number, he said he wants to see his son.”

  Well, fuck him. The only reason he knows Eli was a boy was because I text him when he was born and that has been it. There’s no way.

  “Oh no mum, what will I do?” The panic starts to build in me. I don't know how to deal with this. He has no right to come into Eli's life now, what was I thinking - coming back here? I hardly gave him any thought, what an idiot.

  “Don't worry love, dad is going to speak to you tomorrow at work, he’ll come and see you, he has a few idea
s.”

  How can I not worry? I'm not sharing him.

  I go to bed and toss and turn all night, even though I'm exhausted from my escapades with Jack. And Jack, oh my god. I can't even let myself go there at the minute. But this trip, it was heavenly. Maybe this is karma - Bobby showing up - I'm being punished for going away and having mind-blowing sex, pretending I didn't have any responsibilities. I should know better. It's me and Elijah against the world and that’s the way it's going to stay.

  *****

  I'm so tired for work the next morning, I am down so many hours sleep I can't even work it out. I do put my alarm on extra early so I can get ready before Eli wakes and then I can do him an extra special breakfast of bacon, beans, and hash browns - his favourite.

  I miss Jack, I miss having the contact with him, but on the other hand it's so nice having my Eli back, being back here. This place has become home to me quickly. Eli's dad is never far from my thoughts - wondering what the hell I'm going to do.

  I know nothing else can happen with Jack, Eli comes first and I have to deal with this. Besides, I know for sure that if dad found out about Jack, he would make things very awkward for him. I don't want that. I want him to be able to concentrate on his career without me screwing it up just because I want to get laid. No. It's for the best. I will leave Jack alone. I mean, he’s probably already decided that he’s done with me anyway, so it’s not a problem.

  I drop Eli off at school and then make my way to work. I have butterflies for two different reasons, one; I don't know how to act with Jack and two; I don't know what my dad’s going to tell me about Bobby. I know one thing, I have to pull up my big girl pants and contact him. See what his intentions are and what we can do about it. Why has seeing me suddenly wanted him to start being a dad? He’s had four years for that. I'm so divided about him not wanting anything to do with Eli - on one hand, I hate that he didn't want to know him, on the second hand I'm glad that he didn't, because it’s just been me and him and I’ve been perfectly happy that way and so has Eli - no failed meetings, no disappointments, no missed birthdays. Dependable, just how I like it to be for Eli, and myself for that matter.

  The more I settle into normal routine back home the more I think I must have lost my mind in Spain. It's so unlike me to throw caution to the wind and give the time of day to a player like Jack. What was I thinking? He’s no good for me or Elijah. But god, it was good . . . so good - and it was nice living on the wild side - even if it was only for a couple of days. Maybe it’s time I lived more, put myself out there more instead of hiding behind Elijah. Surely there’s a way that I can be the best mum I can be, but still have part of me that wants to have fun and be just me? This is a battle I’ve had for many years, the mum side always wins out. Jack’s persuasive personality got the better of me, just for a short time. I feel like I'm more fun when I'm with Jack. I like that he brings out that side of me. Why do I need to be so serious all the time?

  I walk into the coffee room and there he is. He smiles at me, winks and points down to the table where there’s a coffee waiting for me.

  “Morning Danish. Got you one.”

  I give him a weary smile, so relieved that things aren't going to be awkward but so so tired.

  He frowns. “You look like shit. What’s up?”

  I roll my eyes. “Thanks Jack. Just what every girl wants to hear.”

  He shakes his head. “Sorry that came out bad. Is everything OK? The little man OK?”

  I nod and smile softly. “Yeah he’s fine.” I hold my hand out for the coffee. “Gimme gimme, I need that.”

  He raises one eyebrow. “Up all night again?”

  I chuckle “No but couldn't sleep.”

  He leans in so no-one around will hear. “Aw . . . missing my chest to rest your head on, were you?”

  Would I have gotten sleep if he was there? Maybe . . . he does have a very nice chest.

  “No, just a few things on my mind. Nothing to worry about.”

  He stays close to me, hardly a gap between us and looks at me. He doesn't say anything, he just really looks at me. I feel like he’s trying to read my mind. Good luck with that Jack, it’s all scrambled today.

  He’s still stood that way when the door goes, I turn around, its dad. Oh great. This doesn't look dodgy at all.

  Dad frowns and looks between Jack and me. Jack walks back to his table and picks up his coffee, taking a gulp.

