by Kennedy Fox
I grin, knowing Riley’s about to kill me. “Best friend’s little sisters.”
“Goddammit, Diesel. That’s getting old.” Riley rolls his eyes with a deep groan. “Like ten years’ worth old. Time to find a new fantasy.”
“No can do, Daddy.”
Alex parks the truck, and we all haul out.
“Told ya I’m gonna marry her someday.”
“Not on my watch. You don’t settle down for shit. You’ll get your fix, then leave her brokenhearted like you do every other woman you bang.” He pushes his finger into my chest. “Back off already.”
“For your information, the last one-night stand I had was in Vegas,” I tell him, reminding me of the letter I received weeks ago, but then I immediately push that thought away. Her name was Chelsea, and the only reason I remember that is because of Riley. Not my proudest moment, honestly.
“Oh, my bad. You buy them dinner and drinks first, then wait until after the second date to ghost them.”
I shake my head, my jaw tensing as my anger rises. He’s wrong.
“Actually, the last chick I took on a date told me she didn’t see us having a future together, and we mutually broke it off before the second date ended.” Which is true. We met through a friend and didn’t even sleep together. My dating life has been pretty much nonexistent.
Riley slow claps as if he’s supposed to be impressed, and it pisses me off further.
“Whatever.” I walk away, finished with this fucking conversation.
“Yeah, whatever. Stay away from my sister!” he howls at my back.
“I’m pretty sure Riley’s gonna kill me,” I tell Rowan, then chug my glass of whiskey. “Like actually stab me, cut out my heart, and then display it on a wall like a deer head.”
Rowan looks at me wide-eyed in horror. “That’s quite graphic.”
“I know he’s been telling me for years that you were off-limits, but he’s been extra asshole-ish about it lately.”
“He’s also sleep deprived and taking care of a newborn. He’s probably just edgier because of that,” she explains with a sad smile. “At least, let’s hope that’s what it is.”
I take off my cap, brush a hand through my hair, then replace it. “I don’t know. It’s like he’s determined to make my life a living hell right now.” I rub my eyes, inhaling slowly as I think about the consequences of Riley finding out the truth. It’d suck if being with Rowan ruined my lifelong friendship with him.
Thankfully, Riley hasn’t come in the bar since Zoey found out she was pregnant, so I know we’re at least safe in here for now. But if he catches us even remotely being friendly, there’s no way he won’t figure it out.
“Well, I think we both need to get better at hiding our happiness so everyone stops asking. It’ll calm down, and we can just go back to hanging out without guilt.” She refills my glass.
I pick it up and take a sip. “Do you feel guilty?”
She shrugs, lowering her eyes before meeting mine again. “Only about lying, not that we’re dating.”
That makes me smile. “Good. Because even with all the outside noise bullshit, I’ve never been happier.”
Rowan leans against the bar, placing her hand over mine. “Me too.”
I could stare into her gorgeous brown eyes for hours. “I wish I could kiss you right now…” I whisper.
The corner of her lips tilts up mischievously as she looks around the bar and checks to make sure everyone’s drinks are still full. “Come to the office in one minute.”
She tells Claire she’s going on a short break and then walks away. Luckily, she’s been too busy to notice how close the two of us have been all night. I’m completely under her radar when I follow Rowan to the back a moment later.
As soon as I shut the door, I pin her against the cool wood and bring my mouth to hers. I wrap my arms around her body and hoist her closer as she loops hers around my neck. She slides her legs around my waist, rocking against the hard-on I can’t contain.
“Fuck, baby,” I whisper. “You’re driving me wild.”
“Mmm…that sounds even sexier in person.”
“Yeah?” I slide my mouth against the softness of her neck
Rowan releases her thighs and lands on her feet. “We have at least fifteen minutes before Claire even notices I’m still gone.” She locks the door, then gives me a devilish look.
