Thrown: Studs in Spurs, Book 6

by Cat Johnson

  There were too many things for Skeeter to remember and he was in too much pain to try. At least this pose had a more masculine name than the dog one had, and it didn’t require bending over, which was a good thing. It still didn’t make them look any less silly.

  “And warrior two.” Chase went on, unperturbed by the grumbling and groaning around him. “And deepen the pose.”

  He went through the motions smoothly as Skeeter’s main focus was on trying not to fall over.

  “I thought we were going to do cardio and calisthenics and stuff.”

  “Oh, we are,” Chase answered Aaron’s breathless question. “We have a three-mile run tomorrow at five.”

  “Five at night?” Garret asked hopefully.

  “No, knucklehead. We meet outside at five a.m. to stretch before the run. We’ll do the cardio and strength-building exercises after that, get done and we can still get the morning chores finished before the heat of the day hits. Then we get in some practice on the bulls in the afternoon and yoga again in the evening.”

  Skeeter groaned. This was going to be a long week.

  Chapter Thirteen

  After dinner, when Skeeter and the rest sat around the kitchen table too full of Sage’s excellent empanadas to move, Silver got up. She walked across the living room and Skeeter held his breath, hoping she didn’t sit on the sofa that had so many emotional memories for Riley. But she didn’t. Silver sat down at the piano instead

  Breathing in relief, he vowed to tell the others privately what the deal was with the sofa when Riley wasn’t around to hear.

  Silver played a few notes and glanced over her shoulder. “This is a nice instrument.”

  Riley cringed as the notes filled the air. “It’s probably really out of tune. Nobody’s played it in years.”

  “Eh, it’s a little out but not too bad. No worse than the one in my music room at school. This is a beautiful piece though. You don’t see many Wurlitzers around.”

  “Thanks. It was my grandmother’s.” Riley smiled. “She used to play carols on it every Christmas.”

  Laying both hands on the keyboard, Silver began to play. Something classical, which was a surprise considering the woman played bar gigs with a band in North Carolina and rode a Harley. Then again, she was also a middle school music teacher so that could account for the musical choice now.

  Riley got up and walked over to stand near the piano. “That’s beautiful.”

  Silver smiled up at her. “Thanks.”

  The music was nice, but what was beautiful in this room was Riley, finally looking relaxed and well rested. Laughing during dinner when they told everyone about Chase’s yoga class. Eating a full plate of food. She even had a beer with them, though Skeeter noticed she’d only drunk half.

  “Yeah, that’s it. Good old Silver. If Riley gets to be friends with my sister, I’m a shoo in with her.”

  At Aaron’s words, Skeeter turned to him, brows low in an unhappy frown. He was going to have to do something about this situation with Aaron and his sudden interest in Riley. He’d have to say something to somebody. To who and what remained to be seen. Should he confess his interest in Riley to Aaron? Bring up his concerns to Riley herself, though that seemed kind of premature? He had no claim on her. Maybe he should ask Garret, or hell, even ask Silver to keep her brother away from Riley.

  He’d have to think on that. He caught a glimpse of Garret’s expression as he watched his new wife play the piano. Skeeter knew how Garret felt. He felt that way too being around Riley. Content to simply be near her, though at the same time restless to not be closer.

  Memories of his holding her last night as she fell asleep and how he’d stayed much longer than he’d needed to just enjoy her pressed up against him had his heart clenching. Yeah, there was no freaking way Skeeter could handle losing her to Aaron. He’d take care of this right now.

  “Aaron. Can I talk to you outside for a sec?”

  “Uh, yeah. Sure.” Aaron pushed his chair back from the crowded table and led the way out the screen door onto the porch. “What’s up?”

  “I need to talk to you about Riley.”

  Aaron let out a huff. “I’m not going to take advantage of her in her grief. I promise.”

  “That’s not it. I like her. In fact, I like her a lot.”

