––––––––
Kaitlyn bustled around the kitchen as she fixed the potatoes while Riley had gone out to check on the steaks. She took a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm her still quaking body. Sex with Kevin had never been that earthshattering whereas sex with Riley was the best she’d ever had. True, Riley was only the second man she’d ever been with, but the heat he brought to the bed was enough to set it on fire. Kaitlyn knew she was in trouble. She was so close to falling in love with him. Riley was the man she’d wanted her entire life. But she also knew this would never last, and she couldn’t afford another mistake. Marrying Kevin should’ve never happened, it was a huge life error but one truly good thing that came out of the marriage—Sadie.
Kaitlyn sighed and her thoughts went to Sadie. She needed to check on her daughter. Her eyes went to Riley when he came in the door and just like that, she forgot to breathe. Damn, the man was so hot. His whiskey-colored eyes were so beautiful. Halting in mid-stride, he seemed to know what she was thinking, and he stared at her. Oh yeah, he was a huge mistake in the making.
“Don’t look at me like that or we’ll never get to those steaks,” he said in low tone that sent shivers down her spine.
“I need to check on Sadie. I’ll be right back.” She practically ran from the room.
Thank goodness, Sadie was sleeping soundly and as usual, she was on her stomach with her little butt sticking up. Kaitlyn smiled down at her then flinched when Riley spoke quietly from behind her. “Is she all right?”
Her fingers itched to touch him so Kaitlyn wrapped her hands around the crib rail to keep from reaching for him. Only she hadn’t realized how tightly she was gripping it until Riley put his hand over hers.
“It’s all right, Kaitlyn.” Riley tugged at her so that she followed him into the hall. She closed the door to Sadie’s room while he moved his hand under her hair to wrap around her nape. He kissed her temple. “After we eat, I need to go. I’m starting on the ranch first thing in the morning.”
Kaitlyn turned to face him. “I was hoping you’d stay all night.”
“I’d love to, but I have to go pick up the backhoe and I have to drive out to Barton’s farm to do that. I’m closer if I stay at the cabin.”
A feeling of disappointment wrapped around her chest, but Kaitlyn nodded. “I understand.” Moving away from him, he stopped her when he wrapped his fingers around her wrist.
“I told you I’d never lie to you and I’m not now. I’d love to wake up with you in my arms and those gorgeous blue eyes be the first thing I see, but...” He hesitated and a breath caught in her throat. “Aww, the hell with it...I’ll just have to get up earlier.” Riley whispered against her lips before taking them in a deep kiss. Picking her up, he carried her to the living room, and sat down on the couch.
Kaitlyn righted herself, sat up, and then straddled him. Reaching down between them, she unzipped his jeans. Lifting his hips, he helped by pushing them down while she reached for his wallet, and handed it to him. Riley removed a condom and handed it to her. Groaning deep in his throat when she ripped it open with her teeth, she raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
“That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, as he buried his face in her neck.
Kaitlyn laughed softly. “I’ll make sure to do it every time then.”
Rolling the condom down over his hard cock, she delighted in knowing her touch could make him groan again. Standing, she quickly removed her panties then lifted herself up and slowly inched down over him. She watched as he leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and clenched his jaw. Once fully impaled, she lifted herself up and down over him. His hips arched up into her. He reached for the bottom of his T-shirt she was wearing and pulled it off over her head. Leaning forward, he took a nipple into his mouth and suckled. Kaitlyn groaned while her hands clutched the back of the couch on each side of his head. Her head fell back as she rocked her hips, moved up along his length, and then back down. Each time she took him deep inside, he groaned. His hands gripped her hips to get her to move faster, but she just laughed.
“I’m running this show, Madison.”
“You’re killing me, darlin’. Move faster,” Riley moaned.
Giving a wicked laugh, she shook her head then squealed when he stood, turning her to face the couch with her on her knees then he moved in behind her and inched into her. Kaitlyn moved back against him, meeting him thrust for thrust. She started fighting for air as she felt a wave of orgasm rushing over her. Crying out, she came hard, and then she heard Riley growl low in his throat as he slammed into her a few more times from behind. He throbbed inside of her then he dropped to his knees while Kaitlyn collapsed onto the couch.
