by Anya Nowlan
“Sounds like a great dad,” Riley said, her thoughts drifting to Max.
Once they had arrived at the ranch, he had scooped up his adorable baby girl, said something about naptime, and quickly disappeared while Riley got wrapped into a hug by Addison. And she couldn’t get him out of her mind.
“He is pretty great,” Addison nodded. “And he’s single.”
“That’s not what I was getting at,” Riley rolled her eyes.
“I’m just saying…” Addison trailed off.
“I’m not here to date,” Riley said. “Besides, I’m only here for a week, tops.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought when I got here,” Addison said with a wistful smile.
“That’s different,” Riley replied. “You and Gage are literal soul mates, which by the way, I still haven’t really wrapped my head around. He just knew you were the one?”
“Yup,” Addison grinned. “It’s s shifter thing. But I knew, too, even if I didn’t want to admit it. It’s kind of hard to explain, but when I met him, there was this instant connection, and a feeling of finally arriving home.”
“Now you’re the last person I ever expected to hear say something like that,” Riley laughed.
“I know, right?” Addison chuckled. “But once you feel it, there’s no room for skepticism anymore.”
Riley could feel that nervousness she had initially felt around Max come back and coil in her stomach, making her fidget. There was something special about Max, and listening to Addison talk about her relationship stirred a longing inside her she had thought she had buried.
There was enough hurt in her past that being attracted to someone immediately made her cautious. And she knew even if the attraction was mutual, it didn’t really matter. She was just here for a long overdue vacation, and there was no reason to complicate things.
“I’m happy for you, Addy,” she said. “And your law office is still doing well, too?”
“Better than I had expected, actually,” Addison replied. “I made it a point not to overextend myself, but lately I’ve still been pretty busy. People know my name from… Well, you know. And that’s made me pretty popular.”
Ah, yes, the scandal that had brought Addison to Black Oak in the first place. Getting off an arrogant rich playboy accused of murdering his saintly wife had come with a cost, and that cost had been a pretty violent public outcry.
No one had seemed to care Addison had just been doing her job, and that her boss had been the one to actually take the case and develop the trial strategy. With death threats pouring in and press hounding her and Gage’s brother everywhere they went, Addison and Reid, her boss, had sought refuge in secluded little Black Oak.
In the end, only one of them had returned to Chicago.
“The fact that you’re a damn good lawyer probably doesn’t hurt, either,” Riley commented.
“Takes one to know one,” was all that Addison said in response.
“Don’t you miss it, though?” Riley asked. “The hustle and bustle, the big city, being part of the crowd?”
“It has its allure, sure,” Addison admitted. “But I’ve found a peace and sense of community here that I could never give up. This is my home now.”
They chatted for a good while longer, catching up and swapping stories, until Riley could finally no longer ignore the jet lag and general sense of exhaustion. Addison could probably see it in her face, and made quick work of ushering her upstairs so she could get some rest.
“You can meet Gage later, he’s not going anywhere,” she said, when Riley had protested.
There wasn’t enough fight left in Riley to argue further, so she sank into the bed Addison had made up for her, the quiet all around her unfamiliar at first, but soon becoming comforting.
As she curled up under the covers, slowly starting to drift off, she couldn’t help but think of the fact she’d probably be seeing more of Max in the coming days. Was it foolish that she was looking forward to it?
Probably, she thought, before sleep claimed her.
Six
Max
Crouching low, Max trailed Olivia as the little girl waddled around the backyard, kicking out her little feet with every step. Once in a while, something would catch her attention and make her abruptly change course, leaning this way and that way before regaining some balance.
It was his day off, and both Addison and Gage had gone into town, Addison to her office and Gage to run some errands. So he had a whole day to spend with his daughter, and he was going to make the most of it.
“Where are you going?” he asked, as Olivia tottered along. “Do you want to go see the horses?”
“’orses,” Olivia repeated, struggling to fully pronounce the word.
“That’s right, horses,” Max said. “Or maybe we should find your ball? Yes? No?”
Olivia seemed to consider that for a moment, and Max couldn’t help but chuckle at the very serious expression on the little girl’s face.
“It is an important decision,” Max said. “So what’s it going to be?”
“Yes,” Olivia said, even though she was already plopping down on the ground to study a small flower peeking out from the grass.
Behind him, he could hear the door of the main house open and fall shut, and someone’s light steps slowly approach. Max knew who it was from the scent – warm, sweet, with a hint of something floral. There was no perfume to interrupt with it now, and he couldn’t stop himself from taking in a deep breath.
Angling himself around, he sat down next to Olivia and looked up at Riley, the sun warm on his back. Clad in a knee-length, long-sleeved dress that perfectly hugged her curves, Riley looked a little overdressed, both for the ranch and the weather.
“Hey, there,” she said, looking rested and absolutely delicious.
“Hey,” Max replied. “Say hi, Livvie,” he prompted his little girl.
Barely looking up, Olivia babbled something that vaguely resembled a hello, before going back to the very important task of studying her flower. Riley laughed.
