Everyone cheered, and Nancy wore a smug expression. I had nothing to do with landing that role. Nancy did with the strings she pulled with whomever it was she knew. It was her way of keeping me in New York and away from Amelia.
“Then we need to celebrate. Come on. Join us for some fun, won’t you?” Linda said. She was one of Nancy’s best friends.
I had sent Amelia a text and still hadn’t heard from her. I had a sneaky feeling she was with that asshole Wade.
Damn it. Why am I so jealous of this guy?
“I’ll play. Why not?”
It didn’t take long before I was halfway drunk, and a part of me was saying the forbidden words so I could have an excuse to get wasted. I was glad I’d gotten the part, but pissed I wasn’t in Texas with Amelia. Nancy kept flirting with some guy named Rich. I had no fucking clue who he was. All I knew was she was doing her best to make me jealous and for some reason, it was working.
I placed my winning hand on the table and looked straight at Nancy. “Strip.”
Standing, she pulled her shirt off to reveal she hadn’t been wearing a bra. Her tits bounced, and Rich reached up to cup them. “Are they real?” he asked as everyone around the table laughed.
Reaching for the bottle of whiskey, I poured myself another shot. This was going to be a long night.
My eyes snapped open when I heard Amelia’s voice. It came from out in the apartment, where people were still partying.
“Is Liam around?”
“Yeah, he’s in his room.”
I sat up and looked to my right. Nancy was sprawled out in my bed, naked.
“What in the fuck?” I muttered.
My head was pounding. I couldn’t remember a damn thing from last night. The last thing I remembered was losing a hand at poker and having to take off my strides.
Shit. Fuck. I slept with Nancy.
The door to my bedroom opened, and I glanced over to see Amelia standing there. She looked between Nancy and me and slowly nodded her head.
“Wait, Amelia, it’s not what you think!”
“It’s pretty clear, Liam. Why don’t you get dressed? I’ll meet you at the coffee shop across the street.”
She shut the door, and Nancy rolled over. “Well, talk about busted.”
“What in the fuck did you do?” I asked as I jumped out of the bed and searched for something to put on.
“Me? I didn’t do a damn thing, Liam. You’re the one who told me you needed to fuck me. And fuck me, did you ever.”
I groaned. “Jesus Christ. Nancy, you knew I was seeing Amelia.”
“Was that an exclusive thing? You barely just met her.”
“If you fucked up this job for me…”
Nancy frowned. “Job? Liam, did you just hear yourself?”
I stopped moving. I had talked about my job rather than hurting Amelia. Christ. What was wrong with me?
“I’ve got to go. Amelia is waiting.”
Slipping on a pair of shoes, I quickly made my way to the coffee shop. I hadn’t brushed my teeth or even splashed water on my face. I was regretting that more than anything.
The door chimed when I walked in, and Amelia faced me. She didn’t look angry. In fact, she looked almost relieved.
“Amelia, let me explain.”
Holding up a hand, she replied, “Don’t. Liam, this wasn’t ever going to work. It’s pretty clear you still have feelings for Nancy. I should have seen it from the beginning. We had fun, it was an adventure being with you here in New York. You got me to do things I probably never would have done, but I think we both know this is over. Even before you slept with Nancy, it was over. I planned on telling you when you came to Texas, and when you canceled, I knew I had to fly up here and end things.”
The girl behind the counter called out two black coffees. Amelia took them both and handed me one. “Here, you look like hell.”
I laughed. “I feel like it. I don’t remember anything about last night. I didn’t mean to sleep with Nancy. I didn’t want to hurt you. I guess this explains why you were so calm when you walked into my room.”
Amelia gave me a sweet smile. “Liam, I think we both know what we had going on was nothing serious. You can’t build a relationship on great sex.”
“Great sex, huh?” I said, wiggling my brows.
