Scrap Metal (Midwest Kisses Book 1)

by Jennah Scott

  “Wow. Threw it away after a day? Or did he even let it show at all?”

  “Eric lied, Angel. That piece of shit, nasty ass mother fu—”

  Angel threw herself against him with a closed mouth kiss. The force of her body on his made him swell immediately, his heart pounded faster and harder than ever, he was going to die from a simple kiss. A kiss from his Angel when he thought he’d never feel it again.

  “Ahem. Well excuse me.” An old lady wobbled past with her cane, moving to the staircase that would lead to the second floor, her eyes roaming his and Angel’s bodies with disapproval.

  Angel pulled back immediately, pushing Ryker away, tears leaving rivers down her cheeks. “Please leave.” She whispered and opened the door to her studio again.

  Ryker stopped it, pushing against the top of the door with his palm. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? Angel, it was a lie. Eric made it up just to blackmail you into making him a piece.”

  Her eyes were wide, tears flowing without any restraint. “Why would you say something like that?”

  “Because it’s true. I talked to Trey about it. He kicked Eric out of the partnership that night because of what he did to you. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  She took a step back, bracing herself on the door, one hand over her heart. Softly, realization hit her. “All this time,” she said more to herself than to him.

  He gave her a second to let it soak in. “So. How about we move this inside and talk about fixing this leaving thing you’re wanting to do.”

  With a sweep of the floor with her eyes, she finally looked back up at him. “You should probably still leave.”

  Shocked and confused, Ryker felt his face go numb. He was so sure all he had to do was tell her the truth of what happened to fix things. “But the kiss?”

  “Was to stop you from cursing like a sailor in front of Mrs. Kozulski. Don’t shame yourself the way I have; this is your town, let them see only the good in you, Ryke.”

  “Dammit, no, Angel.” Ryker had had enough of the games. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  With a growl, he threw open the door and pulled the throne inside with him.

  Angel stood with her back to the door. Ryke bullied his way into her safe haven. She’d kissed him. As if she hadn’t made enough mistakes, she went and kissed him. Oh and the electricity pulsing between them with one kiss. Angel had to leave. That kiss couldn’t be the reason she stayed.

  Ryke said it was all a lie, though. He’d been right about Eric. He manipulated her, led her to believe he could hurt her. But Eric was weak, his threats empty.

  Angel’s feet moved toward him, her body doing what her mind demanded couldn’t happen. Thankfully, he was busy removing the plastic from her throne and situating it in the perfect spot against the wall. Angel took those few seconds to get her mind and body working together.

  Lies or not, they wouldn’t work. Ryke wouldn’t trust her to be the woman he needed her to be.

  “I know you’re walking toward me, Angel. You’re mine, remember. I know where you are at all times when we’re together.” Ryke spoke to her without turning around. “Right now you’re telling yourself we can’t happen. But that’s not true and you know it. We can happen. If you want it, we will happen. I’ll beg if I have to.”

  “Don’t give me hope, Ryke. I can’t take it. It wasn’t a lie or ruse when I told you I loved you. I always will. In the short time we’ve known each other you’ve broken down every wall I put up. You worked your way into my heart and it crushes me to leave. You and Ray, you’re everything to me. If I stay, then I ruin all that we’ve worked for. This way the three of us can remain friends and eventually all mend our broken hearts.”

  Ryke turned around to her with a smile as wide as she’d ever seen. “Oh, sweetheart. If I hadn’t loved you before I sure as hell would now. You don’t see any of this, do you? Ray doesn’t want you to leave. I’m willing to beg for you to stay. I love you. Do you hear me? I. Love. You. This throne is ours. Trey sold everything else. He has a check for you, wants to make you a permanent artist for the studio and there’s a list of people that want to commission your work. Everything with Eric? All of that was a lie. I can tell you everything if you want. But none of that matters.”

  “Please don’t tell me this to get to me to stay.”

