Fall for Me (Wilson Creek Book 2)

by Reese, K. R.

  Fall for Me

  A Wilson Creek novel.

  K.R. Reese

  Copyright 2016 K.R. Reese

  All Rights Reserved.

  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

  From the Author

  Chapter One

  “Whose f-ing idea was this again?” Ella grumbled.

  Ashlee McCoy looked back at her friend struggling to put on a simple garter around her leg. “Will you stop fighting with it? I’ll help you as soon as I’m done. Besides, this was what you wanted.”

  “This is impossible,” Ella said. “I swear I wasn’t in my right mind when I got this idea.”

  “Oh, quit it, you look wonderful,” Ashlee stated.

  Ella snorted, and Ashlee couldn’t suppress a laugh. The other bridesmaid, Brianne, hadn’t shown up yet, so she’d had to do everything from hair and make-up, to helping Ella into her gown. Add that to the list of things she had to do to get herself ready and impossible just about covered it.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late. Traffic in the city is horrific.” Brianne stormed through the door.

  Ashlee had to hold back a groan. When Ella had first introduced them and told them that she wanted them to be bridesmaids at her wedding, they were excited, but Ashlee didn’t particularly like Brianne either. She knew this was going to be a tense day, wedding aside, because there was bound to be feet stepped on.

  “Please say that you can do my hair, too,” Brianne begged, staring at Ashlee expectantly.

  “Of course.” Looking back in the mirror, she put on her best fake smile. “I just have to finish up with mine. Ella’s took about an hour, so I’m a little behind.”

  Ella was studying her, probably trying to consider what she was thinking and whether to say it aloud or not. Ashlee winked at her and continued fixing her hair.

  “So, who does Trevor have standing up with him?” The question irked Ashlee for reasons known to only her. Brianne hadn’t been part of any of the wedding planning. If she had, she’d know that Trevor’s brother Michael, and his father, were standing in for him. Then there’s the small detail of whether Michael was going to show up. They had left that little unknown from Ella, worrying that she’d freak out, which clearly wasn’t a challenge because she was already freaking out.

  “Michael and his dad,” Ella remained focused on the garter. Brianne slid up on the stool beside Ashlee, staring at her in the mirror.

  “That’s great. Michael hasn’t been back here in a while, has he?” Brianne tried to distract Ella from what was inevitably going to happen. Funny how everyone knew that there was a possibility of him not coming at all.

  Ella frowned as she threw the garter across the room. “No, he hasn’t. Trevor’s hoping he sticks around for a little while with their mom being sick. But, honestly, I don’t think he’s capable of it. He didn’t even come back when they first told him about the cancer, so why would he now?”

  What do you do when you’ve got nothing else? Ashlee kept the thoughts to herself. All she knew was that Michael had moved away for college, started his own business, and never came home. He kept in contact with his family but wasn’t fond of his hometown or the people here in Wilson Creek.

  On the day Ashlee moved here to help Ella recover from the assault Jake had done, she fell in love with the place. Wilson Creek was beautiful, small, and everything Ashlee had moved away from. Obviously, it wasn’t her hometown, but it was similar and made her comfortable. She had stayed with Ella for a while until Trevor moved in. Then she had found a small house that suited her, moved in, and here she was.

  “I have to go to the bathroom, then I’ll start on your hair.” Ashlee rushed out of the room, fighting off the tears that threatened to overflow. Closing the bathroom door, she leaned against it. Leaving her hometown had been her last choice; it wasn’t what she’d had planned. Marrying Nathan had been the plan, but life had other ideas.

  When the call had come that Nathan had been in a car accident, Ashlee’s world had tilted upside-down. Everything had gone gray and dull, and the light that she once carried had died. Rushing to the hospital, a doctor said she could see him, and she had to stifle the sobs when she entered the room. So many thoughts had gone through her mind that she couldn’t begin to imagine what was going to happen. Nathan had looked battered and broken, unable to keep his eyes open. Ashlee had wanted to help, take his pain away, but she couldn’t do that.

  “I love you, Ash,” Nathan had said to her. His breathing was harsh and he fought to hold on to her. “I will always love you. Continue with your life and be happy. I hope you find someone who loves you as much as I do.” And then he was gone. Ashlee sat beside his bed and cried for what seemed like hours, but was only minutes. The doctors had come into the room and called her mother to come get her. A few days later was his funeral and she had completely fallen apart. Since then, she hadn’t been with anyone, keeping to herself. No one had even struck an interest in her, so she thought it was for the best.

  A loud knock on the door snapped her out of her daydream. “Ashlee, are you alright?” It was Ella’s voice through the door, sounding worried. She doesn’t need this on her wedding day.

  “Be right there,” she replied. Getting to her feet, she checked her make-up in the mirror and took a deep breath. Throw a pity party for yourself later. Opening the door, she slammed into something as unmoving as concrete. She slipped and felt herself start to fall.

  She thought she heard a few foul words thrown together, but that was likely her own voice, not someone else’s. Her head smacked the floor, thankfully softened from the hairstyle she wore. When she opened her eyes, she thought she was back to daydreaming. The man standing over her had ice blue eyes and broad shoulders.