Meanwhile, the steaks had burned to a crisp on the grill.
****
Riley’s alarm on his phone went off before dawn. Yawning, he ran his hands down his face. Glancing over to Kaitlyn, he bit back a groan. She was asleep facing him. Those gorgeous lips slightly parted and her thick eyelashes casting shadows on her cheeks. Leaning in close, he gently kissed her lips then watched as her eyes fluttered open.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” Riley kissed her forehead. She smiled up at him and stretched, and his dick stretched with her. Holy shit! It was definitely time to go. Kaitlyn reached up and brushed his hair back from his forehead.
“I’m glad you woke me before you left.” Her sexy lips parted in a smile that he knew would be the brightest part of his day.
He groaned wanting to stay but knowing, he shouldn’t. “You know what you’re doing to me, darlin’.”
Kaitlyn laughed. “I’m not doing anything to you, Riley.”
“The hell you’re not,” Riley growled then kissed her fast, and hard. “I’ll call you later.”
Forcing his body to climb out of the bed before he couldn’t, he strolled around the bed to get his jeans and T-shirt then pulled them on. Damn, his shirt smelled like her. Without a backward glance, although sorely tempted, he left the room.
Once outside, he hurried to get into his truck and pulled out of the parking lot, not because he wanted to be gone as was usual for him but instead, hoping like hell he didn’t see Sam. Riley drove faster than he should have to get out of town. All he needed was for Sam to see him leaving his little sister’s apartment at five in the morning and he wouldn’t have to worry about breaking her heart, Sam would kill him.
Riley smiled as he remembered last night. They’d made love several times. Kaitlyn was one sexy package. His groin tightened making him think about turning around and heading back to her. She’d probably gone back to sleep already. Since it was Sunday, her shop was closed so she tried to sleep late was what she’d told him...unless the squirt woke her up early. Riley smiled thinking of Sadie. She was such a precious little girl and already owned his heart. He wondered about her father. Kaitlyn had said he was dead. How long had he been dead? Did Kaitlyn still love him? Jesus, Madison, get real...you’re jealous of a dead man. Perhaps he’d ask her about him the next time they were together.
When he arrived at Barton’s farm, he backed his truck up to the trailer the backhoe sat on and hopped out of his truck. Grinning, he looked up at the piece of machinery. Boys and their toys, he thought. Jim Barton came out from the barn and helped Riley hook up the trailer. They shook hands and Riley offered one more time to pay the man for the use of his machine, but Barton declined. Riley thanked him, tipped his hat, and climbed into his truck. He gave him a wave out the window as he pulled out onto the road to drive back to what was left of his old man’s ranch.
As he steered the truck and following trailer up the driveway onto the property, he glanced up at the house where he’d grown up and suffered at the hands of his father. He slammed on the brakes. It seemed to be staring at him. The black shutters eerily made the windows resemble eyes, sending a shiver down his spine. Shaking his head to tide the memories flooding to the surface, he pulled up and parked by the barn where he wanted to unload the backhoe. Riley knew he had to go through the inside of the house first even though he wasn’t looking forward to it. He had time. Jim Barton told him to keep the machinery as long as he needed.
Before climbing out of his truck, he pulled on a clean T-shirt he had in the truck taking another sniff of the one Katie had worn the night before. Somehow, he didn’t want the taint of this place to touch that scent. He stood alongside the truck a moment then strode across the yard. Stopping at the front door, he unlocked it then entered the house.
Taking a deep breath to ward off the haunting memories that seemed to wind around him, Riley started moving through the house. He had already decided to carry the furniture outside and burn it. There was no reason to keep it and he sure as hell didn’t want it...there wasn’t anything in the house he wanted.
Pulling on his leather gloves, he got to work. The progress was slow but by the time the sun was high in the sky, he’d gotten a lot done. The heat inside the house was stifling so he headed outside where it wasn’t much better so he got into his truck to cool down in some air conditioning. Relaxing against the seat, he glanced into the rearview mirror when he noticed a cloud of dust reflected in the side mirror as a vehicle came up the drive. He recognized it as Kaitlyn’s SUV. Riley stepped from the coolness of his truck and waited for her to pull up beside him. When she stepped out and smiled at him, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her crazy but instead leaned back against his truck, and watched her get Sadie from her car seat. Silently, he thanked God for having her do it on his side of the vehicle so he could look at her ass as she bent over.