  “Oh my God. You, Mr. Virgin, have a crush on Riley?” Aaron spoke in a voice much too loud considering what they were discussing.

  “Jeez, Aaron. Shut the hell up.”

  “Wow. I had no idea you were interested in Riley. I mean you were messing around with that girl in our room after the event just last week.”

  “You brought her and her friend back to the room, not me.” Skeeter scowled. “And that was nothing between me and her and you know it.”

  “Didn’t sound like nothing to me. I heard the distinct sounds of two people getting it on.”

  Skeeter closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath through his nose, trying to contain his anger at both Aaron for being an ass and at himself for letting anything happen that night. “I’m done talking here. Just keep away from her.”

  “Keep away from her? Is that a warning? Pretty hard since I’m staying in her house, don’t you think?”

  This was as close to a fight as he’d ever had with Aaron. That hadn’t been Skeeter’s intent. “No. It’s a request. And you know what I mean. Please, Aaron. I want to see where things could go with her.”

  “Yeah, I heard you.” Aaron crossed his arms. “But here’s a warning for you. If for any reason Riley decides she prefers me over you, I’m sure as shit not gonna dissuade her. You agree?”

  If that were to happen there’d be nothing Skeeter could do about it anyway. “Fine.”

  “All right.” Aaron nodded then broke into a smile. “I hope you do get her.”

  His friend’s quick change was enough to give Skeeter whiplash. “What?”

  “If I’m going to give up trying for a hot-as-hell girl who also just inherited the best bucking bulls on the circuit, I hope it’s at least so my best friend can get laid.”

  “Jesus, Aaron,” Skeeter hissed and glanced at the door…and holy shit, there stood Riley. Seeing her and the pain on her face was like a knife to his heart. Their eyes met just before she turned. “Riley—shit, Aaron. She heard you say that.”

  Skeeter didn’t have time to deal with Aaron now. Riley had heard God only knew how much of their conversation. As he tried to remember exactly how bad the things they were saying had been, he pushed through the screen door.

  “Where’d Riley go?” Breathless, Skeeter asked the guys still sitting at the kitchen table.

  Slade hooked a thumb behind him in the direction of the hallway leading to her bedroom. “She just went that way.”

  “Thanks.” Skeeter tried not to sprint after her. It would raise questions he didn’t want to answer. Still, he strode as fast as he could, not stopping until he reached her closed door. He raised a fist and knocked softly. “Riley.”

  She didn’t answer. Crap. What the hell had they said outside? He couldn’t think, forget about review the exact words spoken between him and Aaron and gage how bad they must have sounded to Riley.

  “Riley, I’m coming in.” He held his breath and reached for the knob. It turned in his hand and he thanked God for small favors. Slowly, he pushed the door open and peeked around it. She stood facing him, her arms crossed. The expression on her face, part hurt, part anger, let him know how upset she was.

  She didn’t speak, but he wasn’t sure that was a good thing.

  “Can I explain?”

  “I don’t know. Can you?” Her tone was hard, but he guessed he deserved it.

  She’d asked a good question. Now that he had the opportunity, he didn’t know what to say. “I’m not sure how much you heard—”

  “I can tell you that. I heard you had a girl in your hotel room after that last event and now your buddy is wishing you luck in getting me into bed too.” She shook her head. “I shoul
d have listened to my father. He said all bull riders are the same. Too bad I didn’t believe him.”

  “Riley, listen to me. I’m gonna speak plain and truthful, and you might not like some of it, but here it is. After that last event I would have been happy to just be alone. But Aaron brought these two girls back to the hotel room. Then he starts fooling around with one of ’em in his bed. What was I supposed to do?”

  “Of course. What else could you do? Might as well join in on the fun. Though you should be used to it, I guess, because I’m sure that happens a lot. You bringing girls back to your hotel room.” The tone in her voice told him he was losing ground here.

  “No, it doesn’t happen a lot. It doesn’t happen at all. Maybe for some of the other guys, but not with me.”

