Tyler (Riding Hard Book 4)

by Jennifer Ashley

  * * *

  Jess woke with a gasp. Her cowboy was still wrapped around her, his arm heavy across her abdomen. Outside the room, a man and woman laughed together, passing on the balcony, the sound cut off by the slam of a distant door.

  Real life rushed back at her with the slap of a crumbling wave. Jess was flat on her back, naked, on a strange bed in a hotel room next to a man she’d just met.

  How long had she been asleep? She needed to get up and out of there, back to the bar, find her motorcycle and go home to Dominic before Mrs. Alvarez, the sitter, grew furious with her. The woman had a life and couldn’t stay with Dominic all night.

  Tyler let out a slow breath, and for a moment, afterglow threaded through Jess’s panic. The core of warmth inside her was nothing like she’d ever experienced. Tyler had made her feel wanted, treasured. Though she knew damn well what this was—a one-night stand and nothing more.

  But what a stand …

  She had to go. She’d head to the hotel’s front office and call a cab or one of those services that had people in the area pick you up and drive you where you needed to go.

  Jess tried to ease herself out from under Tyler’s arm, but she might as well have tried to lift the whole bed. His strength hadn’t diminished with sleep, and he wasn’t waking up either.

  Worn out from his battle in the bar plus his stunt show before that, Tyler was sleeping the sleep of the just. Dominic slept like that, knowing he was safe, no worries in the world.

  In the end, Jessica had to shove Tyler’s arm hard and roll out from under him. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, trying to pull the clock around at the same time so she could read it.

  Her weak leg chose that moment to collapse, folding up under her to send her to the floor.

  Jess landed in a naked tangle next to the bed, a cry of frustration and pain escaping her lips. She lay there, like a bug on her back, mortified and unable to move.

  Chapter Five

  A groan sounded above Jess, the sound of someone waking up and not wanting to. The bed creaked and Tyler’s head appeared over the edge.

  He blinked sleepily at her with gorgeous blue eyes. Tyler dressed and cleaned up had been handsome enough—Tyler half asleep with his hair tousled from lovemaking was devastating.

  Jess waited for him to burst into laughter or impatiently tell her to get up. He only stared blearily a moment before the bed rocked and Tyler’s strong legs were next to her, his hands landing on her shoulders.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I just …” Jess tried to get her legs under her, but they failed her again.

  Tyler lifted her before she could stop him. Jess landed against his chest, his arms supporting her, his strength incredible. He was covered with bruises, which she could see in the bathroom light’s unforgiving glow, but he didn’t seem to notice. His expression held concern for her—no disgust, no amusement.

  “I’m fine,” Jess said breathlessly. “I need to go home. My son … his babysitter …”

  She tried to step away, but her left leg, always a problem, wasn’t cooperating. Tyler caught her again as she started to fall.

  So this was what support felt like. Someone to catch her when she was off balance, to set her on her feet again, hold her until she was all right. Jess wished she could extend the metaphor to the rest of her life.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Tyler said in his sexy rumble. “I’ll get you home.”

  Jess drew a slow breath, trying to calm down. The more she panicked, the worse her pain and balance would be. “I guess you’d better call that cab,” she said.

  “Nah, I’ll drive you. If we can find our clothes.” Tyler grinned, the slow, easygoing smile of a man not worried about much.

  “You can’t drive,” Jess said, some of her energy returning. “I had to bring you here, remember?”

  “Yeah, but I feel so much better.” The grin spread wider.

  Jessica’s entire body flushed. She stood unclothed against a man she’d met only a few hours ago, but she wasn’t blushing about that. What made her shy was his allusion to the sex they’d just had—their no-holds-barred, passion-filled sex. She’d gone at it with gusto, Jess who always kept herself in reserve. Her reaction to Tyler had sent her inhibitions flying away on the wind, and she went hot at the memory of her complete abandon. Women must follow this man around, panting for even a small piece of him.

  In fact, it was weird he didn’t have a date tonight—one not her, that is. He hadn’t gone into the biker bar looking to pick up a woman. If he’d wanted a hook-up, he could have gone to one of Dallas’s popular cowboy bars, or a dance club where women wore as little as possible and hoped to catch the eye of a rich, handsome man.