  His lips met hers in a kiss that took Angel’s breath away. But she didn’t pull away. If she lost his touch, their connection, she’d lose her soul. Ryke was right, she had to stay. This was her decision. Ryke pulled away, his hands ran down her arms and he laced their fingers together.

  “Never. I want you. I need you. But you have to decide to stay. This is our throne. We say who can rule our lives. No one else. You and me. It belongs to you. So tell me, Angel. You’re the queen. Am I allowed in your kingdom or will you shun me?”

  Angel took a moment to think over what he was saying. He had started this project. His metal and his inspiration flowed through her to create it. How could she let that go?

  When everything else in her life had gone wrong, Angel ran as fast as she could. Looking at Ryker, hearing him say he’d beg for her, knowing Ray wanted her to stay—the fact that her own heart and mind were screaming at her to stop taking flight. It all made her decision abundantly clear. Where else could she go and ever hope to be as complete as she’d been in Kimmswick with Ryker?

  “Be my king. Please, Ryke.”

  “Anything, Angel. Mine. Always mine.”

  The End

  Get a sneak peek at

  Finding Her Dream (Midwest Kisses #2)

  By Jennah Scott

  Available now!

  Chapter One

  James sat at the bar, finishing off his first beer of the night. Some song about another shot of

  Patrón and spending all night in the bar played throughout the local dive. He let go of a long sigh. It’d been a long, damn day. One he wanted to put behind him. The first guilt trip to move back home came from his dad. By noon, his sister and brother had called as well. He should be used to their calls by now, a bit over six months after moving from Kentucky to the small town of Kimmswick, Missouri. But he wasn’t. One of those times when a close-knit family turned into more of a pain in the ass than a comfort. He had to get out of there. He missed connecting with the horses. Breeding and training racehorses had become redundant, and the love he’d once had was slipping away.

  So he left. Now his family called regularly to remind him how much they could use his help. His sister, Shayla, liked to add in how good of a trainer he was. John always pointed out how much more time being single allowed him. Both of his siblings had kids and a family. Not James.

  Every time his dad called, he threw in a list of people who requested James’s expertise in breeding. They all checked on him, asked how he was doing. How he liked the new place—still new after six months, according to them. They made the conversation seem innocent. One family member checking on another. James didn’t miss the hints dropped or the jokes that were thinly veiled attempts at guilt.

  He swallowed another drink of dark amber beer. The local brew had quickly become one of his favorites. The bar, a second favorite. It was tiny, just like the town. Everyone knew everyone. Laughter from the front door pulled him from his pity party. James turned to see whose laughter sounded like wind chimes on a warm spring night. He sucked in a deep breath and pounded his chest to get his heart beating again. Blonde hair fell over her shoulders. Shorts, not a skirt, showed off her legs. Her cowboy boots were broken in, but perfect for the outfit. By the time his heart came back on line, the group had broken off into two directions, one of the women went to find a seat while the blonde headed to the bar. With a man. Just his luck. But he couldn’t keep his eyes off the way she sauntered up to the bar, her hips wiggling just enough to draw his attention. As he watched her order, he noticed the man had his sights set on the other woman they’d arrived with. She had spiky black hair, piercings, and tattoos. Maybe his day wasn’t doomed
after all. The dark haired one wasn’t his type. But the blonde...the cute, innocence of her face contrasted with the sexy short shorts and flannel shirt tied at her waist. She was exactly his type. She looked up and down the patrons, stopping at him. James couldn’t pry himself away from her gaze. He winked and she grinned before offering him a finger wave. A little vixen. “Hi.” Her cute, kissable mouth formed the word. “Hey, sugar,” he replied, garnering the attention of the guy standing at her side. The other man glanced down the bar at him and cocked an eyebrow. Did they know each other? James didn’t think so, but he wasn’t very good at names or faces, so it was possible.

  James broke their connection, turning to signal the bartender for another round. As he tipped back the bottle, a warm, soft touch landed against his neck. “Save me a dance, cowboy,” the sweet words whispered in his ear.

