Chapter 11
I didn’t fucking sleep. How could I, when I’ve finally had a taste of the sexiest woman on earth, had her pressed against me, her hot little pussy grinding against my cock, and then I turned her away?
The look on her face was… devastation.
“I’m a grade A prick,” I mutter as I set my mug under the coffee maker. I’m not confused. I want her.
Christ, I need her.
And based on how she responded to me last night, she wants me right back, and that is the best fucking feeling in the world.
But Gideon’s right. I should stay away from her. If I ruin our friendship, the three of us will never be the same, and I can’t be responsible for that.
And yet the thought of never touching her again, never tasting that sweet mouth, makes me want to punch holes through the walls.
I hear footsteps behind me, and when I turn, I see Willow shuffling in, her eyes half closed, hair a mess from her pillow, and she’s scratching her head as she yawns widely.
I can’t help but smile. She’s fucking adorable.
But when she sees me, she stops short and scowls.
“I’ll come back later.” She turns to leave, and I panic.
“No! Don’t go p>
She stops walking but doesn’t turn around.
“I’ll make you some coffee, Trouble p>
After a moment, she spins on her heel and pins me in a glare.
“You’re pissing me off, Ryker James p>
To be honest, I’m pissing myself off too.
“You’re sending me so many mixed signals. One minute, you’re touching me, holding my hand, kissing my forehead. The next, you go back to being my buddy. Then, last night, you kiss the hell out of me on that island, make me feel things, and then, you reject me and send me off to bed.” She lets out a frustrated growl. “And now, you want me here? Why, so you can torture me p>
“I don’t want to torture you p>
“Well, you are.” She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her tits together and up, and that little tank top does not hide anything. “My eyes are up here, Captain p>
I swallow hard. “Look, I’m sorry that I’m being an asshat, but I do want you. Christ, woman, you make me lose my mind. I didn’t expect to move home and suddenly have these feelings for you p>
“What feelings?” It’s a challenge. She tilts her head to the side with sass and taps her foot, and I want to bend her over, spank her ass, and fuck her hard, just to teach her a lesson.
“I thought my hard cock pushed up against your hot pussy made those feelings pretty obvious last night p>
Her cheeks darken, but she doesn’t look away from me.
Good girl.
“I didn’t say no,” she reminds me.
“Maybe you should have p>
“See? This right here. Mixed messages, and I’m over it, Ry. If you don’t want me, that’s okay, but you don’t get to touch me and confuse me anymore p>
Not touch her? Fuck, I don’t like that.
“Maybe I just need a little time to get my head on straight,” I reply and push my hand through my hair. “I don’t want to fuck this up. I can’t lose you, Wills p>
Her eyes soften just a bit at that. “You haven’t lost me. I’m right here. But you need to figure your shit out and make up your mind, because I don’t enjoy feeling like I’m being played with. I don’t deserve that. You’d punch someone else out for doing that to me p>
“I’d destroy them.” I’d fucking kill them. The thought of anyone else putting their hands on this woman makes me homicidal.
“Then you don’t get to do it either p>
I nod and blow out a breath. “That’s fair. I won’t touch you p>
She looks almost crestfallen at that, and it only makes me feel like an even bigger asshole.
“Fine p>
Well, shit. Now, I want to hug her. This is all fucked up.
“I’ll come back for coffee,” she says and turns to leave.
“Wills p>
She pauses, sighs, and then looks back at me. “Yeah p>
“It’s only because I respect you and care for you, and I need to be careful p>
She swallows hard. “Figure your shit out. Okay p>
I nod, and then she’s gone.
“Fucking hell,” I grumble while staring at my computer. My eyes are killing me. I’ve been stuck at my desk all day, working through my investment portfolio, along with wrapping things up with my agent, who is on my last damn nerve.
He won’t stop trying to push me to sign another contract. We already informed the team of my decision to retire. I’m not backing out on that.
But he’s doing his best to badger me into it. We’ve been emailing back and forth all afternoon, and now my phone is lighting up with his name on it.
“What p>
“You’re being unreasonable,” Andy says. I can hear the edge in his voice.
“No, Andy, you just don’t like being told no.” I dig my fingertips into my forehead. “I’ll be in Seattle next week for the press conference p>
“We’ll be announcing your new contract at that press conference,” he snarls.
“No. We won’t. I’m not signing another contract with Seattle or anyone else. I’m retiring. From everything. I’ll do appearances now and then, but I’m not working for ESPN. I’m not taking on new endorsements. I’m done, Andy p>
“This is bullshit,” he mutters. “After everything I’ve done for you p>
“You can stop right there. I made you a wealthy man, and we both know it. It’s not my problem that you have a gambling addiction and can’t keep a quarter in your pocket p>
“You don’t know p>
“Oh, I know. You’ve made it clear that the money you get from me is the only thing that keeps you afloat, and I’m drying that up on you. Again, not my problem. I hope you get help for the addiction, but you and I are through. Even if I chose to stay in the sport—which I’m not—I would seek out a new agent. I’m not your meal ticket, Andy p>
He hangs up on me, and I set the phone down before I throw it against the wall. I’m not excited to go to Seattle next week, but I need to say goodbye to my team, and I need to sell my house.
