“Keeping our distance. She was here earlier and I spent the morning with her and Andrew.” Zachary chuckled. “She’s hotter in person and Troy was right, she definitely has a mouth on her.”
“Where is she now?” Brenton inquired softly.
“Andrew’s taking her home. She’s got to get ready for a night with the girls at Rocker’s,” Gabe laughed, waving Brenton over. Brenton didn’t move. “We’re going, by the way. To Rocker’s. I was thinking we would head out at ten, what do you say?”
“I can’t fucking believe you guys.” Brenton growled. “Simple rules, stay away from her, let Andrew bring her in to the fold.”
“Yeah, well, she’s never going to trust us if we never meet her,” Gabe pointed out astutely. “Plus, I like her. I think she’s wonderful and I’ve only had her for an afternoon.”
Zachary hissed at that. Had her? None of them have had her. And he liked her too, which irked him more. Andrew was already in deep on that front and Troy had made his interest obvious. Zachary suddenly felt Rocker’s was a terrible idea, since then Brenton would meet her and he would fall just like the rest of them. Brenton showed little emotion but he felt deeply. And she was going to pull on all his primal needs just like the rest of them had to deal with.
“We can’t all like her,” he growled at Gabe, who looked back to him.
“Why not?” Gabe shrugged. “You obviously didn’t smell I smelled in that kitchen.”
Brenton sat down with them and looked between them.
“What did you smell?” He gave in, and Zachary could tell he wanted information. Brenton lived off knowing all the facts.
“She finds us attractive. Every time one of us got too close, her scent changed from normal to aroused in seconds. It was wild.” Gabe was still grinning at both of them. “The game is on, guys!”
“There is no game,” Zachary growled viciously. “We’re not going to start fighting over her and Brenton might not even like her at all.”
“I don’t believe that and neither do you,” Gabe laughed. Brenton was silent, lost in thought.
“I think I’ll be the judge of who I like or don’t like,” Brenton groaned after a minute, shaking his head.
Andrew walked in, followed by Troy, who was grinning to his brother.
“You met her? Isn’t she something to look at?” Troy fell next to Gabe and Zachary resisted the urge to sigh. The brothers were all about the next conquest, irregardless of who that might be.
“Yeah, we going partying tonight too, just so we can see her,” Gabe elbowed Troy, who was stunned by that. “Wipe that look of your face, it’s happening. Rocker’s, ten o’clock, all five of us. She’ll be there with her little girlfriends, Haley and Phoebe.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” Brenton growled. “Maybe we should just let her live a normal life and be around without alcohol getting in the mix.”
“Unacceptable,” Troy laughed. “I need to see if she loosens up with a couple drinks or if she’s always a prickly punk monster.”
Fuck. Zachary couldn’t listen to this anymore. He didn’t want to think of her alone in Andrew’s truck or dancing strange guys. Or…
“She hooks up with tourists at the bars,” he hissed. “We’re going to have to watch pick out a guy and take him home.”
They all stopped talking and looked at him. None of them seem okay with that except Brenton, who only shrugged.
“It’s her life, Zachary, not ours. On top of that, we’ve all done it here.” He was mild and easy going about it. Zachary hated it.
“We could try and be that guy.” Gabe finally chuckled.
“No.” All of them snapped at him, causing him to sigh in defeat.
“Looks like tonight is going to be something else,” Andrew groaned. Zachary knew he hadn’t been thinking about Riley’s sexual habits when he invited all of them out to the bar. He looked like he was regretting it more by the minute.
“Yeah,” Brenton chuckled at their misery. “Looks like we found a woman who finally puts all of you in your place. If you can’t handle her handle one night stands, then don’t have them yourselves. It’s a double standard I won’t tolerate here.”
“Fuck you,” Zachary growled.
Zachary was only mad because Brenton was right.