  “Mr Brinley. Lovely to have you here on this fine day.”

  Why is he always so chipper?

  “Jack. How are you?”

  “I'm good, ready for my first win.”

  Dad nods “Good, glad to hear that. We’ll be here watching, won't we Robyn?”

  I nod “Of course.”

  Dad looks at me. “Is there somewhere we can go for that chat?”

  We could go to my office where I’ve been working but Sophie is probably there. It’s a dry day. “Let's get you a cup of tea and we’ll go and have it outside.” There is a little area near the cafe and near the smoking area that just has a couple of tables and chairs.

  I grab him a tea and we get settled in the chairs outside, Jack disappeared to god knows where, which suits me fine when dad is around. Dad doesn't miss anything. There’s a reason why he’s so successful.

  “So what did Bobby say?”

  Dad sighs “He wanted your phone number, I think he thought you might be living with us. He didn't see Elijah. Your mum kept him busy in the playroom we've set up for him. Bobby didn't know that he was there.”

  Well, that’s a relief. “What did you tell him?”

  “That I’d talk to you, get you to contact him.”

  “I'm scared dad. What should I do?”

  “What do you know about this guy?”

  This is the embarrassing part - where you tell your dad that you know hardly anything about the guy that fathered your child. “Not much dad. We went on some dates, he seemed nice enough, but then I got pregnant and you know the rest - his true colours came out. He seemed like a nice guy until then. He’s a builder, bricklayer I think.” Which is probably what attracted me to him in the first place - he was doing some work in an office building where I worked. We got talking, every day a little more and more, then he asked me out. He seemed nice and he was hot - still is, I guess.

  Dad nods “I'm going to get an investigator - to look into him. We know that he’s definitely Elijah's dad, right?”

  I blush. “Of course, dad.”

  He carries on “Well then, if that’s the case and he wants to see him, there’s not much we can do about that. The way I look at it you have two options for this. You can either go through the court - where things could get messy and costly - meaning that if it doesn't mean enough to him, he’ll back down because he can't afford the fees, or you get to know him. Spend some time with him and see what kind of guy he is.”

  I think about it. I don't want Elijah to be involved in a court battle. That’s the last thing I want.

  I sigh “I think I like the second option better - I just can't bear the thought of sharing Elijah with anyone.”

  “I know honey, but you're going to have to keep an open mind about this - you must have thought this was an option when you came back here - that there was a possibility that you'd run into him again?”

  I shake my head. “That’s the problem and where he has me at a disadvantage - I didn't think about him much at all. I didn't think for one second he'd still live around here.”

  “Let me have a dig around on him, see what we find out OK?”

  I nod, “Thanks, dad. Give me his number, I’ll get in touch with him, I might be doing all this worrying and he might just be after your money or something and have no interest in seeing Elijah.”

  “If that’s the case then I'm sure we can come to some agreement.”

  I don't know if that makes dad sweet or sordid. “No, dad. He wants that he’s not getting it. Let's see how it goes.”

  He stands up to l
eave and turns back to me, “You look like you were getting on well with Jack, things go OK in Spain did they?”

  I get the undercurrent of what he’s asking - did anything happen.

  “He’s a nice guy dad, yes everything was fine in Spain.” Can you imagine if I told him what happened there? He'd have a heart attack and I have a feeling he’d be extremely disappointed in me.

  “Watch yourself there - he’s got quite the reputation.”

  I give him a reproachful look, “He’s fine and dad, you may not have noticed this yet, but I'm all grown up now, I can take care of myself.”

  In the light of our current conversation and that he’s helping me out by hiring a private investigator I feel stupid saying that last comment.

  I drink the last of the coffee and look at my phone. I guess I should phone Bobby. If I don't get it over with now, then I’ll be thinking about it all day and get myself all worked up thinking the worst.

  I punch the number dad gave me into my phone. He picks up first ring.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Bobby? Its Robyn. My dad said you called at the house, you wanted to speak to me?”

  “Hey, I'm so glad you called. I did. Will you meet me? For a chat, I want to talk to you.”

  I thought this might be coming. “Sure, what about Costa in the village?” It's public and always busy, and I can make a swift exit if I need to. Mum and dad will watch Eli - I’ll only be an hour tops.

  “That’s fine, shall we say seven?”

  “Can you make six?” I put Elijah to bed at eight - I want to be there for bedtime.