When I’m finished there, my life will truly be settled here in Montana.
With a sigh, I turn off the computer and stand, roll my neck and stretch my back, and then follow my nose to the kitchen.
“What’s for dinner?” I ask when I see Willow standing by the sink.
Christ, she looks good in this kitchen. Yeah, it may be a little misogynistic, but it’s true. It’s been a few days since I found her in here, eating ice cream. I’d been thinking of her, had already taken a shower and fucked my hand with thoughts of her running front and center, and still, I couldn’t shake her.
And then I walked in here, and she was sitting there in practically nothing, like a goddamn wet dream.
And I took it too far. Since the next morning, after our talk, she’s tried to act normal, but there’s an edge to her that’s driving me nuts. Now that I know just how amazing she tastes, how hot she is, I want more of her.
“Meatloaf,” she says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “With potatoes, salad, and corn on the cob p>
“Awesome, thanks for making it.” I want to hug her from behind. Wrap my arms around her and pull her against me, bury my face in her neck, and then fuck her against the countertop.
To ensure I absolutely do not do that, I open the cupboard for the plates to set the table, and Aiden walks into the house through the back door.
“You’re filthy,” Willow says with a laugh. “Go get a quick shower before dinner p>
“I can shower later,” he says, but she’s already shaking her head.
“No. You’re not sitting at the table like that. Go clean off that grime, and then you can eat p>
Aiden rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t sass her further and heads to his bedroom to shower and change. He spends the night out at the bunkhouse with the other hands, but he comes to the house every evening for dinner.
Just like Gid and I did when we were kids.
Willow and I take turns making dinner each night. We’ve settled into a nice routine.
Except I’d like that routine to include me buried inside her at every opportunity.
I’m not confused. I don’t need more time to think about it. Not touching this woman is driving me out of my fucking mind.
“Are you okay?” Willow asks me, and I turn to her with a frown. “You look tense. Honestly, you look kind of pissed off. Who peed in your Cheerios p>
I blow out a breath and set the table. “I am pissed off. Andy’s a dick p>
“I’ve been telling you for years that Andy’s a dick. You should have shaken him off a decade ago, but you’re too loyal.” She shakes her head, those blond curls of hers falling over her shoulders. She’s so fucking beautiful in her black tank top and denim shorts. Wills has legs for days, and her feet are bare, and all her perfect-as-fuck curves are on display. “Right p>
Christ, what were we talking about?
Right. Andy.
“He’s not taking the retirement well,” I reply and ignore the way she’s bending over to pull the meatloaf out of the oven.
I lied. I’m not ignoring it at all.
I bite my fist and hold my breath. Jesus, her ass should come with a warning label. And the way she’s bent over, those shorts ride up, and I can almost see butt cheek. I could slide my hand up her thigh, and—
“I’m hungry,” Aiden announces as he bounds back into the room, and I have to turn away so I can calm myself the fuck down.
“That was the fastest shower ever,” Willow says, eyeing him.
“I’m hungry,” he repeats, making her laugh. “And your meatloaf is my favorite p>
“Well, it’s ready,” she replies and starts passing bowls to us to set on the table. When we’re all seated, we dig in, heaping food on our plates, and Aiden eats as if he’s never seen food before.
Or as if he’s a fifteen-year-old kid.
“You didn’t come out with us today,” he says as he shoves a heaping forkful of potatoes in his mouth.
“I was in my office all day. I’ll be out with you guys tomorrow p>
He nods and then turns to his aunt. “What kind of book are you working on p>
Her fork stills halfway to her mouth, and she stares at Aiden in surprise. “I’m sorry, are you talking to me p>
Aiden frowns as he puts more food on his plate. “Yeah. Are you still working on the football book p>
“No, I finished that one.” She sets her fork on her plate and blinks at the boy. “I’m working on a romantasy book now about dragons and witches p>
“That’s cool,” he decides.
I’ll enjoy listening to that one. I listen to all her books. For years I did it just so I could hear her voice when I couldn’t talk to her. Then, it got to where I actually enjoyed the books themselves. Willow’s excellent at what she does. I admit, she’s damn good. When she acts out the sex scenes, I have to make sure I’m by myself so I don’t humiliate myself in public. And she’s great at accents, which surprised me at first.
“Do you take dialect training?” I ask her, grabbing her attention.
“I did,” she replies. “Sometimes I have to brush up on accents, if I haven’t done one in a while. Some are harder for me than others p>
“What’s the hardest for you?” Aiden asks.
