“Out of curiosity, why did you say yes?” he asked. Keeping his eye contact focused on her.
She rubbed her lips together. “For one, to get Wren off my back. Because she’s relentless. And…”
He waited.
When she paused again, he leaned a little further in.
“And?”
“An infinitesimal part of her is right. I could use a night out.”
Riggs reached across the table and gently grabbed her hand.
She curled her fingers into his.
He relished the warmth. “Nothing else?”
She shrugged with a shoulder. “I’m a sucker for Sinatra eyes.”
A light heat crossed his cheeks. He couldn’t resist using the Sinatra song. “How about a stranger in the night?”
Skylar giggled. The first time in her life, an actual giggle.
He brushed a stray hair from her face. “Are you ready for your intro to Texas?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Anything goes.” He tossed her a wink.
“Can I change out of my scrubs first?”
“No.” He waited for her surprised expression, then smiled. “Of course.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Skylar
After a quick shower and change, she hastily dried her hair and pulled it into a loose ponytail, letting a few strands frame her face. She prided herself on getting ready lightning fast, and tonight it’d come in handy.
The designer skinny jeans she’d bought with her first paycheck, and rose-colored tank top with matching cotton duster brushed her knees. With a little makeup and perfume, she was ready for her quasi-blind date.
Wren certainly knows how to pick the hot guys.
She especially appreciated how accommodating Riggs was to a complete stranger. He probably had better things to do with his time than chauffeur around a friend’s little sister, but damn was Skylar glad he’d agreed.
The Texas charmer drove north on the highway in his Tundra, chatty and funny. He looked so comfortable with himself and his surroundings.
He wasn’t a super tall man, five-ten maybe, but he filled the space like he controlled the world with a casual air.
Skylar hoped she’d get back to that at some point. Perhaps he was just the person to help her with that.
Eventually, he pulled in front of a busy club. “Ever been to a comedy show?”
“Besides yours?”
They climbed down from the truck.
He curled her hand in his as they strolled up the sidewalk. The closeness felt so natural.
Throughout the show, Riggs was just as attentive. His arm draped over her chair or her shoulders the whole time, always skimming her skin or finding a way to touch her. The smooth caresses along her wrist under the table sent little sparks through her body. When he laughed, the sound filled her mind with fuzzy tingles. The man laughed with his whole heart.
When the show finished, they journeyed across the street to the dueling piano bar. Even more packed than the comedy club, with an electric atmosphere.
“Do you want another martini, or something else?” he asked.
“Rum and Coke.”
He held up two fingers, paid for their drinks, and they found a table toward the back. The body heat from everyone in the room proved too much, and Skylar removed her duster, draping it over the back of her chair.
When Riggs mouth curved up at her bare-skinned shoulders, warmth rushed her face, despite the little teasing devil inside her who reveled in the attention.
They sang along to the songs—he knew all the lyrics. Except when they played, I'm So Sorry from Imagine Dragons.
The reminder brought back the smell of the OR and flying limbs. Eventually, the band moved onto other songs, and she ordered several more drinks.
By the end of the show, the room seemed super warm, and a fuzzy tingle filled her body. Not to mention, Skylar practically sat in his lap. Riggs’ hand was so hot on her back, slowly caressing down her spine, and drawing super low toward her ass.
But he never once ventured lower. Never made her feel uncomfortable.
“You are so beautiful when you laugh.”
She ducked her head, genuinely moved. God, he was handsome when he looked at her like that. Like the only woman in the room.
He brushed a kiss on her cheek. Close to her lips. Then pulled back, and tightened his hold around her waist.
A tiny thought ping-ponged around her brain, one that wouldn’t stop. She’d never fooled around on a first date. Prim and proper parents had instilled in her to play things safely. Which is probably why her sister went so left field after graduation.
Good girls don’t give it up on the first night. Skylar could hear her mother’s words.
She sure as hell wanted to now. If Wren trusted this guy, and he made her feel this desired, what was the harm?
She deserved to have fun in life. To live to its fullest.
Skylar caressed the back of his neck, and pressed her lips to his mouth. Waited for him to open. He did almost instantly. She tasted her fill of the sweet rum from his tongue, relishing the feel of his heat in her mouth.
His hand moved to her lower back, nearly sparking along her skin with how alive she felt.
“You ready to go?” she asked against his mouth.
Riggs raised his eyebrows, and beamed. “I am if you are.”
Riggs
Skylar’s lips on his made him strain to hold back. Her mouth was so hot, so delicious…so willing.
His dick was beyond ready for the next step, pushing against his zipper and desperate for release.
She stood, grabbed her duster, and held his hand, leading him out of the bar through the throngs of other patrons at last call.
Wren's little sister is a true vixen.
He couldn’t wait to get back to the car. They might not even make it all the way back to her place. Or his place?
No, that was a strict rule. No clients back at Knight’s residences. Definitely her place, then.
Then Skylar stumbled down the hallway toward the door.
He caught her, keeping her upright, but she clearly had a hard time maintaining her balance on her heels.