  She didn’t look very convinced as her eyes flashed with anger. “So go on. Aaron is fooling around in the other bed and you what? Played tic-tac-toe with the other girl? What?”

  “We kissed, and a little bit more.” At Riley’s snort, Skeeter rushed to add, “But I did not have sex with her. Riley, my hand to God that didn’t happen.”

  “Why not? She wouldn’t do it with you?”

  Wow, was she pissed. It may or may not help, but he was going to tell her the truth. “That’s not why. She wanted to, but I didn’t.”

  Her brows shot up. “Oh, really. And why not? I thought all men want to do is get laid, as Aaron put it. Right?”

  Things were going from bad to worse. This was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever said in his life, but he wanted—needed—her to know the truth. It might be his only hope of convincing her he wasn’t at all like the picture she now had of him, in spite of his lapse in judgment that night.

  “I didn’t because I want my first time to be with someone special. Somebody who means something to me.”

  Riley’s eyes softened. “Your first time?”

  “Yeah.” Skeeter stared at the ceiling and shook his head. “You can make fun of me now. Aaron does.”

  She surprised him when she took a step forward and reached out to touch his arm. “I’m not going to make fun.”

  He brought his gaze back down to meet hers. “You’re not?”

  “Nope.” She took another step closer and stood on tiptoe.

  Riley pressed her lips to his. Skeeter slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her tighter against him. She angled her head and the kiss deepened. He moved one hand to cup the back of her head and worked her mouth harder until he had to break away long enough to catch his breath.

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “I thought you were mad at me.”

  “I am.” She drew his lower lip between her teeth, causing a twist of need low in his gut before she released it with a pop, pulled back from him and glared. “How could you hook up with some buckle bunny on the night I gave you my phone number?”

  Skeeter could only think she couldn’t be all that mad given how close they were pressed together and after the way she’d just kissed him, but he decided to answer her anyway. “I was so miserable about my career—I felt like such a failure—I wasn’t thinking clearly. Besides, she wasn’t a buckle bunny. She and her friend were at the bar line-dancing when Aaron walked in. The girls didn’t even know about the event—”

  “Skeeter.” Riley interrupted him and cocked her head to the side. “You’re not helping your case any by talking about the girl you had in your hotel room.”

  He cringed. “Right. Sorry. But as for the other part, I figured you gave me your number because you felt sorry for me.”

  “No. I gave you my number because I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing you again after you left the circuit.”

  It hadn’t been out of pity. It had been because she’d been interested in him all along. He’d just been too busy wallowing over his career to notice. In light of that, his not escorting Tammy home immediately after Aaron brought her to him seemed extra stupid.

  Riley had given him her number because she’d wanted to see him. His heart lightened at the thought. “I’m sorry that I didn’t know that then.”

  “Yeah, well, now you do.” She still frowned, looking annoyed, but it seemed a little less genuine now. More like she was trying to hold on to her anger and was failing.

  “Now I do.” He stroked the back of his fingers down her cheek. “I was stupid. And I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

  She leaned into his touch. “Don’t do it again.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” He wrapped his arms around her back to fully encompass her. He hugged her tight, feeling like he’d lost something precious and by some miracle had gotten it back again. He wouldn’t squander the second chance he’d been given.

  “Skeeter?”

  “Yeah.”

  She pulled back far enough to look up at him. “I want my first time to be with someone special too.”

  The enormity of her confession had his chest tightening, while at the same time his hopes soared. She’d shared something incredibly personal with him, and she must have done it for a reason. Perhaps Riley could forgive his stupid behavior with Tammy and that horrible conversation she’d overheard between him and Aaron. Maybe she was saying she’d give him a chance to be in her life. That he could be that special guy. Her first. As she would be his when the time was right and if that’s what she wanted.

  Riley was that girl he’d waited for without even knowing it. His nostrils flared as his breath came faster. “I haven’t totally ruined things between us?”

  She hesitated long enough to frighten him before she shook her head. “No.”