“Hello, Olivia,” she said.
“Sorry, I guess you’re not that interesting,” Max teased.
Riley made a shocked face, but her smile didn’t leave her face. Stepping closer, she sat down close to him, folding her knees beneath her. Her wild hair had been tamed, braided down her back and pinned down at the sides.
“She’s not wrong there,” Riley admitted.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Max argued. “I’m pretty interested.”
The words came out on their own, before he could really think about how it sounded, or how it might be interpreted. But Riley’s smile made him forget all about his doubts. All he wanted was to know more about her.
His bear was on edge, almost as if pushing him closer to Riley. Max had to swallow back a growl as his eyes slid over Riley’s body, the swell of her hips and breasts. Even sitting on the grass, her posture was perfect, and he found her cool and collected vibe sexy as hell.
“Addison must have mention I’m a lawyer, too,” Riley said.
“Yeah, but that’s about all she said,” he replied. “She also called you beautiful. But since I have eyes, that’s not exactly information I couldn’t have gathered on my own.”
“Why, Max,” she said with some exaggeration. “I do believe that is a compliment.”
“You got me,” he couldn’t help but grin.
The sparks between them were hard to ignore, and without even realizing it, Max had ventured into flirting territory. It felt too natural for him to stop. And seeing the glint in Riley’s eye, he didn’t want to.
As they continued to talk, Olivia turned her attention to them, crawling closer to Max as she looked up at Riley with large, curious eyes.
“I think I just got more interesting,” Riley remarked. “I’m Riley, nice to meet you,” she added, smiling at the baby girl.
Max watched as Olivia still looked slightly apprehensive. Glancing from him to Riley, his daughter seemed
to be making up her mind about something. Finally, she got back on her feet to take a couple of wobbly steps toward Riley.
Riley caught Olivia when she started to teeter dangerously, and gently sat the baby down on her lap.
“Hey, cutie,” Riley cooed.
That went over well with Olivia, as she suddenly started giggling, craning her neck to get a better look at Riley.
“Seems you’re not half bad at compliments, either,” Max remarked.
“It’s not hard when you’re just being honest,” she replied. “Right, Olivia?” she added, lightly tickling the little girl.
Bursting out in another fit of giggles, Olivia wriggled around in her lap. Max was surprised Olivia had warmed up to Riley so quickly. It had taken a couple of days until she had stopped looking at Addison with reticence.
“So, how’s your vacation going so far?” Max asked. “Missing Chicago yet?”
“Oh, god,” Riley nearly moaned, making his body instantly perk up with attention. “Not at all. I don’t think I’ve slept this well in ages. Being away from work helps, of course, but it’s just so… quiet here. No distractions. I feel like I can really hear my thoughts again.”
“It’s a good place for that,” Max agreed.
“Is that why you came back?” Riley asked.
“It kind of is, actually,” he replied. “I can’t think of a better place to raise a family. I have a support system here I didn’t have back in Carson City. And it’s a fresh start for me and Olivia.”
For a moment, Riley looked like she wanted to ask him something, maybe about why he had had to do it all on his own back in Carson City, but she thought better of it, opting to focus her attention on Olivia instead.
“Well, you have the cutest daughter, and I’m sure your fresh start is going to go great,” she said.
Squirming, Olivia wriggled out of her lap, probably bored with staying in one place for more than a minute. Those little legs of hers were actually faster than one would think, so when she started scurrying off, Max got to his feet, reaching out a hand for Riley.
She grabbed it, and he pulled her up, feeling her soft skin against his. A jolt of electricity rushed through him, and from the look on Riley’s face, she had to have felt the same thing.
“I have to go catch that little troublemaker,” Max finally said, backing away from her.
“Do you like horror movies?” Riley blurted out, before he could get too far.
Seeing the confused look on his face, she flushed for a moment.
“We’re having a movie night with Addison, if you’d like to join us,” she added.
“Sure,” he called out, before rushing off to catch up with Olivia.
He was actually glad to turn away from Riley. If he didn’t, she would have seen the embarrassing, goofy grin taking over his face.
Seven
Riley
It was already evening when Riley finally, officially met Gage Atherton. Burly, with thick stubble and dark eyes, he had the same powerful vibe that Max had, but seemed a little more closed off.
They shook hands as he welcomed her to their home.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Gage said. “Addison has been looking forward to visitors.”
“Thanks for having me,” she replied. “You have quite the place here.”
They exchanged a couple more pleasantries, and he was definitely a polite man, but Riley got a real impression of him once she saw him interact with Addison. He hugged and touched her at every moment, and as they moved around the kitchen getting ready for movie night – getting a bowl for the popcorn, glasses for the wine, and so on – they worked in perfect harmony.
It was plain as day these two were as in love as it got.
Smiling to herself, Riley hung back. It stung a little that what she saw in Addison and Gage, she had never experienced herself, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t happy for them. Deep down, she still believed her day would come, but her dating past had made her more than a little wary.