“They say you shouldn’t operate machinery while under the influence. I think those shoes qualify." Riggs motioned to her pretty shoes. “Need me to carry you?”
She laughed again. “How chivalrous of you. But I’m fully capable of walking. Are you okay to drive?”
“Of course.” One of the rules of being a Knight, always keep a level head. So, one drink maximum per venue with clients.
Her heels clicked on the pavement during their walk back to his truck, and all the while she talked about her favorite songs, stumbling every other step.
When they reached his Toyota, he went to open the door for her. The step bar was too high for her tipsy self.
Riggs grabbed her waist, slid his hands down ever so slightly, and lifted her onto the seat.
Skylar yelped softly. Then turned her body to face him, letting her feet dangle. With a gentle tug on his shirt, she pulled him in for another kiss.
Long, slow, and stretching his dick another inch. He nearly groaned with how sweet she tasted.
Her hands drifted south, stopping just at his belt. Her fingers skimmed his raging hard-on. “Wow. He’s certainly ready, isn’t he?” Her words slurred slightly.
“Who wouldn’t be, with a woman like you?”
Tingles raced down his neck when she whispered in his ear. “Come back to my place.”
Oh, God, how he wanted to. His cock nearly screamed its approval.
“How about a raincheck for that. A very short raincheck.”
She pouted. “Why not?”
“We just met today. And you’re drunk.”
“You sure about that?" Skylar trailed more kisses along his neck, reaching the base of his throat.
Riggs groaned, so hot he could barely stand it. He cupped her face, pressed an urgent kiss to her l
ips, then pulled back. Looking hard into those sultry green irises. “When I make you come, I want you to remember it.”
A slight gasp escaped her lips. Which he claimed with another hard kiss, sweeping his tongue into her mouth.
Damn, does she know how to use it.
It took all his strength not to take her right there in his truck, especially with how desperately she kissed him back. He forced himself back, closed the door, and kept his hands to himself as he drove her home.
By some miracle, he walked her up to her door, only touching her to make sure she didn’t fall over.
At her door, Skylar turned and grabbed onto his neck. She leaned in to kiss him again.
Riggs growled inwardly; this would be his undoing. Who in the world could resist this beauty?
She stopped an inch from his mouth. “Thank you.”
“For?”
She bit her lip. “Being a gentleman. Knights in shining armor like you are rare.”
Thank God.
“Angels like you are even more rare.”
“Do you have plans tomorrow?” she asked. The hunger in her eyes was unmistakable.
Shit, do I need a cold shower.
“I do now.” He pulled his card from his back pocket. Etched in white letters across a pewter background were just his name and phone number. “Pick you up at noon?”
“Noon?” Skylar’s eyebrows rose again, a perfect little arch that made him groan with wanting.
“Trust me.” Riggs dipped down, and forced himself to leave just a tiny, lingering kiss on her lips. “Bring an appetite.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Riggs
“Let’s discuss new bookings,” Duane Wilkes announced from the front of the weight room the next morning. His rough voice was thick this morning, clearly after a night of drinking.
However, the British owner of the Knights of Texas Agency didn’t party that much. The sole purpose of drinking was to merely match a potential new client, according to Duane. Part of the wine-and-dine schmoozing game he played very well.
“Need a cough drop?” Roarke Andrews asked from the weight bench. As a former trainer, he was the largest of all the Knights, both in height and bicep circumference. Like a minotaur, with only slightly less scruff on his face.
“Nah, he needs a hair of the dog,” Riggs answered. “Bloody Mary, ol' chap?”
The boss winced. “Every Englishman just rolled over in his grave on that ghastly attempt. Stick with your hick tongue.”
“Hey,” Riggs tossed his empty water bottle in the recycling bin. “Southern is not hick.”
Bennett Jacobs smirked. “He’s right, Duane,” he said in his own British accent. “Just like cockney versus London.”
Duane glared at Ben. “I’m trying to get through the bloody meeting.”
“Sorry.” Ben went back to stretching his arms.
Their boss had brought the thin and relatively quiet man over from England when the Knights first started. Despite his wiry physique and ridiculously clean appearance, he was the only one with a history in competitive mixed martial arts. The few medals he’d won and the scarred knuckles proved it.
The man of the hour pinched the bridge of his nose. The harsh effects of losing so many Knights back to back had started to take its toll. His job looked more difficult now.
The ranks had thinned the last two years. Three Knights had quit recently, after finding long-term romantic relationships. Renner had actually walked down the aisle, now living the good life with his wife and new stepson. Vaughn had moved away with his significant other-slash-professional thief. Dorian was still around, though committed to his lady with high-profile, philanthropic ventures.
Riggs was happy for his friends, but he missed the camaraderie between them, the tight-knit unit they used to be.
“I have some pain-killers in my bag, if you need them,” he offered.
“No, thanks, I’m good.” Duane took a deep breath. “We have a request from a new client tonight, looking for the southern cowboy. Riggs, you’re up.”
He shook his head. “I already have an appointment tonight.”
Duane speared him with a look. “It’s not on the schedule. Oh, wait…the sister booking?”