RILEY
Riley smiled at her in the tight and tiny black dress with a built in corset. She paired it with space leggings since it was still January in Colorado and sexy black boots that went to her knees with three inch heels. She was nearly five and half feet tall now and that was great. She had her wavy golden blonde hair down and was impressed by how the dark streaks stood out in the right light and blended in with other lights. She did her makeup conservatively since she didn’t want to look like a hooker and spun in the mirror, happy with herself. She even wore an old, thrift store leather jacket with band patches all over it.
Haley would be there any minute and it was time to do. She fed Star at seven and the cat was passed out on the bed over some shirt Riley had left out. She locked her front door and headed to the sidewalk, right on time. Haley was pulling up already, grinning. Phoebe was in the center seat, waiting on Riley to jump in.
“I got a cat today,” Riley announced as she climbed into the red pickup truck. “Adopted her from the animal shelter.”
“What?” Haley sputtered at her. “How did you do that?”
“Andrew gave me a ride all morning to get everything I need done, like picking up my paycheck, going to the bank. Then we hit the pet supply store and the animal shelter.” Riley grinned. Haley was stuck in disapproving disbelief but Phoebe was on her side.
“Go girl!” She hugged Riley around the shoulder. “Get those cute boys!”
“Then I had lunch at their place, with Andrew, Gabe, and Zachary,” Riley watched their faces as they tried to comprehend that. “And Zachary actually tagged along with Andrew and I all morning. Forgot about that.”
“Riley, you can’t do this,” Haley hissed. “These guys are infamous. They don’t have friends outside their little circle and they only are trying to get a chick’s pants if they hang with her.”
“Andrew seems genuinely nice,” Riley shrugged. She could admit it. They were getting to her in that ‘let’s be best friends’ kind of way. “And Zachary… well, yeah he’s a bit of a grumpy prick but he likes animals so he can’t be that bad.”
“Riley…” Haley sighed. “I should have known you would fall for them. You didn’t grow up here, hearing about them or seeing them. My older sister really liked Brenton and got with her when they both like seventeen. Then he just up and left her hanging, gave her the serious cold shoulder. It was cruel.”
“I’m not looking to sleep with any of them. I haven’t even met Brenton.” Yet. Riley hadn’t met Brenton yet but she knew they would all be at Rocker’s tonight at some point. “Plus, they are going be here tonight.”
Haley slammed on the brakes, sending Phoebe and Riley nearing into the dash board. Both of them glared at Haley, who stared at the red light in front of them.
“Why?” Haley looked to Riley, expecting an answer.
“I had to get Andrew to take me home so I could get ready. He wanted to know why. Then he invited the entire gang of them.” Riley tried to make it sound casual but she had a feeling nothing about this was casual.
“They don’t hang with the tourists,” Phoebe was wide-eyed. “They never hung out with the tourists and Rocker’s is huge a tourist bar during this season.”
“Well, they said they would be there…” Riley shrugged. “Doesn’t change my plans for the evening. Cute tourist, hotel room, let’s do it.”
“Sure…” Haley dragged the word out and it was dripping with sarcasm.
They made it to Rocker’s by nine thirty and didn’t pay the door fee since they were women and locals. Everyone else shelled out five bucks to get in during the winter since tourists were flooding the town to hit up the resorts in nearby towns.
Inside, a
live band was starting out the night strong. It was a few guys who grew up in Wild Junction and they played covers in Rocker’s every Friday and Saturday. They would be done by eleven and then a DJ would take over. They found a table and dropped purses. Riley moved quickly to the bar, ready to get this party started.
“I’ll take a Jäger Bomb,” Riley grinned at the bartender, who smiled back at her. “Make that three, one of each of us.” She gestured to her girls, who were both just as ready.
“This is my only drink girl, I’ve got to DD, remember?” Haley laughed. “For myself at least since you two never seem to leave with me.”
Phoebe giggled and waved at a cute guy down the bar that Riley had also seen. He was sweet, a real country boy who looked a little out of his element. On another night, Riley would have been all about it but tonight he seemed too young, not tall enough, not masculine enough. Not one of those hot men she’d spent the afternoon with.
