Page 62 of Rio's Release

“Coming right up, darlin’.” The man moves off to make my drink.

I spin on my stool to face Rio, and he captures my knees in his hands.

“I’m glad you came.”

“Me, too. I don’t know what I was so worried about.”

“I do. I get it. It’s been a long time. I’m sure you’re wondering if I’m the man you remember. I plan to prove to you I am.” He tilts his head. “There was a spark between us all those years ago, and I think we both know it’s still there, don’t we?”

I glance away.

“Don’t be shy with me, Shelby.”

“I’m trying. It’s all so new—this world of yours.”

“I get that.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his thumb stroking along my cheek, and I turn into his hand when it cups my face. “It means a lot that you came. I want you to feel comfortable here and safe. No one is going to disrespect you in this clubhouse. I promise you that. So, relax. I just wanted us to have some time to spend together. You used to open up to me in all those letters you wrote. I want us to get that back.”

“It’s hard. It’s been so long. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday, and sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has changed.”

“I haven’t, and you’re still beautiful. Maybe more so. You were so young that day I first met you.”

“Fresh out of high school. A lot is different now.”

He studies my eyes, and he sees the change in me. I know he does, even when I try to hide it. He’s the only man I’ve let touch me in a long time. He alone is able to break through the protective walls I use to keep men away.

There’s an edge to me now, a loss of innocence that wasn’t there before. Gone is the naivete and the belief that there is good in everyone.

“I want to hear everything, Shelby. All that’s happened to you in the past years.”

Something in me closes down. I’ve resisted sharing anything for so long, I’m not even sure I can do it. I’m not sure I want to. The minute I do, it will change everything. I won’t be the same girl he remembers. Everything will be different.

Our drinks are delivered, and he picks his up. “Here’s to us and to time I was afraid I’d never have with you.”

We drink the first one quickly as I nervously chat about the store and the weather and everything except anything personal, until the alcohol begins to take the edge off.

Rio snaps his fingers, motioning to our drinks, and the man behind the bar brings us two fresh ones. “So, you like the place?”

“I love it,” I say, glancing around.

“Glad to hear it. I have to admit, I had you in the back of my mind when designing the place. I wanted you to be comfortable here.”

“You did?”

“Yep.”

I don’t know how to answer that. It’s like he’s planned his future to include me, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I’m halfway through my second drink when I spot something against the far wall and perk up. “You have a jukebox?”

“Yes, ma’am. Go play something.”

I pick my glass up and stroll over to select some music. It’s an old machine that’s loaded with CDs. I flip through them. Some are contemporary and some are from decades past. Most of them are hard driving party songs, but I find a few that aren’t. One grabs my attention, and I select it.

Soon, a slow driving beat fills the room. I can’t help but lift my arms over my head and twist to the music as Alannah Myles singsBlack Velvetin a smooth, soulful voice.

Rio leans against a post, watching me with a smile.

“I always loved this song,” I say. “My mother used to play it all the time. It was one of her favorites. I can remember her dancing in the kitchen to it. I’m surprised you have it on here.”

“I bought this thing used. It was filled with all that music.”

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