TELL ME WHAT YOU
FEEL
BOOK FOUR
BY
SUSAN SHEEHEY
Tell Me What You Feel
by Susan Sheehey
Knights of Texas
Book Four
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2018, Susan Sheehey
Cover Design Copyright © 2018, Melissa Gill, MG Cover Designs
Series Logo Design Copyright © 2018, Melissa Gill, MG Cover Designs
Edited by Chrissy Szarek
Amepphire Press
Trophy Club, TX
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including, but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Amepphire Press or the Author.
eBook ISBN: 978-1-947874-08-4
Print book ISBN: 978-1-947874-09-1
Published in the United States of America
First eBook Edition: July, 2018
First Print Edition: August, 2018
Table of Contents
Title Page
Teaser Excerpt
Other Novels by Susan Sheehey
Dedicaton
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Sneak Peek of DRY SPELL!
TEASER EXCERPT
Climbing the stairs to her apartment, Skylar’s dress swayed so deliciously high, revealing those creamy thighs.
Riggs bit his lip to keep from audibly groaning.
Starving, indeed.
The second her apartment door closed, he shoved his hands in his pockets. Otherwise, he would’ve pushed her against the wall and taken her right there. This woman pushed the limits of his control.
Which was against one of the primary rules of a Knight.
Maintain control.
How desperately he wanted to bring her back to his place. It was half the distance from the restaurant, but yet another strict rule about maintaining privacy.
So many damn rules.
The room smelled like sugared apples and caramel.
Skylar kicked off her heels, and when her adorable bare feet scrunched into the carpet, she sighed.
Her smile was so sweet, and equally desirable.
“What?” she asked.
“To hell with the rules.” Riggs lurched forward, and cupped her neck.
When he seared his lips against hers, she gasped.
Then clasped her arms around his shoulders, dragging her nails down the back of his head.
He groaned, his dick screaming for attention.
Skylar’s sweet and heady scent swirled around him, like a drug hitting his blood stream.
OTHER NOVELS BY SUSAN SHEEHEY
Audrey's Promise
ROYALS OF SOLANA series
Prince of Solana (Book 1)
Jewel of Solana (Book 2)
Crown of Solana (Book 3)
Royal Wedding (Novella 4)
KNIGHTS OF TEXAS series
Tell Me What You Want
Tell Me What You Crave
Tell Me What You Need
Tell Me What You Feel
STEAMY VACATION series co-authored by Mia London
Dry Spell - Coming Soon
Hot Spell - Coming Soon
Cold Spell - Coming Soon
DEDICATION
To My Mother & Brother,
Thank you for our plotting sessions in the pool.
To the Nurses in My Family,
You are all angels.
To Those Who've Lost a Loved One,
Hold love in your heart, not anger.
CHAPTER ONE
Riggs
The horse reared up from exiting the arena, and the armored knight fell from the saddle. Before the mare slammed down on the man's chest, Garrison Riggs grabbed him by his fake chainmail, and dragged him out of the way.
As the knight swore and scurried off, Riggs grabbed the reins dangling from the mare's neck. “Easy, girl.”
“Dammit, Riggs!” The manager charged over, his triple-chin shaking with rage. “This is the third time that horse has thrown one of my knights! Are you doing this on purpose?”
“If he wouldn’t use the spurs on her, she wouldn’t buck. She hates them.”
“Shifting blame again. We have a full house tonight, and I don’t have time to waste with an unruly mount. Put her in the stables, and shovel out every stall, now!”
A thousand comebacks raged through his mind, but he kept his mouth shut. The Marines had taught him that much, at least.
By the end of the show, his arms ached and sweat dripped from his brow.
“This looks glamorous.”
Riggs looked up at the back doors.
His old Marine buddy, Dorian West, leaned against the door with his signature smirk and dark goatee.
“Step up from patrols in the desert.” He shook his friend’s hand and slapped him on the shoulder. “How’s the cruise ship life treating you?”
“Shitty. Which is why we’re here.”
“We?”
Dorian gestured to a man behind him, with thinning red scruff on his chin. “Vaughn Ayers, fellow entertainment director on the floating piss bucket.”
Riggs shook the man’s hand, who was clearly out of his element with the wide-eyed expression.
“What’s wrong with the piss bucket?”
Dorian shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “Same thing that’s wrong with this place. It’s swallowing you up. Not in a good way.”
He scoffed. “Don’t sugarcoat it for me. What’re your plans?”
“Something new. Interested?”
“You need a breath mint for all that shit you’re talkin’?"
“No, man.” D sneered. “You’re smelling the manure under your foot. What I offer is something more…titillating.”
“All right. Enough with that. Out with it.”