“Yes. I’m not going to lie. That was some of the best sex of my life, and it was also a rush to do something I’d never really done before. Sure, I’ve slept with guys, but I’ve always known them beforehand. With you, it was different. Almost like a dare to myself. A few forbidden moments to go wild and crazy.”
“You liked the toilet sex, I take it.”
We both laughed. “It was a rush, like I said. But that’s all it was. I only want to be honest with you. I don’t have feelings for you. At least, not the kind that make me think we have a future together.”
I nodded. “Friends still?”
“Of course. Plus, you’ve still got three more books in my series to record! You’re the perfect James.”
“Thank you, Amelia. Listen, I’m sorry I acted like a jealous ass with this Wade character.”
She shrugged. “No worries. So, what’s really going on with you and Nancy?” she asked while sipping her coffee.
My hand pushed through my hair. “Hell if I know. She’s driving me crazy. I do love her. A part of me will always love her.” I took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. “But she’s manipulative. I don’t think that is a relationship I can honestly go back to.”
Amelia leaned back in her chair. “What are you going to do?”
“I think I’m going to go home for a few weeks.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? What about the new role you landed?”
I shrugged. “My eyes have been opened this morning. Maybe this isn’t the life I wanted after all.”
Amelia reached for my hand. “Follow your heart, Liam. Sometimes our dreams have been staring us right in the face, and we’ve chosen to ignore them for whatever reason. Your heart will never lead you the wrong way.”
“Spoken like someone who has found her path.”
Amelia’s smile faded some. “No. But hopefully someday I’ll stumble upon it. I’ve come to realize that it’s easier to write words about happiness than it is to make your own.”
I reached for her other hand, and we sat there smiling at one another. “You’re an amazing woman, Amelia Parker. You’re worth more than some asshole begging you for phone sex. Someday you’re going to meet a man who will treat you the way you deserve. Don’t settle for anything less. Promise me that.”
She blushed. “Thank you, Liam. And I promise I won’t. I’m not so sure love is in the cards for me, but I won’t give up.”
“He’s out there, and he’s not one of your fictional characters. Follow your own advice, sweetheart. He’s probably right in front of you, and you just haven’t opened your heart to him.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she cleared her throat. “I’m stealing that and putting it in a book!”
Kissing both her hands, I replied, “Do it. But please remember it, okay?”
Nodding, she added, “You do the same. You’re a great guy, Liam. Any girl would be lucky to capture your heart.” Amelia stood. “I guess I should probably head out to the airport.”
I followed her lead, guiding her out of the coffee shop with a hand on her lower back. “See ya around?”
Reaching up on her toes, she kissed me gently on the lips. “See ya around.”
With a wave, I got a taxi to pull over for her. “I’m sorry you came all this way.”
She slid into the back seat and looked up at me. Those big, bright blue eyes sparkled. “I’m not.”
“Bye, Amelia Parker.”
Sinking her teeth into that lower lip, she smiled big. “Bye, Liam Jones.”
As the taxi drove off, I lifted my hand again. I would never forget Amelia Parker. Those blue eyes and red hair would forever be ingrained in my memory. She was the w
oman who showed me it was okay to want more out of love and life.
I brought my horse to a stop and gazed over the hill country. Storm clouds slowly covered the sky. Thunder rumbled closer as I waited for heaven to rain down on me.
“You do know a storm is coming, right?”
The sound of her voice did something to me. I hadn’t really put my finger on it yet, because I refused to go there. First off, she had a boyfriend. Second, she was Trevor’s baby sister.
“I do.”
“You always leave yourself open for lightning to strike you?”
I glanced to my right and smiled at Amelia. She was on her precious horse, Stanley. “I could say the same thing about you. Why are you out here?”
She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Something about a storm clears my head. Besides, it’s still miles away.”
“Lightning can strike up to ten miles, ya know.”
Amelia turned in her saddle to look at me. “I’d say that storm was at least thirty, forty miles away.”
I lifted my brow. “You think?”
