Meadowlarks 3 : Endless

by Ashley Christine

  I blushed. If they only knew what I dreamed about. I think we equally tarnished each other in that delicious fantasy.

  “So why do you call him Tattoo?”

  Addison giggled and pulled out a chair to sit down with us. She leaned in and whispered, as if there were people around that she didn’t want in on the secret. “He’s got one of those bicep tattoos, on the inside. It says “Because I can”…”

  I blinked. “Because I can?”

  “Exactly! Do you have any idea what that can entail? Oh, Leah…that man is his own biggest fan.” Riley laughed. “But, it does add a mouth-watering element of intrigue.”

  “Listen to you two!” Ann chimes in, pointing at Riley and Addison. “You’re married!”

  “We’re not dead, mother.”

  Addison nodded. “That’s right. Besides, we can look.”

  I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I wanted to ask them to rewind for a second and listen to the part again about Weston asking about me. I wonder what he said…I’m dying to know. “I saw him, you know.”

  “Saw who?” Riley asked with a mouthful of pancake.

  “Weston. In New York. He was at the club that caught fire. I knew I recognized him.”

  “No fucking way.”

  “Riley! Good Lord…” Ann covered her face with her hand.

  “Sorry.” Riley wiped her mouth with a napkin. “It’s Weston! He brings out the bad girl. See why I don’t want Leah slumming with the likes of him?”

  I want to slum. How if they only knew who badly I wanted to slum with that man. I’m tired of being a good girl. “Maybe I want to be tarnished.”

  Addison, Riley and Ann silenced and blinked at me like I had spoken in a foreign dialect. I shrugged, and continued to eat my pancakes.

  “Well, if you want the best sex of your life, I’ll give him your number.” Riley grinned at me.

  “And just how you would know that, my dear?” Ann asked quizzically.

  “Mom, last year in Cheyenne, at that home show…We had adjoining rooms.” Riley leans in closer to her mother. “I heard him having the most animalistic sex with someone…for HOURS.”

  I choked on a piece of pancake.

  Did she just say hours? Holy shit. I don’t even know what thirty minutes of sex feels like.

  Addison started to blush. “I wouldn’t have any idea what that was like.”

  “Liar,” Riley said loudly. “I bet Blaine would put Weston to shame.”

  Addison just shrugged and looked down at her plate innocently, not giving anything else away.

  Lucky bitch.

  “Isn’t he married anyway?” I ask, not wanting to hear her answer.

  “Not anymore.”

  Oh…

  ***

  Hi, my name is Leah and I’m a fifth-wheel. No, not the type of truck. The fifth person in a group, with two couples. You know the one. It’s awkward and super fun…

  I squeezed my legs around Cylas, the white Arab, and he trotted up in front of everyone else. If I’m going to have to ride with them, and all their lovey-dovey goo, I’m not going to be subjected to watching like a big loser from the back.

  I’m also grinning like an idiot trying to ignore that I just overheard Blaine suggest he and Addison find a bush and shake it. I’m so happy that she’s happy…but things like that make me feel incredibly lonely and sad at the same time.

  I’ve decided that when we get back, I’m going to pull Riley aside and tell her I want to meet Weston again. Even if she refuses, I’ll pull the BFF card. Lord knows I haven’t redeemed those points, ever.

  “So, Leah! You wanna hook up with Riley’s boss, huh?” Alex shouts from behind me.

  I actually squirm in the saddle. Damn, Riley!

  I turn around and look at him. “Maybe!”

  “Well, damn…Just be careful. I bet that guy can get a girl pregnant just by looking at her.” Alex teases.

  “Isn’t that how you knocked Riley up?” I asked, my voice sarcastically sweet.

  “There must be something in the water at the Cole residence in Maine. Both their children are horndogs.” Riley rang in.

  “I’m not complaining,” Blaine said, laughing.

  After the talk of sex filled my morning, I’m almost desperate now. It’s been way too long since Joel, and I’m too embarrassed to actually tell the girls there has only been him and Jeremiah. Not that I’m counting how long it’s been since I had sex.