“I don’t think Duane has the cowboy look in his ranks yet,” Vaughn chimed in. “I’m sure he could use one.”
“I’m not a cowboy. Just ‘cause I know how to work with a horse—”
Dorian chuckled. “Your southern twang has grown thicker, too. You certainly fit the image. If you can fit the lifestyle.”
“What lifestyle?”
They both smiled. “The boyfriend experience. We’re Knights…without the armor.”
CHAPTER TWO
Skylar
Two Years Later
The surgeon squinted at Skylar Lucas from over the patient’s leg. The sterile room smelled of betadine and burning flesh, an interesting pairing with I'm So Sorry playing from the speaker in the corner, care of Imagine Dragons. Dr. Green’s playlist featured angry, edgy music. However, his concentrated look always put Skylar on alert.
An amputated toe came flying through the air at her face.
She caught it in her left hand, thankful for the
glove, and tossed it in the specimen bag. “Would you like me to take this to lab?”
The surgeon scowled through his face shield. Clearly, he’d wanted a more dramatic reaction.
Jackass.
The other nurses had warned her of Dr. Green’s penchant for pranking the new hires with flying dismembered digits. Lucky for her, it was just a toe. The next surgery on the docket was for a whole leg.
The doctor cauterized the wound. “Let’s see how fast you are at catching tomorrow’s necrotizing fasciitis foot removal.”
Skylar refrained from flipping him the bird. “Yes, sir.”
Another nurse whispered in her ear as she busied herself gathering up surgical instruments. “Good girl. Don’t give him the reaction he wants. Pretty soon he’ll give up trying.”
She breathed a sigh of relief after the rest of the surgery progressed as planned. Without any further flying surprises, not even another scowl or glance from the physician.
As she finished dressing in the locker room, Skylar couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Her first week on the official job, finally out of school, and earning her way. As scary and daunting as it was thrilling.
The exhaustion in her body and brain from the eighteen hour shift only slightly dampened her excitement.
Her cellphone rang. Her oldest sister’s ringtone. “I’m still alive, Wren.,”
“Hallelujah, Sky. Did you contract Ebola yet?”
“No, but there was a man who came into surgery with honest-to-God fleas.” She sighed, and could picture her sister’s ink-black pixie-cut hair, despite her platinum-blonde natural color.
“Eww. Hey, listen,” her sister continued without a breath. “I know you’re a working woman now, all gung-ho with your new independence and pro-feminist attitudes…”
Skylar shook her head and smiled.
She never changes.
“But you are working in one of Dallas’ roughest neighborhoods, and the big bad city will eat up a naïve, innocent girl like you, and use your stethoscope for a toothpick.”
“Says the woman living on Chicago’s south side.” She threw her purse over her shoulder, clocked out and strolled through the hospital front doors, checking the entrance for any unsavory characters as she left, and waving to the security guard. The sky had started to darken, the brilliant streaks of color following the setting sun. Vicious heat still choked the air. Summertime in Texas. “How’s the tattoo shop?”
“It’s fine. And don’t change the subject. Met any hotties in scrubs yet?”
“Enough with the matchmaker stuff.”
All of my coworkers are women anyway. Aside from a jackass physician.
“Honey, I’m not trying to match you up with anyone. I’m trying to get you laid. The big O you’ve never had,” her sister said.
“Dammit, Wren. Stop throwing that in my face.”
“It’s not an insult, sweetie. Not everyone spends ninety hours a week at school and studying. But I also have a solution for that.”
Skylar narrowed her eyes as if her sister could see her from two thousand miles away. “For being a quasi-virgin?”
“No! For lack of a social life. I’ve called a friend and asked him to meet you. He’s going to show you around town a few nights over the next two weeks, help you acclimate to your surroundings. Safely, and in style. Like a bodyguard.”
If there was an emoji for rolling her eyes that she could send via voice, Skylar would have. She crossed the street to the employee parking lot, the darkening sky kicking up her nerves a little. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’m an adult.”
“He’s not a babysitter. Haven’t you been listening to me?”
“What friend?”
“His name is Riggs. Met him during my apprenticeship down there. Super-nice guy. Easy on the eyes, too.”
Skylar wound her way through the few remaining trucks and SUVs, and spotted her car.
With a strange guy standing beside it.
Her lungs constricted. She fumbled on her phone for the air-horn app, something she’d downloaded to help repel any would-be attackers. Running back to the security guard was probably the best option, if she could get her feet to turn.
“What’s wrong?” Wren asked, the words muddled.
“There’s some guy by my car.” Her voice shook.
The man looked up and spotted her. Then grinned. Blond guy, with fitting jeans, buttoned-shirt with black vest, toothy smile, and piercing blue eyes.