“Yep. I’m an expert when it comes to storm clouds.”
A hint of sadness was evident in her voice. I looked away. “Yeah, me too. I’d say it’s closer to thirty.”
“Just enough time for us to get back.”
Drawing Rio back by the reins, I turned around. “What are you doing here? I thought you went to New York to visit your boyfriend.”
Amelia let out a curt laugh. “Liam wasn’t my boyfriend. We had a bit of fun together, but that was all it was ever going to be.”
I kept my expression tight. There was no way I would let myself celebrate the fact that she let that asshole go. I’d save it for later when she wasn’t around.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. I’m not. I never felt anything for Liam but attraction. He’s a great guy, but he wasn’t the guy.”
Thank fuck. Amelia deserved better than some schmuck who was only interested in sex.
“I guess it’s good you figured that out before it was too late.”
She laughed. “Yeah. So how are things going? Are you settling in with everything?”
“I am.” We rode next to one another as the storm moved in closer. “Your parents are amazing. First, your dad had the foreman’s cabin fumigated and now he is insisting on updating everything. He really doesn’t have to go through all the trouble.”
“He wants to. Besides, it needed some new paint. It was remodeled a few years back, but Daddy never replaced the old crap furniture.”
Letting out a chuckle, I replied, “Well, I would have been fine with it.”
“Have you been to Cord’s to sing yet?”
“Nah. We’re all going out tonight, though.”
“Who’s we all?”
“Your brothers. I guess it’s the first time in a while they’ve all had the same night off.”
Amelia whistled. “Ah hell, look out. All five Parker boys out at the same time…and with you. The girls will be swarming tonight.”
“Very funny.”
“Wade, have you not been out yet with all my brothers?”
I shrugged. “Trevor and I have gone out.”
“Take that and multiply it by five…no, six. Six hot guys, most of them on the prowl, and the women come out of the woodwork.”
“You think I’m hot?”
She was looking straight ahead, and then her head snapped over to look at me. She faked a shock expression. “Did I say that?”
Tipping my cowboy hat at her, I replied, “Yes, ma’am, you did.”
With a half-hearted shrug, she added, “I mean, you’re decent lookin’, I guess.”
“I’ll take it. What about you and Waylynn? Would y’all like to join us?”
“That might be just what the doctor ordered for both of us.”
“Now, don’t feel obligated. I don’t want to cramp your style. Two beautiful women in the company of five hot guys and one half-decent looking one.”
Amelia fought to hold her smile back. “You think I’m beautiful, Wade?”
Our eyes locked. “Yes, I do, darlin’.”
Her smile faded.
Shit, that came out too soon. I don’t want to scare her away.
Pressing her lips together, she asked, “Can I show you something?”
I grinned. “Of course, you can.”
She kicked her horse lightly and started off in a trot. “It’s right up here.”
We were soon going down a path and an old cabin appeared.
“Wow.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “I know. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I slid off of Rio and draped his reins over his neck.
The smile Amelia wore was contagious. She grabbed my hand and hauled me up the porch. She unlocked the door and walked us in.
“This is beautiful,” I said.
“The cabin,” she whispered. “I have written a lot of books here. I love it. My thinking is clearer here. Well, when my damn brothers aren’t bringing women here to fuck.”
I swallowed hard. The sound of that word coming from her lips instantly made my dick hard.
“I can see why you’d love to write here. It’s very inspiring.”
The way she looked at me made my chest tighten. Her eyes turned dark, and I could have sworn she had naughty thoughts running through that pretty little head of hers.
“It’s very inspiring.” Her teeth dug into her lip. If we stayed in this cabin much longer I was afraid I might do or say something I couldn’t take back.
Finally, she broke eye contact. “Anyway, you’re more than welcome to come here if you want.”
My brows pulled together. I wanted to ask what made her think I’d need to come to the cabin.