  Eleven months, three weeks, and four days…

  CHAPTER NINE

  Weston

  “Well, whaddaya think?” Pete asks when I climb out of my car at the new property.

  “I think I’m very happy with my choice of contractor.”

  “Thought you might say that. C’mon and take a look at the foundation.”

  I follow Pete around the base of my new structure, smiling and nodding while he explains everything I already know. If he’s already got this much done in four days, he’ll have the rest up in no time. I’m a very happy man right now.

  “I’m heading back to New York for a few week, but I’ll be back in time to cut the ribbon.” I extend my hand to Pete and he shakes it. “If you need anything, in person, call Riley Cole. Her number should be on all the paperwork.”

  Riley is meeting me for lunch today, to discuss a few more things before we leave for New York. She’s coming with me to the convention—and I’m still very excited about it.

  When I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant she chose, I park beside her car. What a nice His and Hers pair.

  As soon as I walk into the place, her laughter echoes through the place, and I immediately zone in on where she is seated. Although from here I can only see the back of her, I can tell she’s talking to someone and whoever they are, they’ve got her in stitches.

  I smile at the hostess and take off my jacket. “I’ve found my seat already, thank you.”

  She smiles sweetly and looks back down at the papers on the podium.

  I walk in, confidently, with a grin on my face that Riley’s beautiful laughter has created. And then it hits me. She’s brought Leah.

  Fuck me running.

  “Late as usual, Mr. Casey. I hope you don’t mind we started without you.” Riley smiles too sweetly at me, and bats her long lashes.

  I stand there, unsure of what to do let alone even say, and all can physically do is clear my throat. I look down at the chair beside Riley, expecting her to move her purse so I can sit.

  She doesn’t.

  Instead, I take a glance at Leah and move to sit beside her. When I do, her amazing scent almost knocks me off the seat. She smells like a summer day at the beach, even though it’s September.

  “Let’s just get this out of the way, shall we?” Riley smirks before sipping water from a glass. The warmth in the room is creating beads of condensation on her glass—I almost feel like my body is mirroring feeling. I’m sweating buckets.

  “And what exactly would that be?” I ask.

  “Me,” Leah speaks up.

  I turn to look at her, and instantly I’m delving into those blue eyes again. She smells like summer, her eyes are like the most tropical of waters, and her full lips are making it hard for me to concentrate on anything else.

  Looking down at her mouth, I let a smile curl on my lips and look back into her eyes. “I wondered if you remembered.”

  Confidently she says, “Small world, huh?”

  “Indeed.” I growl. “Riley, did you tell Leah that I asked for her number?”

  Riley nodded her head, happily. “I also told her everything else I know about you. I wanted to warn her.”

  I laugh.

  “And I told Riley that I’m a big girl, and I can make my own decisions.”

  I almost tell her Riley is right. I could ruin this girl in too many ways, but it would be remarkable to be able to do it. The fact that she’s seemingly so willing too, has me all but tearing her clothes off right here in the busy restaurant.
<
br />   I needed to change the subject before my clenching jaw gives me away. “I saw Pete today. I told him if there’s anything he needs while I’m gone that he can call you.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Riley twirls her hair between her fingers. “I’m actually looking forward to seeing New York.”

  “How long are you in Wyoming, Leah?”

  “Another week. Then I’m heading back to Maine to visit my family until the end of the month.”

  “Excuse me,” Riley says quietly before pushing her chair back. “I’ll be right back.” She gets up and heads to the ladies room.

  “Fuck,” I growl softly.

  “Yep,” Leah whispers.

  “How is it possible that you’re you?” I ask, looking down at the menu in my hands.

  Leah shrugs and nervously knots her fingers on her lap. “You’re different. You were so…different in New York.”

  “So were you.”

  She lets out a tiny laugh. “Adrenaline will do that to you. Plus, I thought you were just another guy trying to hit on me because of who I am.”