“What’re you up to?” I taunt, watching her and admiring how beautiful she looks. Some strands of her reddish brown hair have fallen loose from her half ponytail, and she tucks it behind her ear. Her jean shorts show off her long legs, and her band T-shirt hugs her in all the right places. Rowan’s curves are what my wet dreams are made of.
“Let me fix that problem for you,” she says confidently, tilting her head toward my groin. “You want to stand or sit?”
I blink. “What?”
She asks so casually as if we’re talking about the weather.
“I want to get on my knees for you.” She licks her plump lips.
My eyes widen in shock, certain she’s joking. “Here? Are you serious? Don’t fuck with me.”
She chuckles, then nods eagerly. “Yes and we’re gonna run out of time if you don’t tell me. So sitting or standing?”
“I-I, uh…” I’m tripping over my words like a teenage boy about to get head for the first time. “Baby, you don’t have to. Not here.”
She comes closer, moving her hands to my belt buckle. “Adam…” She says my name seductively, and I melt into a puddle. “Let me suck you off and send you home a happy man, okay?”
“Jesus fuck, Row.” My throat goes dry. She’s the only chick who’s ever managed to nearly put me into cardiac arrest. I must hesitate too long because she drops to her knees in front of me and torturously unzips my jeans.
The moment I feel her hand around my shaft, my eyes roll to the back of my head. I can hardly believe this is happening. I’ve fantasized about it a million times but never dreamed it’d be a reality.
Forcing my eyes open because I don’t want to miss a second of this, I look down and watch as she peeks up at me like a seductress eating her last meal. The moment her tongue glides from the bottom of my cock to the tip, I’m about to explode.
“Christ, baby.” I lean against the door and wrap my fist around her long hair. “This room soundproof?” I half-tease, though I really wish we could be loud without the entire bar hearing.
“No, so keep it down.” She smirks before wrapping her lips over the crown of my length and sucks hard.
Fuck. She nearly swallows me whole, and when she pulls me to the back of her throat, I’m five seconds from prematurely shooting my load. Though I don’t want to rush, we can’t take our time like I’d want to.
“Rowan, shit.” I cup the back of her head and help guide her mouth deeper and harder. She rotates and strokes her hand on the base of my cock as she continues sucking on the tip. Her hot mouth feels goddamn amazing, and when she blinks up at me again, my balls tighten, and I know I’m close.
Groaning, I watch as she pumps me faster, and then I quickly pull out and release in my palm. I stroke myself as she leans up, and I grab her chin, fusing our mouths together.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she says as we break apart. “I wanted to taste all of you.”
“Then I’ll have something to look forward to next time.” I flash her a wink, then help her to her feet with my free hand.
“Let me grab you some paper towels.” She snickers when she sees my mess.
Rowan goes to the storage closet and returns within a minute, and once I’m fully clean, I zip my jeans and redo my buckle. “You think anyone heard us?”
“Nah, the TVs are on, so if anything, they’ll just think it’s from the show,” she explains, but I know she’s full of shit.
I pull her into my arms and smile. “I’d stay and help you close tonight, but you’ve made me quite relaxed now.”
“That was my goal the whole time. You need to get
some sleep.”
“Mm-hmm. I know, but I can’t help wanting to spend all my time with you,” I admit. “Does that scare you?”
She licks her lips before biting on her bottom one. “A little, but not because you want to be around me. Rather, it’s how much I want to spend time with you too.”
“You’re not used to being on this side of things, are you?” I flash her a smug grin. “You’re too used to running away while calling me an asshole.”
She groans as her head falls back slightly. “You better pull that ego back, or I’ll go tell Riley right now that you touched his little sister.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat? I can take him.” I puff out my chest, which causes her to laugh, and seeing the way her cheeks heat causes intense electricity to shoot through my body.
“Well, you just might need to start honing your fighting skills. I have no doubt Riley’s gonna think you corrupted me.”