Kaitlyn straightened up and turned to face him then glared at him when she noticed where his gaze had been lingering. His gaze traced over her T-shirt, lingering on her breasts, then down to her shorts and along her long legs. His jeans were getting tight and uncomfortable.
All of a sudden, Kaitlyn thrust Sadie at him, and then went back around the other side and lifted out a large basket from the backseat.
Riley glanced at Sadie in his arms. “Hey, squirt.”
“I brought you lunch. Sandwiches,” Kaitlyn told him carrying the basket around the front of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Sadie giggled and started babbling at Riley. Occasionally, he understood a word but she mostly made no sense as she waved her arms around. Then she squeezed his nose making him laugh. Riley squeezed hers making her squeal.
“Okay if I put her down?”
“As long as I can see her...yes. She has a habit of running off—” Kaitlyn grinned.
Riley laughed. “Yeah, I remember.”
As soon as he set Sadie down on her feet, she took off running. Riley raised his eyebrows and then ran after her. He heard Kaitlyn laughing.
“I warned you,” she yelled.
When Riley caught up to the little girl, he lifted her up and tossed her into the air. She squealed with laughter. Then he put his mouth to her belly and made growling noises. Her little hands clutched his hair. Riley lifted her above his head to get her to let go of his hair. Sadie wouldn’t let go.
“Katie. Help me.” Riley laughed. Kaitlyn ran over to him and took Sadie from him.
“Let go, Sadie-bug,” Kaitlyn scolded, and Sadie finally did.
Taking hold of her little hands, he examined them. “I want to see how much she pulled out.”
Kaitlyn burst out laughing. “None. You’re not bald yet.”
Riley rubbed his head. “Christ, it feels like I should have bald patches.”
“Come get a sandwich.” Kaitlyn carried Sadie to the blanket she had spread out on the grass under a large oak tree. The only shaded area in the yard. A picnic basket sat on it. He doubted this place had ever seen anything so normal and happy. After a slight hesitation, Riley followed them.
****
Kaitlyn sat down with Sadie on her lap and reached into the basket to get out the sandwiches. Riley sat down across from her. His shirt was sticking to him from the heat of the day, and she supposed, from his working hard before she arrived. Kaitlyn tried to keep her eyes off him but it was proving hard to do. She sighed even as her mouth watered at the thought of his hard body beneath her hands and lips. Her gaze skimmed across his chest, lifting it to find him staring at her.
Somewhat embarrassed at being caught ogling him, Kaitlyn dropped her eyes to the sandwich in her hand then handed it to him. Riley took it, pausing as he did to rub his thumb across her wrist.
“Do you...can you...?” Swallowing hard, she felt nervous all of sudden.
“Do I or can I, what?” Riley murmured.
Feeling the heat of a blush rise on her cheeks, Kaitlyn cleared her throat. “I was just wondering when you could come over again?”
Riley leaned across the basket and kissed her. Sadie reached up and put a hand on each of their cheeks making them both chuckle. Sadie crawled off Kaitlyn’s lap and stood. She kissed Riley on the cheek and giggled when he pulled her into his lap and kissed her nose. Kaitlyn nibbled on her bottom lip. Perhaps their coming out here today wasn’t such a good idea. As glad as she was that her daughter was happy, this wasn’t a good thing happening. Sadie was going to fall in love with him too. Too? Oh, dear God, Kaitlyn had fallen in love with him the rest of the way. After last night, how could she not? Her cheeks burned with the memory.
“What’s wrong?” Riley asked over Sadie’s head.
“Nothing. I was...just...nothing,” she murmured, turning her attention to a sandwich unwrapping it.
“Can I see you tonight?”
“Yes. Sure, but I have to get up early.”
Riley chuckled. “I had to get up early this morning.”