  “Are you all right?” His deep voice said. Ashlee just stared. His eyes were piercing through her. Oh, Lord. Not a dream. If it were, there wouldn’t be a surge of desire racing through her system. At least she hoped there wouldn’t be.

  “You fell and hit your head pretty hard. Can I look?”

  “No, I’m fine. It’s just a bump on the head.” There was a dull ache at her temple, but she tried to get up anyways. The man in front of her swayed slightly. When he reached out to steady her, there was a fluttering in all her limbs. Was her reaction from attraction to this man or nausea from hitting her head? She didn’t know the answer to that question, so she didn’t ponder it.

  “You really shouldn’t move so fast.”

  “I’m fine.” She pushed against his chest with her hand, feeling his abs through his shirt. She couldn’t resist, so she left her hand there longer than necessary. Ashlee noticed when he took a sharp breath. She pulled away and couldn’t move fast enough.

  “I have to go finish Brianne’s hair.” She pushed him aside and he let her go.

  “I really don’t think you should…” She shrugged through the doorway of the dressing room. Ella and Brianne’s eyes instantly turned to hers.

  “Sorry about that,” she stated. Ella had a knowing look on her face, aimed directly at Ashlee. She ignored it and started on Brianne’s hair.

  “So, Ash, now that you’ve met Michael, what do you think?”

  If her head would’ve whipped around an
y faster, she probably would’ve given herself whiplash. Bad enough she probably had a small concussion from running into… That’s when it all snapped into place.

  “I ran into Michael in the hallway? That’s who that was?” Ella smiled, her lips pulling up and reaching her eyes. Ashlee knew that look. It meant Ella was planning something and it usually wasn’t good, or at least she didn’t agree with it.

  “Yep. That was Trevor’s little brother.”

  Ashlee turned back to the mirror. Even Brianne was smirking at her. She could feel the heat creeping up her neck and face, unable to hide it behind her hair. Instead of answering, she just kept working. Maybe if she ignores it, they’ll leave her alone.

  “He’s pretty hot, huh?”

  She shrugged. “I guess. I mean I only ran into him coming out of the bathroom. He was just kind of there.”

  Brianne chuckled and Ashlee wanted to wound her hair a little too tight. “That’s why you touched his chest for, like, five minutes, right?”

  “I was pushing him out of the way! It had nothing to do with his physical appearance.”

  This time Ella chuckled and Ashlee had to groan. “You two are impossible. Tag-teaming me isn’t going to change anything, so why not let it go?”

  Turns out, they were just getting started.

  Chapter Two

  Michael thought about the woman he had run into upstairs while he was waiting for the ceremony to start. He’d known coming back to town was bound to bring problems, but he never thought he’d meet someone who speckled green and gold eyes, and sexy body would be a distraction. There was something about the woman, the way she held herself, that had Michael interested. When she had touched him, the air had crackled. He could see it in her face that she’d felt it, too, but she had run away, captivating Michael.

  He was staring off into space when Trevor slapped him on the back a little hard than necessary. He knew his family was upset with him, but he didn’t think they’d be this harsh.

  “You okay over here? From across the lawn, it looked as if you were in pain or thinking very hard.” Trevor ran his hands through his hair and straightened his tie. Michael never thought he’d see the day when Trevor got married, especially not to Ella. “You know, we all had our doubts on whether you’d show up? Ella’s the only one who didn’t doubt you. I guess you should thank her for that.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’ve been wondering, though. Why’d you come back now instead of when I called you about mom?”

  “Can we not talk about this now? I get it, Trevor, I do. Chill out.” Trevor was two years older than Michael, and right now he was giving him the same narrow-eyed stare that he’d seen many times while they were growing up. “I think you should take a shot of whiskey or something.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” Michael found the bartender and ordered two shots. Straight. Trevor had always been a hard ass, and Michael supposed he had to be, growing up with their father. “So, are you staying for a little while after the wedding, or are you going back home to the west coast?”

  He knew he should stay for a bit and not be an ass to his family. He’d never asked any of them how bad his mother was truly getting. But just as Trevor had no problem calling him all hours of the day and night, he knew he’d expected him to leave right afterward.

  “Hey, Trevor.” The woman from upstairs stepped up beside them. Each of the pins in her hair stood out with the sunshine reflecting off them. Her dress was slim fitting and sexy as hell.

  “Hey, Ashlee. Is Ella a nervous wreck yet or is that your job today, too?” With her hands on her hips, she smirked at Trevor. She waved her hand.

  “Guilty. Ella has remained decently calm. She freaked out a little this morning because she couldn’t get her garter on herself. Tough with that dress she has. But, crisis averted, I had to do it.” She ran her hands up her arms, eyeing Trevor and Michael, then looking away. “You haven’t missed anything, trust me.”

  “I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” Michael had decided to take the leap since it didn’t appear that she was going to. He’d ended up against her upstairs, practically assaulting her and giving her a concussion. Michael was a gentleman and wanted to keep an eye on her today. He’d been thinking about nothing but her anyways.

