Ryder turned back to Lizzy and smiled. If the man didn’t stop looking at her that way, Dade would rearrange his teeth, sheriff or not.
“Thanks for the cupcakes, Lizzy. I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything out.”
She beamed—freaking beamed—at the guy.
“Thanks, Ryder. I really appreciate this.”
“Anytime, sugar.”
Where the hell did this guy get off? Calling his woman sugar.
As Ryder approached, Dade glared. He blocked the only exit and—though it was immature—he didn’t move. Right now, he wanted to pound the man into the ground. He’d never felt so possessive. Then again, he never met someone like Lizzy.
Ryder stared hard, a contemplative gleam in his dark brown gaze. The man had the silent stare-down perfected. As sheriff, he had to be damn good at assessing a situation. And like him or not, Dade had to admit, Ryder was very good at his job.
Shit. He never had a problem with the guy until Lizzy showed up. The woman messed with his life far more than he wanted her to.
“You wanna move out of my way, Dade?”
The sheriff posed it as a question, but it wasn’t. Not really.
Dade’s jaw locked. His teeth ground together. His dentist would have a field day at his next visit with all the damage he’d been doing to his poor chomps lately.
Clenching his fists, he reminded himself Ryder had done nothing except flirt with the woman he was currently sleeping with. Since no one knew they were sleeping together, he couldn’t fault the sheriff.
Didn’t mean he couldn’t still dislike the guy.
Stepping closer, Ryder spoke in a hushed tone. “I know why you’re pissed, man, but I’m no competition. Trust me. The lady is crazy about you. Now, don’t be an idiot and get yourself thrown in my cells for the night.” One dark brow rose. “I’m sure you can find a much more enjoyable way to spend your evening.”
He glanced over the other man’s shoulder. Lizzy stood at the counter. Far enough away so she couldn’t hear their conversation. Her face held a mix of concern and irritation.
“And just what do you know about it, Ryder?”
“I know,” the sheriff said in that calm voice he used to talk down suspects. “Lizzy cares about you and, judging by your possessive caveman act every time another guy gets near her, you care about her, too. I also know that if you don’t get out of my way in about two seconds, I’m gonna haul your ass in for obstruction. That would make Lizzy upset, and I know neither one of us wants her upset.”
He stared at the sheriff, that little green monster rising up again.
Ryder held up a hand with a sigh. “I don’t like upsetting a friend. That’s all we are, Dade, friends. Now, are you gonna move, or do I have to spend the night apologizing to Lizzy for locking up her boyfriend?”
No secrets in a small town.
“I’m not her boyfriend,” he muttered, but he shifted to the side, letting Ryder pass.
The sheriff chuckled as he walked out the door. “Whatever you say.”
Once the man left, he felt slightly better. Just him and Lizzy now. The tension in his body faded.
“What the hell was that?”
Crap. Now, she was the angry one. Not that he could blame her. He’d acted like a jackass. Couldn’t help it when he was around this woman, it seemed. Didn’t that beat all.
He walked up to the counter. Lizzy had her arms crossed under her breasts; the stance pushed them up like an offering. He remembered how sweet they tasted. Those firm yet soft nipples so delicious, like ripe raspberries on his tongue.
“I’m up here, cowboy jackass.” She snapped a finger in front of his face. “Why were you being such a jerk to Ryder?”
At the mention of the others man’s name, his fury returned.
“What was Jake Ryder doing here?”
She rolled her eyes. “Hello? It’s a cupcake store. He came in to get cupcakes for the station.”
Oh, that makes sense. Still…
“Then what was all that stuff about him calling you later.”
She shifted on her feet. The anger left her, replaced by something he couldn’t discern.
“He’s helping me with something.”
A million scenarios ran through his brain. Most of them X-rated. Ryder said he and Lizzy were only friends, but so were Dade and Lizzy. They only recently added “benefits” to their friendship. Did she and Ryder have the same agreement?
“I’ll just bet he’s helping you.”
Her eyes narrowed, hurt evident in their gray depths. “Screw you, asshole!”
Shit. He hadn’t meant to hurt her.
Dade rubbed a hand over his face. He was doing this all wrong. There was nothing going on between her and Ryder, he knew that. The sheriff so much as said so. He was letting the wrong head do the thinking right now.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. I didn’t mean that.”
He reached for her, but she pulled back. Her retreat stung almost as much as the pain in her eyes.
“No. You did mean it. You think just because I agreed to have sex with you, I’ll screw anyone?”
He winced at her harsh language. The words sounded ugly coming from her sweet lips.
“Well, news flash, buddy, I don’t go sleeping with every guy I say hello to.”
“I know.”
“Obviously, you don’t, or you wouldn’t have thought what you did.” Her eyes were glossy, but she didn’t cry.
That was Lizzy, so strong, even when she hurt.
“Besides, if I want to sleep with Ryder, what business is it of yours?”
She did not just say that. He moved around the corner of the counter until he was face to face with her.
“I don’t share.”
Instead of backing down, she got right up into his face. “Good. Neither do I.”
“Fine, agreed. Now, what is Ryder helping you with?”