  Strange that Tyler had chosen that bar at all. But maybe he’d been looking for a little peace and quiet somewhere no one knew him. Jess remembered the emptiness in his eyes when he’d pulled her into his arms behind the bar. The flash had been incongruous, and made her curious.

  She tried again to pry herself from Tyler’s grasp. Nope, she wasn’t going anywhere as long as he had his arms around her. Jess wished she didn’t like the idea so much.

  “Don’t worry about me,” she said. “A cab will be fine.”

  Tyler pressed a kiss to the top of Jess’s head. “Sorry, but you’re stuck with me, darlin’. I’m gonna make sure you get home okay. I’m a gentleman like that.”

  It didn’t matter, Jess told herself. He’d drive her back to the bar, and that would be it. The sudden flood of sadness the thought brought almost made her fall again.

  “Only if you’re sure you’re all right,” Jess said, attempting to sound severe. “If you pass out while you’re driving, I’m going to be mad at you.”

  Tyler’s laughter wrapped around her like a blanket. “Honey, you’d be amazed at what I can do when I’m half passed out.”

  An agreeable shiver ran through her, but she kept her voice no-nonsense. “Just so you’re not all the way passed out.”

  Tyler continued to laugh. “You’ll know when I’m awake because I won’t be snoring. My brothers say I snore like a buzz saw.”

  “No, you don’t,” Jess answered, surprised. Then her face scalded.

  “Aw.” Tyler pulled her back to him, kissed her soundly on the lips, and finally released her. “I’m liking you more and more. Sure you don’t want to stay?”

  Jess did. To remain in this bubble of happiness would be the best thing she’d ever done for herself. When she walked out the door, this magical time would vanish into dust, leaving her with only the memories.

  “I can’t,” she made herself say. “Dominic … His sitter won’t stay past two-thirty.” Jess glanced at the clock and saw in dismay that it was already five after two. “Shit, I have to go.”

  Again Tyler caught her as she started to stumble. Jess had stepped away too quickly and lost her balance, weakness squeezing her leg. Damn it, not now.

  “Easy.” Tyler’s voice was gentle, holding a caring she’d never heard directed toward her. He held her firmly but didn’t confine her, and kissed her hair again. “You call your sitter,” he said in his calm and quiet tone. “Tell her you’re on your way, and we’ll go. Or him if you have a boy babysitter.”

  Jess blinked back unshed tears. “Mrs. Alvarez. She’s definitely a woman and likes to be called Mrs.”

  Tyler’s big smile split his face. “Then let’s find your phone, and call your Mrs. Alvarez. Tell her hi from me.”

  * * *

  It took a while for Jess and Tyler to sort out shirts, underwear, socks, jeans. Tyler laughed every time they found something halfway across the room, and after a while, Jess did too. It was nice to laugh about nothing.

  Jess swallowed her laughter when she finally found her cell phone and called home.

  “Are you all right?” Mrs. Alvarez asked in worry. Mrs. Alvarez—Carmina was her first name—had been born and raised in Mexico City, emigrating with her now-deceased husband when
they’d first married. She’d learned English as a little girl, and spoke with no trace of accent. She was fluent in French too.

  “Fine,” Jess said. She decided not to tell her hi from Tyler, as he’d suggested. He was just being funny. “A little problem at the bar, that’s all. How’s Dominic?”

  “He’s asleep.” Mrs. Alvarez sounded skeptical about Jess’s excuse, but her tone said she was letting it slide. “How long will you be?”

  “Half an hour?” Jess guessed. “It shouldn’t take longer than that.”

  “Don’t worry.” Mrs. Alvarez was brisk but kind. “I’ll stay. Good-bye.”

  She hung up, not one for long farewells.

  Tyler was sliding into his jeans by the time Jess turned around. Jess had dressed as quickly as possible, but Tyler took his time, a striptease in reverse. He slowly zipped up the jeans, buttoned the fly with calm precision, slid the belt through the buckle, then leaned down to lift a T-shirt from his open suitcase. He gave that a few shakes before pulling it over his head and easing it down his torso.