  “Ashlee, this is my brother Michael. Michael, this is Ella’s friend Ashlee. She moved here about a year ago when Ella was recovering.” Trevor noticeably stiffened. “I forgot you guys hadn’t met yet. I’m sorry.”

  “Nice to meet you, Michael. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She arched her brow at him and smirked. She was playing games, was she? Two could do that.

  Michael shrugged. “I’m sure it’s all been lies. My family tends to exaggerate a lot. Where’d you move here from?” He couldn’t help but think of the way she’d left her hand lay on his chest for a few extra, unnecessary seconds, and the way her face turned a light shade of red. She was easily embarrassed, but not afraid to express herself. Michael liked it.

  “I’m going to find mom. You two can keep talking.” Trevor handed Michael his empty shot glass and walked away.

  “Interested in another drink, Michael?” Ashlee asked.

  “Not anymore. I mean, yes, but… You know what, just forget I said that. And for the record, I don’t get tongue-tied often. You should take that as a compliment.” Michael watched as the color slowly rose up her neck and into her cheeks. He had fully intended on causing that reaction, but he couldn’t grasp what it was about her that intrigued him.

  “I see that look in your eyes, Michael. The one that says ‘I’m interested.’ I don’t need a man complicating things for me.” Michael held her gaze a little too long. One of his downfalls, he never stayed in any one place to have a relationship. Ashlee deserved more than he could even offer her.

  Michael was aware of his reputation with women, and his legal issues now didn’t help matters much. Lasting relationships had never been his thing. Rather, he didn’t like to complicate great sex with feelings and emotions. Women? Whole different ballpark than where he wanted to be involved. Meeting Ashlee made him begin to wander why he chose that route, though.

  “I’ll take that hint and I’ll back off.” Michael held up his hands in defeat. Their mother had raised them right. She’d taught them not to push their nose where it wasn’t wanted, and it was quite clear Ashlee didn’t want a man in her life. At least she didn’t know that’s what she wanted yet. His mind was being traitorous today of all days.

  “I’ve heard about your… less than perfect reputation. I don’t need that in my life right now.”

  “Shit, Ashlee. My reputation has nothing to do with my interest in you. I just can’t figure out what is so fascinating about you.” He watched as she swallowed hard and looked away.

  “Your reputation doesn’t really have anything to do with why I don’t need anyone right now.” She patted his arm and turned away from him. “Let’s not play games, Michael. Neither of us is in the position for any type of relationship right now. I should go check on Ella. I’ll see you in a few.”

  Michael shook his head. He knew damn well what she was thinking. He worked over every little detail of their conversation, something he rarely did. The truth was, Ashlee wasn’t innocent – sexy and sweet, maybe, but not innocent. He planned on seeing just how much of her rebellious side he could talk out of her tonight. Most of the time he didn’t follow his gut instincts, but right now, thinking things through, he realized that he had a better idea.

  “Daydreaming or something son?” His father’s voice came from behind him.

  “Hell no. I just need to sit and breath for a few. Jet lag and all that. Trevor chose a hell of a time to have a wedding. It’s a little chilly out here.”

  “Nice to know you still have some feelings left.” Michael cringed at his dad’s words, then ground his teeth together. “Your mother’s not doing good, son. Why didn’t you come sooner? If you’d came when we first…”

  “Sorry, dad. You know I love all of you and care about
what’s going on, and yeah, maybe I should have come home.” Michael shoved his hands in his pockets and loosened his jaw. “Don’t start today, please. Today is about Ella and Trevor. If you want to hash it out tomorrow, I’m all ears.”

  “Yeah,” his father grinned. “At least you’re staying one more day. Your mom wants to have everyone over for dinner. You like talking to Ashlee?” His father had a sly grin on his face.

  “She’s Ella’s friend. Yea, I enjoyed the conversation.” He rubbed his face with a sigh. “My reputation for dating every woman I’ve met put a strain between her and me, though.”

  “It sure as hell better,” his dad bellowed out. Michael might have stepped back, but he’d learned from early on that it was never a good idea. Their father may be getting older, but he could still chase them down and haul their asses to their rooms. Part of their childhood was making sure neither of them became the gossip of the town. That wasn’t suited for them, their mother used to say. Michael had changed, though. He’d been restless as a child, unable to stay attached to one thing for too long. Since hearing about his mother’s illness, though, his restlessness had calmed and he’d started to focus more. Michael had always liked working with his hands, building things, creating things that no one else had. He’d never liked being told what to do, so moving around a lot just fit. But he was ready to make some changes. Where was this coming from?

  His personal life and settling down had never been within his thought process before, so why was it appearing now? His inability to stay with one woman, not get bored in one place, kept his life interesting, but not reliable. Opening himself up to someone else and telling them things that even he didn’t understand, and he had no idea how to go about doing any of it anyways. Sounds like hell.

  His dad was still standing there silently, watching him fume with his thoughts. “I’ve got to run and get your mother. You may want to go back in for the lineup, the wedding is about to start. Just take it easy with Ashlee, that’s all. Her past isn’t the best, and I don’t think she’s ready to share that or herself with anyone. Don’t push it, Michael.”