She couldn’t keep those thoughts up all night, they would get her into trouble.
Three drinks and shots showed up in front of them and they each grabbed one.
“To fun nights!” Riley laughed and clinked glasses. Together, they all dropped in the Jäger shots their red bull and tossed back the entire drink. Riley was done first, but she loved a good Jäger Bomb. Phoebe and Haley were both coughing a little when it was done and Riley rolled here eyes. It wasn’t even drink that left a burn.
She looked to the crowd dancing for the band and smiled. Grabbing Haley and Phoebe’s hands, she pulled them in to dance. They did it every time, all starting together and then finding others to dance with as the night went on.
Riley moved with the music, grinding herself into Haley, who placed her hands on Riley’s hips. They moved together easily, sensually, making it a show as Phoebe stepped in front of Riley and began moving with them.
For quite a long time, they rocked together, throwing the arms in the air as they partied. At one point, Phoebe’s hands found their way to Riley’s ass, pulling them even closer together. Phoebe was wild. Finally, someone asked to cute in and Phoebe found herself a dance partner. A really nice one at that, though he didn’t hold a candle to any of the Kingson Estate guys. There she went again, comparing the tourists to them…
Haley abandoned her to a guy and left the dance floor. She was married and didn’t dance with random guys. Jeff was fine with her coming out if she didn’t let guys think she was available. She wore a wedding ring but men had a tendency to ignore it. So did a lot of women, Riley laughed internally as she danced with the cute guy. He was alright at it but he lost the beat a little too often for Riley to really enjoy it.
She didn’t know how long she was on the floor when she finally decided she needed another drink. Cute dance partner got one for her as she went to sit with Haley. Phoebe was still lost in the mess of bodies on the dance floor. Rocker’s wasn’t like this in the off season, being a more quiet to relax. But winter season was tourist season and every bar and hotel in town was packed.
She sipped on the mixed drink, one of those dangerous ones where there was so much alcohol you couldn’t taste it. Then she saw them walk in.
Troy and Gabe were in the front, both laughing about something. They were followed by Andrew, who was rolling his eyes. Zachary came in last and Riley couldn’t see the guy behind him very well. He must have been Brenton. They found a booth together, but the crowd made it hard for her to track them across the bar.
“You going to go say hi to them?” Haley asked her quietly as her cute dance partner waited to see if she wanted to continue.
“No, I’m going to dance,” Riley laughed. “If they want to see me, they can come find me.” She grabbed the guy’s hand and pulled him back to the floor, giving a seductive smile. He was hers at that moment. If she wanted him, they would be going home together.
But it was much too early for that.
They danced for nearly an hour before someone screamed shots over the room. Riley found herself pounding them back like the best of them. When she finally got back on the floor, it was nearly midnight and the world spun a little as she danced. Phoebe was gone, having found her new weekend boy toy. They wouldn’t be seeing her again until work.
Riley danced with anyone who wanted to, losing her cute partner somewhere after taking shots. Finally a large hand wrapped around her waist and she smiled back at the newcomer.
He had brown hair that was short and in complete disarray from the party in the bar. He was way taller then her, though she couldn’t pinpoint his specific height while they danced. His eyes were what hit her though. Gold. She had to be seeing things, there was no way he had gold eyes. They were a little glazed. He had also had a bit too much to drink.
He was a stunning dancer, smooth, grinding into her. He held her close and turned her to completely face and she was suddenly a little nervous underneath all the alcohol. She wrapped her arms around his his massive shoulders, pulling him down so she could place her head on his chest and they moved together. His hands roamed but stayed respectful, not quite hitting her ass, instead moving on her waist and thighs.
He wrapped an arm completely around her and pulled her tight against him. He was hard and she gasped at the feeling of his erection on her stomach.
“Hey, Brenton, you find her?” A voice called out, making her dance partner snap to attention to see who was talking to him.