Fight going out of her, she deflated. “Ugh, I got served today. Bill Collins—my ex-boss from the restaurant in LA—is suing me for breach of contract.”
What a jerk. Lizzy would never break a contract. She was the most honest, dedicated worker he knew. Even after being lost in the woods all night, she hauled her butt into work the next day.
He smelled a set up.
“His lawyer is Mike. Mike Dornes. I think Carr is angry with me for ruining his chance to scam you. He and his sleazy cousin went to my old boss and cooked up this little scheme. I’m sure of it.”
“Those bastards.”
She let out a half-hearted laugh. “Yeah, they are. Anyway, Ryder came in just after I got the papers. His sister is a lawyer. He said he would ask her to look over everything for me.”
Dade remembered the sheriff mentioning something about his sister graduating from law school a while back. Julie, Julie Ryder. That was her name if he remembered correctly. She’d been a few years behind him in school, so he never knew her that well, but if she was as good at her job as her brother was at his, Lizzy would be just fine.
“Why didn’t you just say that?”
She glared at his accusation. “Because you didn’t give me a chance.”
Turning on her heels, she headed back toward her office. He followed.
“Honestly, Dade, I don’t understand you. First you say we can’t be together, then you agree, but don’t want anyone to know—”
“I never said that.”
Reaching the small back room, she whipped around. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail; he remembered how those silky-smooth strands felt against his chest when he woke this morning.
“You said it was only sex, and I’m fine with that. If you just want sex, great. But don’t come into my place of business and harass my customers. Don’t get jealous any time a guy talks to me. Don’t try to run my life.”
Accusations were flying, and Dade’s temper started to soar. He moved closer. She was tall, but he was taller. He towered over her. It usually intimidated people, but not with Lizzy.
Nothing intimidated her. She was a one woman wrecking crew.
“I’m not trying to run your life. I’m just trying to help.”
Rising up on her toes, she got right in his face. “I don’t need your help.”
But she would take Ryder’s help? That did it. Something inside him snapped. “Oh really? Because I think you do need my help, sweetheart. Unless you can give yourself multiple orgasms every night.”
Then he crushed his lips to hers. It was a punishing kiss, but Lizzy met it with gusto. She opened for him, thrusting her tongue against his. The battle had begun, but this was a battle he could appreciate. A battle of sexual wills.
Hands went flying, grasping, groping. His heart raced, adrenalin pumping through his blood. Damn, this woman could turn him on like no other. Her fire and passion fueled his desire. She was like a raging wildfire, and he was so burned.
His hands found her breasts, and he cupped the heavy mounds. A moan escaped her, and he swallowed it with his lips. Her pelvis ground against his, a clear indication of what she wanted. Far be it from him to deny a lady. Backing her against the wall, he moved one hand down. Finding the fastening of her jeans, he unsnapped them and yanked the zipper down. She did a sexy little shimmy, and the pants slid down her delectable ass, freeing her enough for Dade to find her core.
She was hot and ready.
That made two of them. He felt as if his entire body was on fire. On fire for this woman.
He pushed her underwear aside, stroking her with his fingers. She trembled, arching her hips toward him, seeking. He answered by sinking two fingers into her. She was tight and perfect, and he wanted her more than his next breath.
As he moved his finger in and out, she tore her mouth from his. “Dade…please!”
He could tease her more; make her beg. But he was as far gone as she. If he didn’t get inside her soon, he would explode. Removing his fingers, he shoved her pants and underwear to her ankles. At the same time, she frantically undid his jeans. Reaching inside, she grasped him, and he sucked in a breath as she brought his cock out, stroking the length of him.
“Want to taste,” she said licking her lips.
No way; he would survive.
“Next time,” he growled out the words.
She nodded her head. “Next time.”
Because he had to be in her. Now.
Grabbing one leg, he freed it from her pants and wrapped it around his hip. It opened her to him, and in one hard thrust he was inside as deep as he could go. She cried out, sharp fingernails digging into his shoulders.
“Shit, you feel amazing.” The words were torn from him as he set a fast, hard rhythm.
Soft mewling noises came from her throat, and he could see the flush rising on her face.
Damn, she’s so sexy.
Nothing felt better than being with this woman.
“Yes! Oh God. Dade yes,” she cried out, arching into him, making each thrust go deeper.
He felt her tighten around him; the leg around his hip gripped harder, pulling him closer. She screamed as her orgasm overtook her, her body clenching him. Her head fell back, mouth open, face flushed. It was so beautiful he felt himself losing control. He surged into her one last time, emptying himself completely.
Her leg fell, limp, to the floor again. With foreheads pressed together, his harsh breath mingled with hers. The room smelled like sugar and sex.
Delicious.
A chime rang out.
“Hello?” a voice called from up front. “Are you still open?”
“Shit,” Lizzy cursed under her breath. Then she yelled out, “Be right with you!”
Frantically, she pulled her pants back on. Running a hand over her hair, she grinned sheepishly. “You sure know how to make a girl forget things. We’re still open for another half-hour. Can’t say I’ve ever gotten so hot I forgot I was working.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and headed up front to help whoever was there.