“Irish,” she replies, and resumes eating her dinner. “British is the easiest for me p>
“That’s really cool,” Aiden says, and I notice she pauses eating again.
The teenager has opened up quite a bit in the last week, talking more at dinner and asking questions, and I know she’s not used to it. It hurts my heart for her because I know how much she loves her nephew.
When Aiden reaches for thirds, Willow’s eyebrows climb into her hairline. “You must be burning a ton of calories. I’ve made this a thousand times, and I’ve never seen you eat this much p>
She’s laughing, obviously not bothered at all, and Aiden grins at her.
“I told you, I’m hungry p>
“Well, eat up. I’d rather you were full than we have leftovers p>
When we’re finished eating, Aiden offers to help with the dishes, but we both shake our heads.
“Go on out and relax,” Willow says, reaching up to ruffle his still-damp hair. “Sleep well, okay p>
“Okay. Good night p>
He pats her back and offers me a high five, and then he’s off to the bunkhouse.
“He’s almost jovial,” Willow says after the door closes behind him. “And he asked me about work. He’s honestly never done that p>
“This ranch is good for the soul,” I reply and help Willow load the dishwasher. “I heard a rumor about you p>
“It’s probably true.” She shrugs and then snickers. “Okay, what was it p>
“That you know your sports trivia p>
She narrows her eyes at me. “I see my kid has been telling my secrets p>
She’s not wearing any makeup tonight. Her face is clean and fresh and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She lights up this whole house. She lights me up.
“Who’s the greatest of all time p>
“Here you go with your ego again p>
I laugh and shake my head. “Between Jordan and James p>
“LeBron James?” she clarifies, and I nod. “Oh, we’re going the basketball route, I see. I thought you wanted me to feed your already ridiculously huge ego p>
“That’s not all that’s huge, sweetheart p>
She flushes, but then makes gagging noises, which only makes me laugh.
“This is a stupid question,” she begins. “Obviously, Jordan is the GOAT p>
“James beat his thirty-points-scored-in-a-single-game record not long ago p>
“Yeah, and he had to play seven seasons longer than Jordan played to beat that record. And do you know that if LeBron were to beat Jordan’s forty-points-in-a-game record, he’d have to play for another forty seasons based on his average? Basically, if Jordan got thirty in a game, he likely scored forty as well p>
Yep. She’s unbelievable, and hearing her rattle off stats is making my dick sit up and pay attention.
I can’t stay away from this woman any longer. Fuck being careful.
“Now, yes, James does hold the record for the highest scorer of all time, and that’s incredible. But again, Jordan is number five of all time, to this day, and he played far fewer seasons than James. Jordan has six rings. I wish I’d seen those games live. What a rush that must have been p>
I’m moving closer to her. I can’t help myself. She’s animated, her hands move as she talks, and she’s wiping down the counter with a rag, and then she turns to me, and her eyes are bright, her cheeks flushed because she obviously loves this conversation, and I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want this woman.
My Wills.
My Trouble.
“I’m going to kiss you again,” I whisper, surprised that the words aren’t just in my head.
Her pretty blue eyes widen, and then she pushes up on her toes and quickly presses her lips to mine before pulling away again, and that’s all the invitation I need.
“I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t p>
“The hell you shouldn’t,” I growl and move in. One hand fists in her hair at the nape of her neck, and the other slides around to cup her ass, pulling her flush against me, and I sink into her. She groans, and her hands grip onto my shirt at my sides. When I lick the seam of her lips, she opens to me, and I’m completely lost in her. She feels like heaven against me, and when her hands move under my shirt to skim along my skin, it takes everything in me not to strip her naked and fuck her hard and fast against this counter.
“Ry,” she whispers against my lips.
“Yeah, Trouble.” I bite at the corner of her mouth, and with my hand still in her hair, I tug her head back so I can skim my teeth down the side of her throat. “You’re so fucking delicious p>
“Does this mean you’ve figured out your shit p>
Should I do this? Probably not. But damn it, I can’t stay away from her. I need her in a way that I’ve never let myself need anyone else before. And the way she’s kissing me back and touching me tells me that she wants me just as much.
“Figured it out p>
“Thank God. Take this off.” She’s tugging the hem of my shirt, and I waste no time yanking it over my head and casting it aside. Her hands glide down my sides as I frame her face and go in for another life-altering kiss.
I boost her up onto the countertop and step between her legs, just like I did the other night, and she lifts her tank over her head and tosses it to the floor, and then makes quick work of her bra.
I can’t help it. I have to step back to take her in. I’ve never seen her like this, bare from the waist up. Her tits are fucking magic.
“You’re killing me.” I meet her eyes and see that she’s just as turned on as I am. That she wants this just as badly as I do. “If you need to stop this p>
“I’ll smother you in your sleep if you stop now p>