Because she’d never been dating Riley before.Part of her was afraid they wouldn’t approve, another part was afraid theywouldapprove and would be hurt and upset when things ended with Riley.Because they would end.She couldn’t allow anything else.
“What’s wrong?”Riley asked when he got there.
“Nothing.”Oh, hell.“I’m nervous.”
He looked puzzled.“Why?”
“I just am,” she said, unwilling to explain herself.
“Okay.I think I can take your mind off whatever you’re nervous about.”
“How?”
He smiled, slid his arms around her to her back, and lowered his mouth to hers.She was surprised but almost immediately she relaxed and kissed him back.Her arms locked around his neck and she poured herself into the kiss.All thought of leaving deserted her mind.
The kiss deepened, became hungrier.Her heart rate picked up.His hands fell to her bottom and pressed her to him.She felt him, hard and ready, even through their jeans.One of his hands slid beneath her sweater and cupped her breast.He walked her backwards until the back of her knees bumped the couch.She fell back and Riley followed her down, settling between her legs, their mouths still fused together.
She wasn’t sure how she’d gone from zero to one hundred in no time at all, but she had.She wanted him.Wanted his hands on her bare skin, his lips driving her crazy.She struggled to rise.He stopped, instantly rising up to look at her.She smiled and unhooked her bra, then pulled her sweater over her head.He helped her off with her bra and stopped for a moment, staring at her.Her breasts weren’t huge but they were a nice size and fit her frame.Riley murmured, “Perfect.”Took one of her nipples in his mouth and sucked on it.Moving to the other breast, he did the same thing while his hand caressed the nipple he’d just left, tweaking it and rolling it between his fingers at the same time as his mouth created a wonderful suction on her nipple.
“Take your shirt off,” she told him, nearly panting.
Pulling away from her, he began unbuttoning his shirt, but he paused midway.“Shit!”
“What’s wrong?”
“I forgot we’re supposed to go to the ranch.”
“Crap.I forgot too.”She got up to find her bra and sweater.They were thrown on the floor in different directions.She put them back on.
“I’m sorry.I wasn’t expecting—but damn, Letty, once I kissed you, I forgot everything else.”
“I know.I did too.”She finished smoothing down her sweater.“I need to make myself look less like we were…um, doing what we were doing.”
His lips lifted in a smile but his eyes were serious.“You look beautiful.I wish we didn’t have to go but my mom is cooking your favorite meal.What she hopes is still your favorite anyway.She won’t be happy if we don’t show up.”
“Of course we need to go.I wouldn’t disappoint your mom.”Damn it.
Finished straightening her clothes, she went to the bathroom to brush her hair and repair her makeup.Not that she wore a lot, but she looked like she’d been thoroughly kissed and what little makeup she wore had disappeared.
*
Riley’s parents hadbeen so happy to see Letty that they acted as if they hadn’t seen her in a year, when he knew for a fact she’d visited them recently.Just as his mother, at least, saw her at the library from time to time.But this was different, he supposed.He very rarely brought a woman home to meet his parents.Actually, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d done so.That would have been way too much of a commitment for him.
Watching Letty and his mom discuss some of the finer points of cooking pot roast made him wonder what it would be like if she lived here.With him.The thought made him smile until he remembered that permanent wasn’t on Letty’s list.If things between them worked out in the short term, would he be able to convince her that they had a shot at being together permanently?
Somehow he’d gone from wanting to date Letty and not have an expiration date to wanting her to live with him.And they hadn’t even had sex yet.
Jasper came into the kitchen with his coat on.“I’ll help you with the horses.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Jasper waited until they reached the barn before speaking again.“I know you’re a grown man,” he began.“I have no business telling you what you should and shouldn’t do, but we’re talking about Letty.”
“Who is also grown.Are you planning to ask me my intentions?”He stopped to pet River, a Lab mix he’d found, appropriately, near the river.“Good dog.”River continued to follow him while he did his chores.
They started checking food and water for the horses.Luckily, their teenage helper had mucked out the stalls that afternoon, so that was one chore they could skip.After caring for the horses, Riley fed the dogs.As usual that was a madhouse.
Jasper leaned against the stall door where Riley filled bowls with dog food.“And if I am asking your intentions?What are you planning to do about Letty?”