Shrugging, Kaitlyn smiled then gazed around, wanting desperately to change the subject. “This land is gorgeous. It’s too bad about the house.”
“I’d bulldoze it down even if it were in perfect condition,” Riley muttered.
“I’d build a beautiful log home...like Olivia and Wyatt live in.”
“I’ve never seen it. I remember the big farm house the Stones grew up in,” Riley said. “I was only in town long enough for Ryder’s wedding last year.”
“Gabe and Emma are living in the house they all grew up in. Jake and Wyatt built beautiful log homes on the land they inherited. I didn’t make it to Ryder’s wedding, since Sadie was sick.” She noticed how he glanced away as if the subject of having a home in Clifton bothered him.
“I’m hoping to get around to seeing everyone before I leave.”
Kaitlyn’s heart hit her stomach, and the piece of sandwich in her mouth seemed to be choking her. Nothing was going to keep him here—especially not a woman with a child. Even though he seemed to enjoy being with Sadie. What was she doing? Setting not only herself up but also her daughter for possible heartache was what. Riley was going to leave as soon as he got the ranch cleaned up and nothing would stop him.
“You’re going to put this place up for sale? Just the land?”
“I might have a house built. Your idea sounds good, a log home maybe,” he said glancing around at the scenery. “Maybe up there on the hill and put a pond in front of it.” Riley pointed over to a wooded area. “What do you think?”
“I think it would be beautiful,” she whispered. Tears were forming and she couldn’t let them fall so Kaitlyn made a pretense of looking through the basket for a bottle of water. Riley reached over and took her hand in his.
“Are you all right?” There was concern in his voice but not for the reason she’d like.
“Yes, of course.”
“I want to kiss you, Katie.” Riley leaned toward her.
Kaitlyn leaned toward him allowing their lips to meet and they both sighed into each other’s mouths. Placing her palm on his lightly whiskered cheek, she drew back. “Riley, I’d love to have you come over tonight.”
“Do you want me to bring a pizza? Can the squirt eat that?”
“Yes. I just have to keep an eye on her with it.” Kaitlyn smiled. “You could come over after she goes to sleep if you’d like.”
“No, I’ll come early. I like spending time with her. She’s adorable.” A smile graced his lips when he glanced to where Sadie now stood staring at a butterfly on a nearby bush. Looking back to Kaitlyn, his eyes darkened. “Just like her mama.”
Kaitlyn blushed. “You didn’t think so before.”
Riley laughed. “You have to admit, you looked nothing like you do now.” He touched her hair. “This was so frizzy. I often wondered if you’d stuck your finger in a light socket.” He leaned away when she swatted at him then he grabbed her wrist and jerked her to him. “I need a kiss, Kaitlyn.”
Hearing her real name on his lips surprised her. “You usually call me Katie.”
Grinning, he winked at her. “Last night I called you Kaitlyn quite a few times.” Chuckling when she felt another blush heat her cheeks, he pressed his lips to hers. Their breaths mingled right before he took her lips in a deep kiss.
“Mama,” Sadie spoke. Kaitlyn pulled back from Riley to look at her daughter.
“Yes, baby?”
Sadie giggled and bounced. “Kiss Riley.”
Her excitement made Riley and Kaitlyn laugh. Then Sadie let out a squeal and ran off. Kaitlyn sighed as she got to her feet to run after her. Just wondering how long it was going to take to corral Sadie, she saw her daughter take a tumble. Her heart almost stopped. Sadie hit the ground hard and just lay there. Riley flew past and was to her in no time. Squatting down beside her, he gently placed his hand on her back.
“Sadie?” Riley whispered genuine concern filling his deep voice. Sadie rolled over and smiled up at him. Kaitlyn heard him sigh as if it was the greatest relief.
“Sadie? Are you all right, baby?” Kaitlyn hovered close by doing a quick check for blood anywhere.
Holding out her hand, Sadie showed them a ladybug on her finger. Wanting to laugh and cry at the same time, Kaitlyn pulled her into her arms and ran her hands over her little girl checking for any injuries.
“She’s fine, Katie. Not a scratch,” Riley said with a grin.