“He thinks I’m going to use you, that I can’t manage a real relationship, and that I’ll break your heart.”
Her face drops. “Are you?”
I tilt her chin up to look at me so she can see how serious I am. “Not a chance in hell, Rowan. I’m risking everything because if I lose you, I lose a best friend and a family I’ve known my whole life, too. I’ve waited for you, and I’m not gonna fuck up this chance you’re giving me. Don’t think for one second I don’t know how lucky I am. I’m not taking a second of it for granted. You hear me?”
“You are risking a lot,” she says softly. “It’s only been a couple of weeks, and I’m already losing sleep thinking about you. The last thing I want is for our relationship to break apart friendships or cause any awkwardness in my family.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work, and if sneaking around is the only way I can have you right now, then I’ll take it. We’ll wait until you’re comfortable or when you think everyone else can handle the good news.”
She gives me an expression that makes me laugh. “We might be sneaking around a while then. Riley might never be ready.”
“Maybe after we move in together, get hitched, and you get pregnant with my baby, he’ll finally accept it. We wouldn’t have to make a big ordeal about it then because everyone would eventually just figure it out.” I shrug nonchalantly.
She snorts, laughing at my antics. “The never announcing it method. Sure, that oughta work. After the third baby, they might start putting the puzzle pieces together.”
I brush the wild strands of her hair off her face and tuck them behind her ear before leaning down and kissing her forehead. “We’ll figure it out.”
Rowan reminds me that she has to get back to work before Claire comes looking for her. We kiss goodbye, then I casually make my way out the side door. I wish I could stay and talk to her all night, but we both know I need the sleep.
Hopefully one day—one day soon—I’ll be able to go to bed and wake up with her in my arms, and we won’t have to hide our relationship. I’m falling harder for her every day, and it almost doesn’t seem real how strong my feelings already are. Then again, they’ve been lingering for years, waiting to be unleashed when she finally saw who was right in front of her the whole time.
Chapter Ten
ROWAN
I actually have the day off, so I’m killing time at the B&B with hopes to see Diesel later. Three weeks have passed since we’ve started sneaking around, and as much fun as it’s been, I’m constantly on edge and worried we’ll get caught.
It still doesn’t feel real. These feelings seem as if they’ve come out of nowhere, but Diesel acts like he’s been waiting his whole life for me. All the shit I used to give him now makes me feel guilty, though I keep telling myself it’s just a part of our history. Perhaps if I had seen him differently years ago, we wouldn’t be where we are now. I know us being together is still so new and early, but the timing seems right, and everything is so good. Trying to navigate a long-distance relationship while I was at college wouldn’t have been ideal for either of us. We both had some growing up to do.
“So how’s it feel to be back for good? Think you’ll miss going to Houston?” Maize asks as we hang out in the B&B kitchen. She’s making one of her Southern specialities for the guests and putting her amazing cooking skills to good use. Maize graduated from culinary school a couple of years ago and became the head chef at the bed and breakfast. It happened at a good time too since the previous cook in charge was retiring.
“Nah, I don’t think so. Actually, it’s not as bad as I was anticipating,” I say honestly, reaching for one of the paninis. “After Nick the Dick ruined my life, I thought life would suck.”
She perks up a brow, knowing there’s more to the story. More that I can’t tell her. “But it doesn’t?”
I shrug, purposely not making eye contact with her. If I do, she’ll know I’m keeping something from her. She’s two years older, and we’ve always been close. She knows all my tells, and I hate having to lie to her.
“Nah, I guess not. It’s nice to be back home and working for the fam. At least I’m not having to help with ranch chores.” I chuckle with relief. When I was still in high school, I would do whatever was needed during weekends and summers, which meant a slew of bitch work. Didn’t matter that I was a girl and half the weight of the guys, my dad made sure I had a good work ethic.
“You have been in a pretty chipper mood,” she states as if she’s implying there’s a reason, but I play dumb.