  Skeeter let out the breath he’d been holding. “I’m real glad.”

  He needed to kiss her again, now more than ever. He bent, moving his mouth closer to hers, but she pulled back a bit.

  Her big beautiful eyes met his. “But if you’re here because you’re hoping more than just this is going to happen between us, you can go. I appreciate your help but—”

  “Riley, that’s not why I’m here.”

  She bit her lip and all he could do was focus on her mouth and how badly he wanted to kiss her and pretend this mess hadn’t happened. Pretend that it was just him and her. Believe in the possibility for more between them without the past and his mistakes interfering. But he’d wait for that. Wait as long as she needed. Until he’d earned her trust back.

  “I know, Skeeter. I believe you. In spite of what I just heard out on the porch, I know you’re a good guy. God, I hope I’m not being one of those stupid girls who believe anything a cute guy says.” Riley shook her head.

  She thought he was cute. He held in his smile over that because this was serious. He needed to tell her she could trust him. “You’re not stupid, Riley. I’ll prove worthy of your faith in me. I swear to you. I will.”

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead. He should let her go, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it quite yet.

  Riley took a step back and ended Skeeter’s internal debate on the matter. “We need to get back out there before they start to wonder. And I have to turn on the A/C upstairs so it can cool the room down before you guys go to bed.”

  Now that she wasn’t in his arms, Skeeter shoved his hands into his pockets, unsure of what to do with them if he couldn’t touch her. “I can do that.”

  Unmoving, she finally met his gaze and looked as if she had something to say.

  “What’s wrong, Riley?” He had a feeling it had nothing to do with the air conditioner.

  “I’m jealous of that line-dancing floozy.” She said the last word with such enthusiasm, he had to laugh.

  He held it in the best he could and asked, “Why?”

  “Because she was with you, in your bed, and I wasn’t.”

  It was silly, Riley’s jealousy. But he loved that she was. It had to mean she liked him. She needn’t worry. He barely knew that other girl. Not much more than her name, that she liked french fries and that she had no problem doing stuff with him while her best friend and another guy were in the roo
m.

  Skeeter’s short encounter with Tammy wasn’t anything even close to the way things were with him and Riley. Or the way he wanted things to be. He knew so much more about Riley than he ever would about Tammy, and he wanted to learn even more.

  He knew Riley snored real soft when she slept. That she was so brave she would walk up to a bull that outweighed her by fifteen hundred pounds without blinking an eye. But she’d just as easily get thrown off balance and cry when Skeeter said something she claimed was too nice for her to handle while she was in this delicate stage of her life. And he knew that the mere presence of the sofa in the living room caused her pain every time she looked at it, but that she’d bear it because of the good memories it held of her father.

  Mostly, he knew that her father had been so protective of her because she was something precious and worth protecting. Now that Butch was gone, Skeeter would take over for him and make sure she was all right for as long as she’d let him.

  Skeeter kept all of that to himself. He was no dummy. He wasn’t about to compare his ill-advised and short-lived encounter with Tammy to his relationship with Riley, but he could tell her this… “I’m with you now, and I’ll stay as long as you want me to. And remember that it was you I was with last night in your bed.”

  “Most of that time I was asleep.” Riley’s pursed lips made him want to kiss the pout from them.

  Skeeter took a step and closed the distance between them. Cupping her face, he leaned low and pressed his lips against hers. Not for long. Now wasn’t the time for that, but she needed to know he wanted her and only her.

  When he pulled back, he said, “Next time, you’ll be awake. There’s too much going on in your life already, and I have no right to add any more for you to deal with. I should stay far away from you, but I don’t want to. I need you to know, when things settle down a bit, I wanna see where this thing between us leads.”

  She swallowed and nodded. “Okay.”

  “Good.” Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, Skeeter realized how late it had gotten. It was just about bedtime. He looked back to Riley. She was beginning to look beat. “Why don’t you turn in? Tomorrow’s gonna be another long day.”