  Oh, he’d save her a dance all right. More than one if she’d let him. The space in his jeans became a whole lot smaller as she slid her hand away from his skin, leaving a burning sensation behind.

  Her long hair flowed past her shoulders, brushing across her back, teasing, tempting. James wanted to feel the locks slip between his fingers.

  She joined the man and woman who’d come in with her at their table, hips swaying to the upbeat song. His gaze traveled down her tan legs to the tops of her red boots and he smiled when he caught her toe tapping to the steady beat of the song. She started begging people to dance with her, but everyone shook their heads. She tossed him a pleading look over her shoulder and gave a mock frown. Unable sit still any longer, he jumped at the chance.

  “Looks like someone needs a dancing partner. May I?”

  She turned to face him, her inspection started at his chest and moved upward, slowly. Her lips tipped up in a smile. Gorgeous, blue eyes captured his attention once again. No one had ever caught him in their web with nothing more than a couple of looks.

  “You certainly may.” She smiled, and if he hadn’t been watching, he’d have missed the way she cocked her brow when she looked at the spiky haired girl behind her as they headed to the floor. James wondered what her reaction was all about. Surely, she wasn’t surprised someone had asked her to dance. As cute and sexy as she was, he’d moved quickly so no one else could answer her plea.

  When they were out of earshot from the table, her demeanor switched, any hesitation or formality gone in a flash. “Hurry up. I don’t want to miss this one.”

  She grabbed his hand and yanked him out onto the small dance floor midway through a song talking about shakin’ it. James swung her around, bringing her to a stop with her back pressed against his chest. Her tight rear end pushed into his hardening erection, and James shifted to the side. No way would he run her off because of his body’s instinct. Despite her clothes and free spirited show, the moment he’d locked eyes with her James knew she was nothing like the portrait on the outside. The woman was beautiful, but she wasn’t experienced. Not the naughty cowgirl she tried to play off.

  “My name’s RayAnne, by the way,” she murmured as she lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck.

  James gritted his teeth and begged his body not to betray him. It took every ounce of energy he had to keep his hands around her waist rather than moving them to her breasts. Plump and full, begging for his attention. But now, inside the crowded bar, was not the time or place. He hadn’t even told her his name. He was about to, but she rambled on.

  “You’re new here.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Moved into town a few months ago. I’ve got a ranch outside city limits.”

  “Like a cattle ranch?” She twisted in his arms, turning so they faced each other. Her head tilted back.

  “No cattle for me. Actually, I breed and train horses.” RayAnne may have been acting, but she was damn good at it. She rocked her hips into his groin, rubbing against his cock. “Sugar, unless you want to take this beyond dancing, I’d suggest you not do that again.” She gasped and jerked back. Shit. He’d done exactly what he hadn’t wanted to. Scared her.

  Color fled RayAnne’s face when she glanced over his shoulder. He felt her hands trembling against his waist where she’d grabbed hold of him. “RayAnne?”

  “Sorry.” Rather than shy away from him, she took a deliberate step back and squared her shoulders before storming past him in the direction of the door.

  James scrambled after her, unsure of who—or what—caught her attention.

  He stopped a few feet from where RayAnne stood toe-to-toe with the bartender. Her cheeks no longer pale, but instead glowed bright red as she shook her finger at the other woman’s chest.

  “Don’t you look at me like I’ve sinned ten times over,” RayAnne demanded. “I saw you shake your head and whisper to her.” RayAnne pointed to her left where the second half of the gossiping pair sat.

  “Hey, I’m not the one out on the floor dancing like a hussy. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, RayAnne Hill.” the bartender replied.

  “What you saw is none of your business. I’m here to have fun. I’m not a hussy just because I danced like that or stepped out of my comfort zone and talked to new people. It’s called living a little.”