Kaitlyn leaned back on her heels. “She’s fascinated by bugs otherwise I’m sure she’d be crying.” Kaitlyn picked Sadie up. “It’s probably time we got going. It’ll be nap time soon.” Her eyes went to Riley. “Will I see you later?”
“Definitely. I’ll be over around six.” When his eyes lingered on her lips, she blushed wishing for more than a picnic on that blanket under the tree.
After Riley helped her clean up the picnic, she and Sadie left. As she drove down the driveway, she glanced in the rearview mirror to see Riley standing there with his hands on his hips watching her go. You’re in so much trouble, Kaitlyn Garrett Parker.
****
Riley watched until Kaitlyn’s car disappeared down the road then decided to return to work. Pulling his shirt off, he tossed it into the truck before walking back inside the house. The only remaining things left on the lower level of the house were some old newspapers. Taking a deep breath, he gazed up the stairs to the top landing, dread filling him at the thought of going up there. Grow some balls, Madison! He egged himself on as he slowly climbed the steps.
Reaching the top, Riley turned and strode right past his old room. All he could remember about that room was cowering in it when he was a child. After he grew up, he stayed out of it most of the time. In the summer months, he’d sleep in the hayloft. A lot of the time during the winter months, he’d sleep on the couch and get up before the old man did.
Riley shook his head, a grin finding his lips as he thought about Kaitlyn, still finding it hard to believe that she was little Katie. Chuckling softly, he thought about how much trouble he would’ve been in, had he known then, what he knows now. She was so young then, he never really noticed her except for the frizzy hair and braces. It seemed like that was all she’d been except she already had those long legs. Kaitlyn was tall, possibly close to five ten. It was only logical since Riley knew Sam was six five and both their parents were tall. Closing his eyes, he remembered how those long legs had wrapped around him and knew he was hoping tonight, they would be again. Taking a deep breath, he squared himself and headed toward the old man’s room.
Riley stood outside the threshold and glanced around inside the room. Everything neatly in its place, the room would have looked normal except for the layer of dust everywhere. He was shocked to see the bed made. Apparently, his father hadn’t been in the room for a long time.
Stepping into the room, Riley took a mental accounting of everything. The mahogany furniture was still in great condition so he thought he’d check around to see if anyone wanted it. Burning it seemed a terrible waste of fine woodwork. Leaning against a bedpost, he folded his arms.
“Why the hell is this room so nice? Didn’t you ever sleep in here?” He knew he was talking to an empty room and didn’t expect any answers but somehow, he felt a need to voice the questions. “When was the last time you slept here? The night before you threw my mother out?”
Pushing away from the bedpost, he strolled toward the closet. Opening it, he gasped, staring in shock at the clothing in there. These things had belonged to his mother. Her dresses hung there as if awaiting her return and her shoes were in a rack on the floor. What the fuck was it all doing here? The memories of that day were hazy. Had the son of a bitch thrown her out with just the clothes on her back? Riley wouldn’t put it past him to have done just that.
The dresses and blouses hung in a neat row, color coordinated. Riley moved his hand over them. Pulling out a dress, the memories came crashing down on him. He remembered his mother wearing the white sundress with spaghetti straps and a tight bodice. The skirt had stopped at her knees and he remembered the white sandals she always wore with it. His eyes went to the shoe rack and they were there. White T-straps. There were shoeboxes sitting on the floor, some of which looked as if they’d never been opened. Hanging the dress up, he backed away from the closet and quickly closed the door.
Taking a deep breath, Riley turned away from the closet. His eyes landed on the jewelry box on top of the dresser. Hesitantly, he moved toward it. Pulling a drawer open, he saw earrings, bracelets, and rings. Riley remembered his mother wearing jewelry to match her outfits. He’d only been six when she left but he could still see her in his mind, and he remembered her crying when the old man pushed her into her car and told her to get the hell away from him. She’d gazed at Riley and yelled she loved him. Riley grunted. If she’d loved him, why hadn’t she taken him with her instead of leaving him with a brutal, cruel man and why had his father kept all of this stuff? Riley’s mother left twenty-seven years ago yet his old man had kept all her clothes and shoes right where they were when he’d thrown her out. For twenty-seven years? It was incomprehensible.