“I’m just saying it’s a nice escape. You know if you wanted to disappear for a bit, this is the place to go. The key is under the mat if you ever…want…something. Um, if you want to…get um…”
It was cute as fucking hell how she was stumbling over her words. I wouldn’t have thought Amelia Parker was one to stumble over anything.
“Get lost?” I asked.
She pointed and jumped. “Yes! Get lost.”
I nodded.
“You want to race back to the house?” she asked, changing the subject before the sexual tension in the room grew.
I let a crooked grin spread over my face. “You don’t think you could beat me, do you?”
Her hands went to her hips. “Think? Oh, Mr. Adams, I know I can.”
We were soon back on our horses, making our way into the pasture. I kicked Rio and took off as Amelia yelled out, “Cheater!”
“Dude, why do you keep staring at the door? You waiting for someone?” Trevor asked.
“No. I’m not waiting for anyone.”
Trevor grinned. “Good. Look around, brother. Endless pussy at your disposal. You walk up to any of them, and I promise you’ll get some. Even if it’s only a hand job.”
I laughed and took a long drink of my beer. “You haven’t changed a damn bit, Parker.”
“Learned it from the best.”
Trevor pointed to the dance floor and his brother, Cord. He was currently sucking the face off of a blonde. His hands roamed all over her ass as they danced.
“And if you need more proof.” He pointed to Mitchell who was talking to a girl who looked like she was ready to drop to her knees for him.
I glanced around our table to find Steed and Tripp talking. Steed wasn’t about to step out on Paxton, and Tripp was in a relationship with Corina. Or at least I thought he was. I still wasn’t sure on that whole thing.
“Why aren’t you out there?” I asked Trevor.
“I’m waiting.”
“Waiting?”
Trevor nodded and placed his beer to his mouth.
“For?” I asked.
“The girl I know will be a sure hook-up. I haven’t had a decent fuck in a few weeks. I need to relea
se some steam.”
I shook my head. “You don’t ever get tired of one-night stands, Trev?”
He looked at me like I’d lost my damn mind. “Hell, no. And bite your tongue. If you had any sense, you’d be looking, as well.”
After taking a look around the bar, I knew there were plenty of attractive women to pick from. I was positive I could easily get laid tonight, but I wasn’t interested in a mindless hook-up. I wasn’t interested in anything, to be honest.
Maybe there was something wrong with me.
“Look at the chick down at the end of the bar. She hasn’t stopped eye fucking you since you walked in. Go dance with her.”
“I’m not interested in a hook-up, Trev. Besides, what would I do? Bring her back to your parents’ place?”
“Have you ever heard of the back seat of your truck?”
I stared at Trevor. “Are you serious? You’re still screwing women in the back seat of your truck?”
“Hey, if they’re up for it, so am I.”
“Evening, boys.”
Trevor, Steed, Tripp, and I looked over to Waylynn.
Steed stood and kissed his sister on the cheek. “Hey, sis. You look nice.”
Waylynn blushed. She did look nice. She had on a long skirt and a blouse that hinted at how nice her body was underneath it all.
“Hey, glad you made it. Where’s Meli?” Tripp asked. Waylynn pointed to the bar.
My mouth dropped when I saw her.
“What in the fuck is she wearing?” Trevor said as he stood.
“Oh, settle down. She just has on jean shorts and a shirt.”
“I can see her ass!” Tripp said. “She needs to change.”
Waylynn laughed. “Okay, which one of you is going to tell her that?”
“I will,” Steed said. “She doesn’t need to be dressing like that. Look how nice you look and you’re covered up…kind of.”
Waylynn raised a brow. “The girl is twenty-two years old. I’m thirty-two. That’s why I’m in the long skirt, and she’s pulling off the daisy duke shorts.”
Trevor punched me in the chest.
“Ouch. What in the fuck, dude?”
“Stop staring at my sister like that, you asshole.”
“What? I wasn’t staring at her.”
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