  The unhurried seduction halted when the T-shirt got stuck. Tyler struggled with the cloth folded up under his arms, grunting in pain when he touched his bruises.

  Jess went to Tyler, grasped the shirt, and tugged it down, smoothing the cloth over his waist.

  “Thank you, sweetheart,” Tyler said. The heat of his glance tempted Jess to call Mrs. Alvarez back and ask her to stay with Dominic all night.

  She wanted it so much she made herself turn her back on Tyler and head out the door.

  The night had cooled, the chill raising goose bumps on Jess’s bared arms and legs. She hurried, reaching the stairs before Tyler came outside and closed the door.

  He caught up to her quickly, not seeming to mind that she’d bolted ahead, and descended the stairs behind her. Tyler also didn’t seem to mind that she went down slowly, holding the handrail so she wouldn’t fall. No impatience from him, no shoves, no sounds of frustration.

  Tyler steadied her as they turned the corner at the landing, his hand warming her cold arm. Only when they were halfway down the bottom set of steps did he stop and say, “Shit.”

  Jess rocked on her feet and held more tightly to the railing as she paused to look for what had Tyler worried.

  Three large men strode across the parking lot, heading for the stairs. Jess’s heart missed a beat before she realized they weren’t Elijah and his gang. Not bikers at all, but cowboys, complete with hats. Two had silhouettes and a way of walking so like Tyler’s that Jess blinked. The other man moved differently, but was no less formidable.

  “Damn it, who let them out of their cages?” Tyler muttered. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Just ignore them.”

  He didn’t have to explain that the three men were his brothers. Two could have been clones of him, and the third had the same quiet confidence as the others.

  The three came on toward the hotel, and they all met at the bottom of the stairs. Jess halted on the last step, something in her wanting the height advantage.

  The man in the lead was the one who didn’t look like the other two. He had lighter hair and his eyes were hazel, while the others had Tyler’s blue eyes. The first man also wore a hard look Jess recognized, one that said he’d fought for his survival. Anything he had now he’d gained only after a long struggle. Jess saw in his expression that he instantly recognized that in her too.

  The other two men had dark hair like Tyler’s and shared his athletic handsomeness. One of them had scars on his face, shadows in the darkness.

  While the first man studied Jess in suspicion, the brother directly behind him flashed her an interested look and swept the black cowboy hat from his head. “Hey there, gorgeous.”

  Tyler was next to Jess in an instant. “She’s with me,” he said with a growl she hadn’t heard from him before.

  “Oh, yeah?” The man looked straight at Jessica. “I’m Grant, the better-looking Campbell.”

  “Go call your wife, Grant,” Tyler said, the rumble a warning.

  Grant paid no attention. “Carter, move. You’re scaring her.” He stuck out his hand. “Ignore my seriously rude siblings. I’m the nice one. And you are …?”

  Jess, bewildered, accepted the offered hand. Grant squeezed hers in friendship, interested not because she was a woman in shorts with a tight T-shirt, but because she was with Tyler.

  “Hey,” she said and cleared her throat. “Jessica McFadden.” She hadn’t told Tyler her last name yet.

  “Hey, yourself.” Grant let her go. “This here’s Carter.” He jerked his thumb at the hard-faced man. “Adam’s being strong and silent behind me, and I guess you already met Tyler. If Tyler upsets you, you just tell me. I know how to handle my baby brother.”

  “Fuck off,” Tyler said in a deceptively mild voice. He put a hand on Jess’s shoulder. “Jess and I were just going. Leave her alone or I’ll tell … Mom.”

  Jess assumed Tyler was joking, but the threat appeared to have teeth. Grant lifted his hands, and Carter took a step back, giving them room to go around him.

  The third man, the one with the scars—Adam—laughed. “Poor woman, meeting four Campbells at once. My wife would sympathize. You have a good night, sweetheart.”

  His voice was as deep and handsome as Tyler’s. Another charmer, Jess told herself. Men came in several categories—the bullies and the charmers were what she saw most often at the bar. Each got their own way; they simply used different techniques. Tyler was most definitely in the charm category, along with Adam and Grant. She wasn’t sure about Carter yet.