  James’s jaw dropped, as did everyone else’s who sat nearby observing the exchange. He never would have guessed the little woman had it in her. With a cautious step, he moved forward, ready to pull her away from the bartender, but her friend with the short, dark hair stepped between them first. The two women walked back to their booth. He was too far a way to hear what the friends were saying, but considering the way hands flew through the air and RayAnne laid her head on the table, he decided to back off and reclaimed his seat rather than join her.

  A while later, the dark haired woman and man stood from the booth, hand in hand and walked away, leaving RayAnne by herself. It was then he recognized the man who had come in with RayAnne. Ryke. The body shop owner he’d dropped his truck off with early that day.

  When the couple passed him, James called out, “Ryke.” The guy didn’t stop, but he turned back and lowered his chin a fraction of an inch. James took the motion as approval to talk to RayAnne and left his stool.

  “RayAnne.” He waited for her to acknowledge him, unwilling to risk spooking her again.

  “Yeah?” She lifted her head off her arms.

  “I wanted to apologize for what I said while we were dancing. I didn’t mean to run you off.” Her brow furrowed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I wouldn’t have done anything you weren’t comfortable with.” He waited for her to respond. When she didn’t and he couldn’t stand the silence any longer, he added, “For what it’s worth, the bartender was wrong. She shouldn’t have said those things about you.”

  “Maybe not, but it’s a small town. I’ve not been known for being bold or anything like that. I guess I should have expected her reaction. Teach me to go out and have a little fun.”

  James couldn’t stand to see the defeated look on her face. The light he’d seen in her eyes had faded to a dull flicker. He sat in the seat across from her. When he reached for her hand, she pulled back. “RayAnne, you’re beautiful, and from what I’ve seen, a lot of fun. Don’t let one person discourage you. You came out to have fun tonight. If you did that, then call it a success. I know I had fun.”

  RayAnne sat up straight. “You’re right. I did have fun. Thank you for the dance. I’m going to get some fresh air.”

  Her smile, however weak, as she stood wasn’t enough to ease his worries, but it was a start. The vixen that walked through the doors a little while ago caught his attention, but it was the sweet woman in front of him who made him want to know more.

  When he left his house earlier that evening and headed for the bar, he’d been in search of stress relief. One dance, one interaction with RayAnne, and James found more than stress relief. He found a woman who made him forget the guilt from his family.

  Acknowledgements

  Scrap Metal started as a seven thousand-word attempt to
write something Alexi had never written before. Which is where sharing a brain with Jennah came in really handy. Every good story is made of spice and nice - and Jennah can bring the spice like nobody’s business. It didn’t take long for them to realize they wanted to develop a deeper story and work together to finish it off! One month later, Scrap Metal was ready to be sent out to publishers. Of course, they had some help. Janette Derucki and Rhonda Valentino whose love for reading and honesty helped even in the beginning rounds of writing.

  Their wonderful husbands, Jess and Shaun who didn’t complain while those two crazy chicks went on and on over phone calls and text messages and late night re-writes that made all the writing and plotting possible.

  The family that never gave up; Abby, Jenny, Karen and Scott.

  And the furry creatures that keep them warm: Carly, Mr. Kitty, Shianne and Stella.

  Other Titles by Jennah Scott

  Finding Her Dream (Midwest Kisses #2)

  Burning in Tennessee (Tennessee Flames #1)

  The Beginning (Kaarina’s Secret #1)

  The Discovery (Kaarina’s Secret #2)

  Evan’s Luck (Riding the Series #1)

  One Night Ride

  The Devil’s Bond

  Saving Sultan

  Unexpected Vacation

  Making His Mark

  Plaisir

  Worth the Trouble

  Other Titles by Alexi Raymond

  Siren’s Song (Banshee Exodus #1)

  Make Me Safe

  Epic Force

  About the Authors

  Jennah Scott resides in Missouri. Until she started writing she didn’t know what she wanted to be. So she ended up with degrees in education, business, and the medical field. When not writing she can be found on Twitter, hanging out with family, or lost in a book.