Page 70 of Giddy-Up
“You need to be with your family.”Her mother continued.“Running around with that man, pretending to be a chef—”
“Stop!”Riley interrupted.“Just stop!”
She took it back.She didn’t want to hearthe whyanymore.She felt dumb enough as it was.So much so, she wasn’t even sure what upset her more.The fact that her mother had lied to get her back to Silver Valley.Or the sheer laziness of the lie.Making it pretty damn clear that she thought Riley was too stupid to work it out.
So what now?
That was the big question.Enough to cause her eyes to swell and her lips to tremble as she stood still.She’d given up everything for her mom.And as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t just run back to Woodvalley and beg Wade to take her back.It wasn’t right.Not after how badly she’d treated him.How could he ever forgive her?Or trust her again?
“Riley...”her mother tried but was swiftly cut off by a loud bang on the front door.
Both of their attention went to the hallway as another bang rang out.Then another.Riley was stomping out of the living room moments later, still very much in wrath mode and full of fury as she flung open the door.
What on earth?
At Wade’s smile, her body immediately softened.Her wrath quickly replaced with something warmer.Calmer.The tension holding her muscles hostage only seconds ago was already melting away.
“What are you—” She didn’t have time to finish that sentence because he’d already taken a step over the threshold.One hand going to her hip, hauling her into him while the other cupped her face.
“I got here as soon as I could.”His voice was rough, his breaths labored as his fingers threaded through her hair.“Are you good?”
Of course he’d dropped everything for her.Wade Evans was the best man she knew.Even after everything she put him through, here he was, at her door.Showing up.
When you love someone, you show up.
Those words.His words.This time they hit differently.Her heart was leaping while her mouth dried.
“I’m sorry,” she started, “I shouldn’t have...I should’ve...”she was coming up blank.Nothing she could say felt good enough.A simple sorry sounded inadequate.
Tell him you love him.
Yes.That was it.Love.People liked hearing that.And maybe begging?
Just as her mouth opened again, Wade’s head dipped.When his lips met hers, that was it.All thoughts melting as she easily surrendered.Words no longer seemed all that important as the world began falling away and a sense of rightness settled over her.
Lacing her fingers around Wade’s strong neck, she felt herself pull him closer.Every emotion she’d spent two weeks bottling up, poured out of her as he held her close.
It was only when his thumb came to her cheek and swiped away tears that she even knew she’d sprung a leak.But he didn’t break the kiss.Instead, his hand on her hip went to her back, where with one gentle press, their bodies moulded together.
She wanted to stay like this forever.Wrapped safely in Wade’s hold.Breathing in the heady, masculine scent of him as the air crackled with ragged, desperate breaths.More proof of how badly they needed this.
“Who is it?”Riley ignored her mother’s voice that had gotten nearer and focused on the smoky musk filling her throat.
She was finally home.
Her mother’s shrill voice got even closer, but this time she had no idea what was said.Wade must have heard though, which was why he was slowing the kiss.Still, that didn’t stop him muddling her mind with lip tugs and teeth scrapes.
When he finally released her, she wanted to protest.She wasn’t ready for reality yet.And she certainly wasn’t ready to face her mom’s scowl next to her.
“Oh, I see, you call him straight after speaking with Dr Brown?”Her mother was not in any position to be making snide comments.And she was damn lucky that a mind-blowing kiss had managed to calm Riley’s wrath.Or there’d be a hell of a lot of wall scraping going on round about now.
Still in Wade’s big, strong arms, she shifted only slightly until she was facing her mother.“I’m done, Mom.I’m moving back to Woodvalley.It’s time for me to live my life.I deserve it.”She felt Wade’s swift inhale at her declaration and turned back to him.Okay.Time to beg.“I’m sorry, Wade.I should have listened to you.And I shouldn’t have left you like I did.I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness but—”
“Hey,” calloused hands cupped her face, “don’t do that.You deserveeverything, petal.Everything.”
Her heart began to swell.“You forgive me?But what about the restaurant...what about the training I was supposed to give the staff?You’re opening in a couple of weeks.”Her head dipped and shook.He’d given her everything she’d ever wanted, and she’d let him down.
Wade wasn’t a fan of the head dip and used his forefinger under her chin to nudge her face back up.“I couldn’t give a flying fuck about the restaurant, darlin’.You.That’s what I care about.Youcoming home.Youletting me love you.You gonna let me do that?”