Riggs nodded.
His boss frowned. “That was for three outings?”
“Yep. This is the second.”
“You better turn her into a permanent client.” He turned away. “Roarke, you’re the only other who can play the country boy bumpkin.”
“Since when?” The big guy chuckled. “What happened to the promise of authentic and genuine?”
“You can pull it off. The lack of accent won’t matter once she gets a look at your physique.”
“If you’re that attracted to him, just ask him out,” Ben called. “No judgments”"
Duane glared. “I’ll send you right back to Salisbury, Bennett.”
“Sorry,” the fellow Brit replied. He scraped his chin, then popped a few knuckles.
“Something wrong, Duane?” Riggs asked.
The man was a lot more touchy than usual.
“Thanks to some of our former brethren, we’re not pulling in enough money. We need to find a way to boost sales. To do that, I need to recruit more Knights.”
Riggs refrained from rolling his eyes.
Always the Duke of Drama.
“I’ve had lots of requests over the years to join our team, but you all know I’m picky.”
This time, there was no holding back a snort.
“Problem, Riggs?” His glare might as well have had Excalibur behind it, piercing the silence. “Need a tissue for that bullshit?”
“Yes, please.” Riggs mocked. Grabbed a few tissues from the bench nearby, blew his nose, and crumpled it in his hand.
A few guys hid their snickers behind their fists or in a towel.
“I’ve invited a few of the top escorts from Los Angeles, Miami, and New York to come and audition. Trial run, if you will. I expect you all to treat them if they were permanent members.”
“What makes them pass muster?” Ben asked.
“Customer feedback, your impressions, and of course the same standards I hold you all to. Clean, sober, minimal drama.”
“Then why the hell did you hire Ben?” Roarke twirled his towel, and smacked Bennett’s leg.
The Brit didn’t flinch. He grabbed the towel and yanked it away, glaring at Roarke.
Riggs didn’t join in on this banter. He wanted no part of the beef those two men shared.
“Enough waggin' off,” Duane snapped. “Finish your workout, then get back to filling your calendars with clients.”
CHAPTER SIX
Skylar
Skylar’s hangover was easy to handle. Nursing school had taught her how to prevent one as well. Because she had some serious work to do before her next date with Riggs. Least of all was to Google him and stalk him on social media.
Only to find the man didn’t have an account. On any platform.
“Totally strange,” she said out loud to her laptop, then set it on her coffee table. She didn’t have time to stew in it, or wonder why he used business cards. Which reminded her to ask him what he did for a living.
First on the agenda was a shower, and a complete body shave. She switched off the small flat-screen television she’d turned on for background noise, and went into the bathroom, dropping off her empty coffee mug in the small kitchen along the way. Her mind was like a hamster wheel—there was so much to do, and not a lot of time. Per usual, she’d be driven to distraction by another item on her to-do list.
This time, her to-do list was socially oriented.
Sexually oriented.
Because for the first time in years, Skylar wanted sex.
Sex with Riggs.
Her sole experience in the bedroom arena was a single, pitiful excuse for a boyfriend back in college, with no happy ending. Then she’d thrown herself into nursing school, focused only on her studies and passing exams. She k
new a man’s anatomy forward and backward, and had seen more than her fair share of franks and beans during surgeries. But…she’d never experienced a real lover. Never had a man-induced orgasm.
Skylar took extra care with her makeup, and curled her hair instead of just throwing it back. Her off-the-shoulder mint-green shirt was her favorite casual outfit, one she hadn’t worn in forever, having lived in medical scrubs the last few years. Her jeans hugged her hips like a glove. She easily visualized Riggs sliding them off later.
By the time he arrived at her door, she’d been having foreplay with him in her mind for hours.
His casual gray T-shirt and dark jeans fit her imagination well. “Ready to go, gorgeous?”
“Where’re we headed?”
He’d said something about an appetite.
Doesn’t that mean he’d stay here for a feast?
“Trust me.” Riggs held out his hand, his smile so enticing, she didn’t hesitate.
A quick drive later, and a huge lake spread out before her. With dozens of tents, and a large stage at the other end. Rock music blared from speakers easily heard in the parking lot. Skylar stepped out of his truck, and her mouth instantly watered.
Barbecue hung thick in the air. Sweet, smoked, spicy—different kinds from the various tents mingled together in an intoxicating flavor that made her tummy rumble.
Riggs came up behind her, and lazily draped an arm around her waist. “No better way to learn about Texas than her barbecue.”
“You know the way to a girl’s heart.”
“That I do,” he whispered in her ear.
Goosebumps raced down her neck and into her spine.
“Through her stomach. All the best places are here, vying for top spot in the cook off. So, taste them all, and find your favorite,” he said.
She slipped her fingers into one of his belt loops on his jeans.
Strange idea for a date, but it works.
After tasting the various popular barbecue joints and finding her favorite, they stopped and listened to the band for several songs. The lake in the background kept a decent breeze blowing across the field, and provided an ideal backdrop. Especially for a girl from Chicago, used to seeing Lake Michigan in almost every glance out her car window.
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