Hot as hell.
That’s how they lure you in.
“Are you Skylar?” he asked, with a slight southern accent.
She gasped, and took a step back.
“That’s Riggs,” her sister barked through the phone’s speakers. “Don’t run off, I promise he won’t hurt you.”
“What the hell, Wren?” she barked back. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Riggs strolled over, his bright expression fading slowly. “I’m sorry. Damn, I didn’t plan that too well, did I?”
Wren mumbled more things into Skylar’s ear, but she didn’t hear them. She was focused on the toned, suave man walking toward her with a cowboy’s accent.
“Your sister asked me to meet you here. Told me what car you drove.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Probably a bad idea, too stalker-ish?”
“Uh, a bit… Wren, shut up for a second,” she spoke into her cell.
He held out his hand. “Garrison Riggs. Call me Riggs. Tell Wren I said hey, and I promise to take good care of you.”
“Damn right, he will,” Wren answered.
Skylar still held the device to her ear, but spoke to Stalker-hottie. “This really isn’t necessary, and I’m not interested. Sorry for your trouble. I’m fine.”
“Sky, don’t you dare,” her sister warned.
“No trouble,” Riggs replied, the corner of his mouth lifting higher, and revealing a tiny dimple in his cheek. “But since this is a rough neighborhood, I’m a little scared of my surroundings right now. I’d really like someone to show me to a nice restaurant, where I feel safe. Can you help me?”
Playful sarcasm worked on her. She couldn’t help a smirk from spreading because damn—the sucker was cute.
“Please, Sky?” Wren asked in her ear. “You have to live life, not be afraid of it. For me? Or at least for Phoebe?”
Skylar sighed, and chewed on the inside of her cheek. The horizon was definitely getting darker, and her tummy rumbled. “It’s not every day I get to be a knight in shining armor. I’ll follow you in my car. Tell me where we’re going.”
CHAPTER THREE
Riggs
“Your sister said you were adorable, but I think angelic is more accurate.”
Skylar’s blush accentuated her cherub-like appearance. She curled the paper napkin holder in her fingers over and over, waiting on their beer and appetizer at one of his favorite casual restaurants close to downtown Dallas.
He’d clearly scared the daylights out of her in the parking lot, but that was all the information Wren would give him. What kind of woman would hire an escort for their kid sister? Wren Lucas, for sure. She was nice, albeit a wild one for Riggs’ taste.
Her little sister, Skylar—cute and bubbly—definitely more his style.
As a Knight in the most exclusive luxury male escort agency in Texas, he’d make sure his new client was completely satisfied with her new city.
“Yeah, I’m mistaken for younger than I am all the time. I’m constantly carded. Which is why I don’t drink that much. Not because I’m against alcohol, but it’s a hassle proving my age all the time. Who has time for that? Especially in nursing school, wow. The jokes thrown at me…”
Riggs grinned. He loved the babbling trait.
She’s nervous.
Must have been a while since her last date.
“How do you know my sister?” she asked.
The waitress set down their beers.
“She hung out with some of my friends in Deep Ellum during her apprenti
ceship a few years ago. Designed a few tattoos for them. Nice girl.”
“Wild child is the term our mother uses.” She took her first sip, and licked her lip.
“She’s fun. Big heart. I’m guessing a family trait.” He winked. “Scrubs. The nursing profession.”
“Yeah, which is kind of why Wren’s pushing so hard for this,” she gestured between them. “A social life.”
Riggs tilted his head.
“I haven’t had one for several years. Been busy with school and testing.”
“I’m honored you said yes to me.”
“I have a soft spot for southern boys.” She pressed her lips together. As if she was embarrassed by the small confession. “This is my first blind date, set-up situation. Your first?”
He held back a chuckle. “No. Then again, this isn’t exactly blind.”
Her eyebrows crunched together.
The server dropped off their loaded nachos, and they ordered their dinners.
“Your sister wanted to make sure you had a great time. Told me a little about you in advance.”
“Really? What did she say, exactly?” She peered from the edge of her beer, taking a much larger sip. Her green eyes were playful.
Riggs rested his elbows on the table, mirroring her body language. A body that was hard to decipher under her medical scrubs. “New in town, normally a very trusting person, sometimes to a fault. Intelligent, funny, and adorable. Workaholic, to the point of leading your life down a dangerously boring path.”
Skylar snorted on her beer. Then laughed through her napkin. “Yep, that sounds just like her.”
He wiped a smudge from her chin using his own napkin. Enjoying the closer contact. Giving him a more distinctive apple cinnamon scent from her hair. As well as a better view of the subtle freckles sprinkled across her nose.
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