  I drop the menu and turn in my chair to face her, slowly lowering my hand to place it on top of hers, I lean in and whisper. “Riley is right. You’re too good for me. You’re too sweet.” I breathe, and her hair gently moves from my heated lament. “I want to do very bad things to you.”

  Leah’s breath hitches and her fingers finally stop moving under my touch. “Please tell me you feel that too.”

  If she’s referring to the sparks exploding like crackling wood in a fire, then I definitely feel it too. “This?” I ask quietly, squeezing her hands with mine.

  She nods, and I lean in once more to whisper in her ear. Taking a quick glance down at her chest, I see it’s slowly heaving and she closes her eyes.

  “Later, sweet Leah.”

  Riley doesn’t say anything when I rush out of the restaurant. She catches me briskly walking out, slinging my jacket on, and moving out the door.

  Shit, shit, shit! Oh, fuck. Damn. I almost dragged Leah into the bathroom like a caveman and had an Elsa encore. I can’t believe how close I was.

  Are you OK? Riley’s text messages flashes across the screen on my phone that’s in a death grip in my hand.

  Nope. Not okay.

  Me: I’m fine. Had to go. C U at the airport tomorrow.

  I’m a big liar. But, I’m not about to let Riley know how affected I just was.

  OK. She sent back.

  I sigh, frustrated, and toss the phone on the empty passenger seat.

  ***

  I’m surprised I haven’t drained the hot water tank at the hotel yet. I’ve stood in this shower for well over an hour. Feeling emotions I can’t behind to fathom. Running my fingers through my hair in frustration I decide the shower isn’t helping at all, so I get out and fall completely naked onto the bed.

  My cellphone ringing wakes me from my sleep. I drowsily open my eyes and scan the dark room for the light from the screen.

  “Hello?” I ask, my throat sore and dry.

  “Weston man, what’s up?” Josh’s loud voice barrels through the receiver.

  “Nothin’ man, I was just going over from paperwork.” I lie. “What are you up to?”

  “Waiting on take-out, I’m stuck at work waiting for a deal to close.”

  “Must be a big one if the boss is sticking around.”

  “It’s huge. Ten point five mill. Thankfully I’ve got some pretty scenery to stare at, or I’d throw myself out the fucking window.” Josh chuckles.

  “Not the puker…”

  “No, Chella quit on me. Something about her boyfriend didn’t like her working for me…or whatever. Who cares? Anyway, I’ll send a car to pick you up tomorrow morning, don’t take a cab.”

  “Don’t forget I’ll have Riley with me.”

  “Oh yes, the infamous Riley. I can’t fucking wait to meet that one.”

  “She’s married.”

  “You said that before. And you also said it didn’t matter.”

  “Josh, I gotta go. See you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow. See ya, buddy.”

  I hang up and fall back on the bed once more. I should have told him the truth—that I was stark naked. Maybe he would have made the conversation much shorter.

  A loud pounding on the door startled me and I shot up. Scrambling to find my boxers, I quickly pull them on and peek through the peephole in the door.

  You’ve got to be shitting me.

  “Well, I wondered when you’d come to your senses.”

  “You know I don’t like vintage,” Elsa says while pushing me out of the way and barging into the room. “I’m here for something else.”

  “If you need help finding a nice retirement home, I can ask Bob—”

  “West, sit down and stop being an asshole for two seconds.” Elsa sits on a chair beside the dresser.

  Wow. No sassy comeback? Something must be wrong.

  “What do you want, Elsa?”

  She exhales slowly and softens her glare at me. “Will you please explain to me what you’re planning on doing with Riley, and why you’re still in Wyoming?”

  I wondered when this conversation was going to take place, if at all. “Well, you know how good she is. And, I happen to like it here.”

  “Did you sleep with her?”

  “No.”

  “Did you try? Did you want to?”

  “Yes, and yes.”

  Elsa frowns. “I’m sorry.”

  I wiggle my ear. “I must have water in my ear…what did you just say?”