Brenton. Oh shit. Her dance partner with the massive hard on was her boss’ friend. Was Gabe, Troy, and Zachary’s last roommate. She stumbled back a little and he looked back down at her, offering a hand. She turned away, intending to walk off before she embarrassed herself more and saw Troy grinning at them. He winked and she stumbled back, this time into Brenton, who caught her. He lead her off the dance floor to their booth, not her table with Haley. Brenton stayed quiet and so did she while Troy laughed at them.
Eventually, Brenton placed her in the booth and forced her to scoot into Andrew so he could also sit. She was squished between the two of them all of a sudden, blushing furiously but she was convinced the heat was just from the dancing and alcohol. She was much too small for how much she had to drink.
“Hi guys,” she squeaked.
“I see you met Brenton,” Andrew smiled down at her and she watched him nurse a beer.
“Um yeah.” She stuttered and Brenton snorted.
“We didn’t really get to introductions,” he shrugged.
“That sounds incredibly inappropriate, Brenton,” Troy laughed, wiggling his eyebrows.
“We were dancing,” Riley mumbled. “I didn’t know he was… well, him.” She gestured to Brenton, who grabbed the hand she was swinging in front of him. He looked at the cat silhouette she had tattooed on her wrist, curious and a little… aroused. It was the first of the five tattoos she had, she got it the day she turned eighteen and she wasn’t really sure how she felt with him being aroused at her ink.
“Brenton is normally a completely in stick in the mud,” Gabe chuckled from across the booth. “But alcohol loosens him up big time. The fact that he danced with you says it all. Right guys?”
They all laughed except Riley and Brenton. Riley was still trying to take her hand back from Brenton, who just held it and glared at Gabe.
“I’m not sure why we’re even here. I’m getting another drink.” He growled, finally releasing her and leaving the table. Zachary was staring at her like she did something and she began to try and leave.
“I think I’m going to go back to Haley,” she mumbled.
Troy blocked her path, wrapping an arm around her waist and bent down to her ear.
“Dance with me next?” His whisper made dancing sound like they were going to fuck on the dance floor. Hell, she needed to find any other guy in the bar, because any of these five were off limits. Too bad no one in the bar was as hot as them.
“Look, I can’t do this,” she laughed, a little too drunk. Her words were slurred. “I’m here to have a good time with my girls and none of
you are options for on how to end the night.”
“Why aren’t are we options?” Troy whispered sensually. “I want to be.”
Oh God.
“You know, Troy,” Riley patted his chest. “Let’s, um, try friends first. How’s that sound?” She didn’t do male friends but that seemed like a better option then whatever happening now.
“Who says we want you to be a friend?” Brenton’s voice traveled over her and she bit back a growl. Troy let her go and she saw him glaring at Brenton. Along with everyone at the table. “I mean, really?” His voice was one of those that screamed ‘I’m better then you in every way.’ He was all money, all dominant. He always got his way and his voice commanded that from those around him.
Fuck that.
“Well, fuck you too,” she snapped. She stormed away from them, ignoring the calls for her to stop. She made it to the bar and sat down ignoring anyone who walked up to her. What the hell was his problem? They just had a great time on the dance floor and now he was a prick? She wasn’t some whore they could use and mess around with then toss away.She fucking lived in this town. This was exactly why she only hooked up with tourists. She tossed them away first.
“A double, strongest shit you have,” She told the bartender.
When it was in front of her, she could see one of the guys out of the corner of her eye. He was ordering a beer. She ignored him and took the shot in one try and immediately ordered another one.
Fucking assholes. Fuck Brenton. Fuck him, his hard on and his dancing skills. Fuck the entire lot of them for hanging around her like she was some charity case. Fuck them for buying Star’s stuff. Okay, that was actually nice of them. That just made her madder.
“Fuck,” she snarled, taking the second double down. Ten minutes later, she tried to stand up from her bar stool and listed hard to the right into someone.
“Woah there,” a velvety, kind voice touched her ears and she sighed. Andrew. “Let’s get you home.”
Wild Pride (The Kingson Pride Book 1) Page 7