Page 66 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

My gaze once again drifts to Gabe, who watches us. His eyes meet mine while his lips tick up in a small smile. “For what it’s worth, I told him to call you. When he said the same thing to me about bothering you, I came because he needed someone.” He grabs his phone from the nightstand and shoves his feet into a pair of slippers. “I’ll go sleep on the couch.”

Gabe grabs a pillow and a throw blanket from the bed and squeezes Riley’s shoulder on the way past before closing the bedroom door softly behind him.

“You will never be a bother to me, Riley. Ever. Promise me you’ll come to me next time, no matter what. I spent almost two full days thinking I’d never have you to myself again. It was…horrible.”

That’s probably melodramatic, but Hunter was right that I let it get to my head. I’m so into this man, and the thought of having him out of my life after only one night didn’t sit well with me. He always answered me before, so my head went right to the worst-case scenario.

Riley takes my hand and leads me to the edge of the bed. After I sit, he wordlessly climbs into my lap and buries his face in my neck. My hands smooth up his back before wrapping tight around his waist and kissing his neck.

“My aunt fell and is in the hospital. She needs a hip replacement, and she looked so terrible. I thought I’d lose her. There’s so much to take care of for when she returns home. I have events still on the go and I called Gabe because….”

Riley sits back with shining eyes. “I’ve known him since forever and he’s like a brother to me. I didn’t want to drag you into all this when we’d only just started something.”

“Have I ever given you a reason to think I wouldn’t be there for you? Just because I’m at a rodeo doesn’t mean I can’t help. It caused me more stress not hearing from you, sweetheart. Ineededto hear from you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“When I left you that note to call anytime with anything, I meant it, Rye. I will come running and that’s not an exaggeration.”

I should be more angry at arriving here to find him in bed with another man. But my heart never led me astray that badly before. After the jolt of realizing there was another man here, I knew Riley wasn’t like that. Of course, it helped that Gabe spoke when he did and maintained the same calm demeanour I had.

If he hadn’t, I might have done something less… civil. Like punch him.

“You’re right, I should’ve called you. I just…I didn’t want to throw you off your game.”

Squeezing him tighter, I kiss his cheek.

“You’re forgiven, but please don’t keep things from me again. I told you I was in this all the way, didn’t I?” Riley nods and I sweep the hair back off his forehead. “I mean what I say. Always.”

Riley swallows and rests his head on my shoulder. “I should have known that, Jackson. Will you…will you stay?”

“I have no intention of going home alone, Rye.”

He nods and slides off me. Standing between my legs, he unbuttons my shirt. When I stand, he deftly takes care of the belt and unzips my pants, letting them puddle around my feet. He says nothing the entire time, but he doesn’t have to. Riley thinks he needs to make it up to me, that I need to be shown proof of his regret.

“Riley.” My voice is hoarse as he turns those gorgeous ocean blues on me. “I’m going to hold you all night and never let go. I’ve got you, beautiful. Let me help you.”

“Okay.” He exhales a shaky breath. “What did I do to deserve someone like you? If you were —”

“I’m not him, Riley. I promise you, this is how you deserve to be treated. Now get in bed and let me hold you until I have to leave for morning chores.”

“Are you always this bossy?”

“Not at all. I’m as laid back as they come, but something tells me I’ll need to speak up more with you to get my point across.”

We settle under the covers, and I pull him to my chest. Just like the night in his hotel, he fits like a missing piece, and for the first time since that night, I feel settled. Like everything will be right with the world if I have Riley in my arms.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispers, and I squeeze him closer.

“Me too.”

After kissing him on the cheek, I lie there until his breath evens out and he’s back asleep.

Then I do the same.

nineteen

Riley

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