What should he do with her things? He supposed he could pack them up and donate them. Everything. He didn’t want any of it. Taking out his cell phone, he called Sam.
“Hey, Sam, I have a question. Where can I donate clothes and jewelry?” Riley asked when Sam answered.
“Jewelry? I’m not real sure about that but clothes can be taken to the thrift store. What kind of jewelry? Real or fake?”
“Shit, I don’t know. My...mother’s jewelry box is here. It’s full of all kinds of things. Do you know anyone who would know if it’s real or not?”
“Take it to Kline’s on Main Street,” Sam suggested.
“Yeah, all right. Thanks, Sam,” Riley told him.
“Hey, you want to get together for dinner tonight?”
Shit! “I can’t tonight. What about tomorrow night?”
“Sure. Just call me. Take it easy.” Sam hung up.
Running his hand over his face, Riley blew out a breath. If Sam knew Riley had blown him off for Kaitlyn, he’d be there in a heartbeat to kick his ass. This was so wrong. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Katie and he knew he would in the end. It wasn’t hard to see she wanted him to stick around, but he couldn’t do it. Being here made him physically ill.
Stepping from the room, he practically ran to his truck where he clambered inside, fired it up, and tore out of the yard, his tires flinging gravel everywhere. All he could see in the rearview mirror was dust.
Not realizing he was heading there, Riley steered his truck toward the cemetery when he saw the entrance, and drove up the long gravel road. Slamming on the brakes, he sat in the truck staring in the direction of his father’s grave. His hands tightened around the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Throwing open the door, he trudged through the tall grass and stood over the gravesite.
“You really were a bastard, weren’t you?” Riley sneered. “You threw her out with nothing but the clothes on her back, and without me.” He kicked a rock and sent it soaring. “I wish you were here right now so I could tell you to your face what I think of you.” His fists clenched at his sides, wanting to roar but he kept it inside. “Why? How am I ever going to know why you did what you did? Where’s my mother? Why hasn’t she ever contacted me?” He kneeled down. “Why did you make her leave?” Tears began to burn his eyes and blur his vision. “I’m not crying over you, you selfish bastard. I’ll never cry over you.” Hearing the sound of a vehicle on the gravel road, he glanced behind him. Recognizing his friend, he waited for Sam to get to him.
“How did you know I was here?” Riley asked, wiping his arm across his face.
“I saw you pull in here. I gave you a few minutes alone.” Sam shrugged.
“I don’t need time alone,” Riley growled, turning away.
“I think you do,” Sam said in a quiet voice.
Riley snapped his head around. “Why would I?”
“You need to bury your feelings with him. Your hatred is going to tear you apart, Riley. He’s dead and gone. Let it go.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Sam. I let it go a long time ago.”
Sam snorted. “Okay, if you say so.”
Riley marched to him and halted in front of him, his fists clenching at his sides. “I do say so, Sam. You have a problem with that?”
Sam stepped closer. “You really want to go there?” he murmured.
Riley clenched his jaw and then blew out a breath. Getting into a fight with his best friend wouldn’t change anything. “No. I just...” He glanced away. “I hated him and now since I found my mother’s clothes and jewelry, I’m wondering what the hell happened that he would make her leave with nothing, without any of her clothes, shoes, or jewelry—or me.” Riley shook his head. “I had to get out of that house but I need to go back now, and go through the bedroom again.”
“You want some help?” Sam asked him, his hand on Riley’s shoulder with the earlier near confrontation already forgotten.
Riley shook his head. “I have to do this by myself. Thanks though.”
Sam gave him a brief nod. “I’ll see you tomorrow night for dinner.” Giving Riley a mild slap on the back, he strode away.
Riley squatted down and stared at the marker. The old man didn’t even have a headstone. He probably never considered needing one. Roscoe Madison had thought he was invincible. Riley had begun to think he was too, for a long time. It seemed like the bastard kept going no matter what. No matter how falling down drunk he was, he always got back up and God help anyone who got in his way. Riley exhaled, stood, and headed back to his truck. He never wanted to come back here again.