“I’m not gonna let some cheating asshole bring me down.” I take a large bite of my sandwich so I can’t speak.
“Too bad there are no men around here for you to rebound with,” she taunts, waggling her brows. “In fact, there are no men here period. We’re all gonna be alone with a handful of horses. Horse ladies.”
I snort and cover my mouth with my hand to prevent food from spewing all over her. After I chew and swallow, I laugh. “Well, you need to get out of the kitchen every once in a while to find someone. All you do is cook.”
She shoots me a deadpan expression. “It’s my job, brat.”
“I’m working tomorrow night. You should stop in. It’ll be busy,” I tell her.
“And do what? Be the loser in the corner drinking alone?”
“Well, with that charming attitude, I’m shocked you’re still single!” I gasp dramatically, placing a hand over my chest.
She grins and throws a piece of bread at me. “I hate you.”
I scoff, waving her off. “There are like two dozen ranch hands. Pick one and make him your sex slave for the night.”
Maize makes a gagging noise that has me doubling over. “Oh my God. I’m related to like half of them. Plus, I don’t shit where I eat, okay? ”
“Gross.” I stick out my tongue.
“You don’t mess around with men you can’t escape from, which means all guys on the property are off-limits. That’s my one rule,” she explains.
“Oh really? So if a superhot and charming cowboy starts working here and is sweet-talking your panties off, you’d still say no?” I challenge, raising a brow.
“Well…” She hesitates a moment. “I didn’t say it was a hard rule.”
We’re both laughing when my mother walks into the kitchen wearing her scrubs. She must be heading into work soon. “I thought I heard some giggling in here.” She smiles, then comes over and kisses my cheek. “What’re you girls talkin’ about?”
“Boys,” I tell her.
“Or lack thereof,” Maize adds with a groan. “We’re staying single forever and joining a convent.”
“That is not going to give me or your mother—” She points at Maize. “Grandchildren.”
“Riley and Zoey just gave you a grandson!” I remind her. “Shouldn’t that hold you off for a while?”
“Nope. He only made me want more,” she retorts with a smug grin.
“Well, don’t look at me!” I tease. “I’m not like Riley who just goes out for a weekend and finds someone t
o marry.”
My mom snorts, shaking her head. “Your father too,” she reminds me. I think it’s adorable how they met, but that’ll never be me. “It’s the Bishop male gene. Too bad you weren’t a boy. You’d be married with a baby already. Maybe even two.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the reminder that my biological clock is ticking, Mom.”
“Oh, you have time, sweetheart. Ten years or so. But the sooner, the better.” She shrugs. “Especially if you want more than one.”
“Alright, got it. Find a husband, then get knocked up ASAP.”
“Your words, not mine.” She smirks. “But your grandmother did say she was hoping to have another great-grandchild before she kicks the bucket.”
“Oh my God, Mom!” I scowl at her. “Grandma isn’t dying for a long, long time.” Although she is in her mid-seventies, she still has a lot of life left in her. She’s too stubborn. The woman will probably live until she’s a hundred and twenty.
“Okay, girls. You two be good. I gotta get to work.” She gives me a hug, and we say our goodbyes.
Once she’s out the door and out of earshot, Maize speaks up. “Guess you better find yourself a ranch hand to procreate with very soon.” She smirks.
I narrow my eyes at her and walk toward the door, flipping her the bird. “Fuck off.” Then I turn around before leaving. “Tomorrow night. Come and hang out. Drinks are on me.”
Maize breathes in sharply through her nose, then exhales. “Fine. But you promised me fresh man meat, so you better deliver.”
I snort and wave goodbye.
Checking my phone as I walk to my car, I shoot Diesel a text.
Rowan: My mother wants more grandchildren.
Diesel: Now? Meet me in the barn. Haystacks.
Rowan: OMG, you animal!
Diesel: Only for you, baby ;)
Rowan: You’re lame.
Diesel: You adore me.