The list of jerks she had stumbled onto almost seemed too bad to be true. There was the guy who ghosted her after three months of dating and who she later found out was actually married. And the dude who lied about being a doctor because he felt intimidated by her being a successful lawyer.
The list went on. Yet among the smaller disappointments and heartbreaks, there was one that stood out. Ben. He had seemed so perfect on paper. Riley had been so sure that was the relationship that was going to work out.
That was of course before Ben had gotten arrested for scamming women out of their money.
After that, she had buried herself in her work, which hadn’t been that hard to do. But now, looking at how Gage whispered into Addison’s ear, making the woman’s laughter fill the kitchen, Riley felt like she was missing out.
“All right, ladies, I’ll leave you to it,” Gage said, kissing Addison on the cheek before giving Riley a friendly smile.
He disappeared upstairs after that. Addison was just filling a bowl with popcorn when Riley sidled up to her, chewing on her bottom lip.
“So, I kind of invited Max to movie night,” she admitted.
Addison cocked a brow at her, but didn’t look too surprised.
“Uh-huh,” she said. “And is there any particular reason you asked him to join us?”
Hesitating for a moment, Riley wasn’t sure she really knew the answer to that question. The invitation had just rolled off her lips, and now she couldn’t help but be excited at the prospect of seeing Max again.
“I was trying to be friendly,” Riley shrugged.
“Sure,” Addison drew out. “So you just want to be friends with him?”
Now that was a loaded question. From the look on Addison’s face, Riley knew the jig was up, and there was no point in her trying to lie to her friend anyway. Actually, she had been itching to talk to her about Max, but had held back since he was Gage’s friend, and therefore the situation was a little more sensitive.
“Okay, so I think he’s hot, all right?” Riley blurted out.
“If only all witnesses cracked as easily as you,” Addison just sighed. “Think how easy cross-examinations would be?”
“This is serious,” Riley groaned, pulling out a chair at the dining table and plopping down onto it. “I talked to him for like five minutes this morning and I’ve had butterflies in my stomach ever since. What am I, fourteen again?”
Addison chuckled, as she sat down next to her.
“And what’s so bad about being into Max?” she asked. “And why are butterflies bad? I know you have your share of assholes in your past, but Max is a good guy.”
“He very well might be, but I came here to de-stress, remember? But now I spent like a half an hour this morning fussing with my hair, just in case I ran into him. I even put on make-up. I’m supposed to be relaxing, enjoying nature, what the hell do I need mascara for?” she huffed. “I am the opposite of relaxed right now,” she added.
“But you’re also excited, aren’t you?” Addison asked with a knowing smile. “There’s good stress too, you know. The kind that makes you feel alive, and pushes you forward.”
“It’s just I don’t see the point in pursuing anything,” Riley replied. “And that’s not what this trip is supposed to be about, anyway.”
“Who cares about supposed to be,” Addison waved a hand.
Resting her elbow on the table, Riley gave her a long look.
“Who are you and what have you done with the woman who used to eat her burger with a knife and a fork?” she asked.
“I’m still me,” Addison replied with a laugh. “But I guess Gage has rubbed off on me. And living here has changed me. Weren’t you always the one to tell me I needed to cut loose? Now I’m telling you the same.”
“But…” Riley began to argue.
“No,” Addison cut her off. “I think you need to take this time for yourself to do whatever you want to do. Focus on the here and now. Don’t overthink it. You’re attracte
d to Max, so let that run its course. Go with what feels right.”
Taking a deep breath, Riley considered her friend’s words. When was the last time she just let herself be? It had been too long, she realized. She had a tendency to overcomplicate things, and when had that ever worked in her favor?
Maybe Addison was right. Why fight against her feelings when she could go with the flow, and embrace the thrill of being around someone that made her heart race? It didn’t have to be a big deal.
“You’re right,” she finally said.
“Usually am,” Addison joked. “Now, I’ll make some more popcorn, and then we can let Max know we’re ready for the movie.”
Riley nodded.
“Okay,” she said evenly.
Inside, though, she was as nervous as a teenager going on her first date.
Oh boy. Something tells me I’m going to have a hard time focusing on the movie.
Eight
Max
Max walked into Gage’s house, holding a baby monitor and wondering if this counted as a date or not. Seeing that Addison was there, it seemed unlikely. They were all just hanging out watching a movie. Then why was he so nervous?
Both Riley and Addison met him at the door, holding glasses of wine. Addison also had a beer in her hand, which she offered to him. He accepted.
“Ready to be scared?” she asked.
“Sure,” he replied.
“Just a heads up, I may squeal,” Riley said, giving him a grin.
Clad in jeans and a sweatshirt, she looked cozy and adorable, and Max could hardly tear his eyes away from her. He still remembered the outline of her luscious body from when he had seen her in that dress of hers in the morning, and his imagination was running wild.
“Consider me warned,” he managed to get out, his throat getting dry.
They filed into the living room after that, where bowls of popcorn were set out on the coffee table. Pillows and blankets were in a pile near the couch, and the TV was on, the movie all ready to go.