Page 50 of Giddy-Up
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Wade’s blood pressurewas still dangerously high as he held open his front door and gestured for Riley to enter.He was expecting her parents to be difficult, but he hadn’t expected his woman to shrink into herself in their presence.That pissed him off.Being with family is supposed to be safe.She should be free to be herself.And be accepted.
Instead, he’d witnessed judgement, blatant hostility and two people desperate for control over their adult daughter’s decisions.Thank God she’d moved to Woodvalley when she did, he couldn’t imagine her living her life to its fullest while in that house.
He watched as Riley furiously rubbed her wrist, which was enough to get him moving.In two big strides, he was in front of her, untangling her hand and bringing it to his lips.
“Petal,” he rumbled.“It’s going to be okay.I promise.”
Despite a confident exit from her parent’s house, Riley had grown quiet on their drive back home.She’d also apologised to him several times.Clearly, she was horrified by her parent’s behaviour.
“How can you say that?”She slumped, looking just as dejected as she sounded.“I should have stayed and spoken to them.Left on better terms.I feel so bad.”
Which is probably exactly what they wanted.More guilt to try and control her with.He kept that thought to himself as he gently cupped her cheek.
“Why did you move here, darlin’?”
Riley blinked, momentarily thrown by the change of subject.
“Uh, I-I wanted a change, I guess.Something just for me.”
“That’s what I thought.It’s time to put yourself first.And that’s exactly what you did today.”
“And you,” she whispered.
His thumb which had been lazily stroking her silky skin, stilled.“What do you mean?”
Big brown eyes stared up at him.“I didn’t like them speaking to you like that.You don’t deserve that.You were nothing but polite to them.”Her voice was still quiet, as if she were sharing a secret.
“I don’t want that beautiful head of yours to worry about me, petal.You’re the important one.Remember that.”His thumb started moving again, this time swiping her plump bottom lip.
He watched as her eyes glazed.The familiar look of want already heating his blood.Need churning in his gut.It had been a whole goddamn week since he’d tasted her soft, supple skin.
Stupid, damn barn conversion.
“Fair warning.”His tone was about as rough as his heartbeat.“One more look like that, baby, and in five seconds, I’m gonna have you pinned to the nearest surface, screaming my name.”