  “I created a monster. I let you slip away…and look what you’ve turned into.” Elsa motioned her hand up my body and turned her face away from me.

  “You couldn’t create what was already there, Elsa. This must have been the real me all along. I guess I tried to change…for you.”

  “No, you’re wrong. I saw it in your eyes, all those years ago. You were a good boy, and I ruined you. I pushed you into the bed of all those women…God, I bet I don’t even know how many. I probably don’t want to know.”

  “You don’t.” I was being honest. “Something going on with the new guy? What brought this on?”

  Elsa leans back and crosses one leg over the other, and cocks her head to the side. “Hunter and I are just fine.”

  “What will happen to him when he grows up, Elsa? Have you thought about that?”

  “I guess not. But, he might be just a passing thing anyways. Maybe I should take a page out of your book.”

  “Don’t do that.” Even though I hated her, I didn’t want to picture her sleeping with hundreds of men. “Why don’t you go and see a counsellor?”

  Elsa laughs deeply. “Not going to happen. I’m fine. We’re fine. I shouldn’t have come here.”

  “Why did you?” I ask, running my hand through my hair.

  “I still hate you for getting that damn thing.”

  “What? The tattoo? Oh, get over it already.”

  Elsa snorts. “Hunter reminds me a little of you. Except with him, I don’t have to fake it.”

  “Time to go, baby. It’s way past your bedtime.”

  Elsa smiles at me, gets up and stands right in front of me. The woman from the bathroom in Cheyenne is long gone, I can’t even see a trace of her in those eyes anymore.

  “Good luck with the new property, West. God knows you’ll need it.”

  With a swish of her hips, she turns and walks out of the room. I stand there, staring at the closed door, willing myself not to run out and strangle her in the middle of the hallway.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Weston

  Riley was quiet for most of the flight. I was surprised she didn’t mention Leah, and I was trying my hardest not to ask her anything about her.

  While the plane was descending into LaGuardia, Riley’s hand gripped her armrest and she closed her eyes, exhaling slowly out of pursed lips. “I hate landings.”

  “It’s okay,” I whispered and placed my hand
over hers. She didn’t look at me, say anything, or even move my hand away.

  The car Josh sent was a sparkling white Benz with pitch black windows. The driver got out and opened the door for us to climb in, then he put all of our luggage into the trunk.

  “Wow,” Riley said, looking around the interior of the car. “Swanky.”

  “Josh is very…flashy.”

  “Your BMW is just as nice, Weston.”

  I smile, surprised. “Thank you.”

  Riley shrugs and buckles her seatbelt while we pull away from the curb.

  “I want to give you a pre-warning about Josh. He’s very…forthcoming.”

  “So, he’s just like you? I’m in trouble.”

  “In all seriousness, showing him those claws will only make him want you more. You know how irresistible you are.”

  Riley laughs. “Mr. Casey, you don’t say…”

  “Can we make a deal?”

  She looks at me, wearily. “What kind of deal.”

  “We enjoy New York. Let’s put aside the boss and employee thing. Can we be friends? Can we enjoy being together here?”

  “As friends? I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.”

  “Friends hug you know.”

  “Sometimes,” Riley says while looking out the window.

  “Friends…kiss.”

  “Nope.”

  “I’ll settle for a hug then. Can it be a naked hug?”

  “Weston!” Riley slaps my chest lightly with the back of her hand.

  “That will get you more than in trouble, ma’am.”

  Riley shifts slightly in her seat, and I laugh quietly

  Pulling up to Josh’s building, I can’t help myself but smile at Riley while she leans to look up at the towering sapphire structure.

  “It looks like it’s all glass.”

  “It is.”

  “Whoa.”

  “Let’s go.” I climb out and extend my hand to her while she follows behind me.

  Josh greets us when the double doors open to his penthouse. “Welcome.”

  “Mr. Montedesco, it’s a pleasure. I’m Riley.” Riley offers her hand, and Josh smirks slyly while taking it and placing it right against his lips.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Riley. Please, come in.”