  Tyler put his hand on the small of Jess’s back and steered her past his giant brothers. Jess wasn’t small, but she felt insubstantial against these four cowboys.

  Only Carter hadn’t spoken. Jess recalled Tyler explaining that their mother had adopted him, saving him from a life on the streets. Jess believed it. It wasn’t just hair and eye color and different bone structure that set him apart from the brothers—his eyes held the darkness that came from harrowing experience. He watched Jess as though he knew exactly what she was. He thought she’d seduced Tyler, she realized, probably for dire purposes.

  Maybe she had seduced him. It was hard to remember who kissed whom first.

  No, Jess remembered exactly. She holding the washcloth to his side, Tyler leaning to her, touching his lips to hers. She’d met his kiss with one of her own, no resisting, no problem at all.

  Carter didn’t smile as Tyler guided her past him. Adam and Grant, on the other hand, kept up their interest, giving their younger brother knowing looks.

  Tyler quickened his pace and took Jess out into the darkness of the parking lot.

  “Sorry about that,” he said once they were out of earshot. “My brothers can be dickheads. Why they’re out traipsing around at two in the morning, I don’t know. Then again, their wives are probably partying it up at home without them.”

  He unlocked his truck and ushered Jess into the passenger side, and then walked around and climbed to the driver’s seat with perfect ease.

  Not quite perfect. Tyler winced and let out a soft grunt as he adjusted the seat and again when he pulled the door closed.

  “You sure you’re all right?” Jess asked in concern.

  Tyler nodded. “Yeah, just a little sore. I rode all day, got beat up, then spent a hell of a time in bed with a pretty lady.”

  Tyler sent her a dazzling look as he started up the truck, and then he reached over and took her hand.

  A river of fire flashed through Jess, his touch flaring the memories of what they’d just done. It was going to take her a very long time to get over him, to forget, to get on with day-to-day life.

  Jess glanced back at the hotel as Tyler turned out of the lot. She didn’t see his brothers anywhere, but she could swear she felt them watching them go.

  “You threatened to tell your mom on them?” she asked to force her mind from the picture of Tyler lying over her in the darkness. “Is she that scary?”


  “Yep,” Tyler answered as he accelerated down the street. “She raised five boys on her own, and let me tell you, we could get into some trouble. She’s a glutton for punishment, I guess. We’re all big and mean—at least those three are. Ross can be nice when he wants. But one small woman rules us all. If I tell Mom Adam and Grant were giving a woman I like hell, she’ll come down on their asses. Worse, she’ll tell their wives, and then my bros are so screwed.” Tyler laughed gleefully, looking exasperated and fond at the same time.

  Jessica had learned what love truly was when Dominic had come along. She could hear the same kind of love in Tyler’s voice, see it in his face. Her heart squeezed.

  “It sounds nice,” she said, hearing the envy in her voice. “A big family.” She’d never had much of one.

  “Sometimes,” Tyler said. “Sometimes it’s a serious pain in the ass. Where am I taking you, darlin’? Back for your bike? Or straight home?”

  “The bar for my bike.” Jess answered without hesitation. She didn’t trust Elijah not to return and mess with it if she left it too long. Then he’d offer to fix it for her, for a price.

  “Got it.”

  Tyler didn’t ask for directions but drove unerringly along to the correct exits, and then down back streets to the quieter area where the bar was located.

  The road to Brent’s Bar was mostly deserted this late except for a wandering homeless guy or two. They were the only ones conspicuously around, that is. There’d be more people deep in the shadows, either doing business or simply waiting for the next thing to happen. Jess felt pretty safe here while the bar was open, but there was a reason she had found a house for herself and Dominic far from this neighborhood.

  The bar was shut down and dark by now, but Jess’s motorcycle was there. Buddy had pulled it to the back door and hidden it in shadows under a tarp, not obvious to roaming thieves. She’d have to thank him for doing that.

  Tyler pulled the truck close to the back door as Jess requested. Her heart thumped as he halted the pickup and set the brake.