Dade watched her go with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. She was right, but it wasn’t just him. She had been good, too. He’d never gotten so caught up in the moment that he forgot where he was, what he was doing. Never once since he turned sixteen and started having sex, had he gotten so hot, so crazy over a woman that he forgot the most important thing.
Protection.
“Shit,” he swore as he tucked himself back into his pants.
Lizzy had managed to do what no other woman had. She made him lose his mind. In his frenzied need to be inside her, he had forgotten the condom.
What the hell was he going to do now?
Chapter 24
The days in Peak Town went by at a much slower pace than LA. Lizzy liked that. She was coming to like everything about Podunk Town. Including a certain cowboy.
It had been a week since she and Dade agreed to exclusivity. He would come by most nights after she closed the shop and stay the night. He was always gone before she woke up, but he’d leave a fresh pot of coffee for her. Ranch work started early, even earlier than bakery work.
She understood he wanted to keep their relationship between just them. Not that it was truly a relationship. It was just sex. Really, really good sex, but they never went out to dinner or on dates. She shouldn’t let it bother her—after all, she agreed to this—but it did. She was coming to care for Dade more and more. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep up the “just sex” façade.
The bell over the shop chimed. From her office in the back, she heard Jamie call out brightly, “Hello, Sheriff Ryder.”
“Hi, Jamie. Is Lizzy here?”
“She’s in back. Want me to get her?”
Get her? No need for that. This place was so small one only needed to speak in a loud voice for everyone to hear. She poked her head around the corner. “Let him on back, Jamie.”
Ryder came around the counter, followed by a woman with dark hair and features similar to his.
Could this be his lawyer sister?
He did promise to have her look into the lawsuit. He must have followed through. Now all she could do was hope this woman came bearing good news.
“Lizzy, this is my sister, Julie Ryder. Julie, this is Elizabeth Hayworth.”
“Ms. Hayworth,” the pretty woman said warmly, sticking out her hand.
She shook it, noticing the firm grip. “Please, call me Lizzy. Thank you so much for doing this favor for me.”
Julie smiled, the tilt of her lips so similar to Ryder’s it left no doubt of their relation. “Well, when big brother calls, I can’t exactly say no.” She elbowed her sibling. “He never lets me forget all the times he covered my butt with Mom.”
“If you hadn’t been sneaking out all the time, I wouldn’t have had to cover it.”
“I was sneaking out to go to my Future Leaders of America meetings, not party and get drunk.”
“I know. That’s the only reason I let you go, kiddo.” Ryder ruffled the top of the younger woman’s head, causing his sister to squeal and bat his hands away.
The playful sibling squabbling made Lizzy wistful. She always wanted a sister or brother, but her parents had barely wanted her, let alone another child. She surmised she was only born out of societal obligation.
“Why didn’t your mom want you to go to FLA meetings? Wouldn’t most parents love for their kids to be involved in stuff like that?”
Julie sighed, her gaze filling with sadness. “Our dad died when we were in our teens. Mom got a little overprotective after that. When I moved out, she called me at least five times a day to check in.”
Wow, excessive.
Still, Lizzy couldn’t help but envy Julie a little. What would it feel like to have a parent care for you so much they constantly checked in with you? Her parents only called when they were trying to lure her into whatever project they were currently involved in.
“She passed away a few years ago. It’s funny, I use to find her calls annoying. Now, I’d give anything just for one more.”
Ryder put his arm around his sister, embracing her tightly. He kissed the top of her head. “I miss her, too, kiddo.”
It was such a tender moment, Lizzy felt awkward. Like she had intruded on their family time.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “It must be awful to lose both of your parents.” If you actually cared for your parents, that is.
She wondered how she would feel when her parents were gone. She loved them—they were her parents after all—but they never really had any type of loving relationship. Would she wish to talk to them one more time? Doubtful. She barely liked talking to them now. Would she have regrets like Julie seemed to have?
“Thank you,” the young lawyer replied, pulling her out of her thoughts. “But we’re not here to talk about me. I have some news for you.”
Please let it be good. Please let it be good. Please let it be good.
“Your former boss has no case.”
Yes!
“I reviewed your contract, and though you did leave without giving two weeks’ notice, it is merely a formality. You were an at-will employee, so you could have quit or been terminated at any time for any reason.”
Sinking into her chair, she breathed out a sigh of relief.
“I contacted Mr. Dornes. I expect a reply soon, but my guess is they’ll drop the lawsuit once they realize they have no case. I made it very clear if they continue we will file a counter-harassment suit.”
She loved Julie Ryder so much right now she could kiss the woman. “Thank you so much. I am putting your name on the free cupcakes for life list.”
“What about me? I was the one who got her involved.” Ryder’s lower lip stuck out, but a smile turned up the corner of his mouth.
“Yes, but she did the hard stuff.” At his pouting expression, she caved. “Okay, you get free cupcakes for a month.”
He rubbed a hand across his stomach, and the frown quickly became a grin. “I bet I eat more in a month than she eats in a year.”
“That’s ’cause you’re a pig.”
The dark-haired lawyer turned up her nose and oinked at her brother who grabbed her in a headlock and proceeded to give her a noogie. Lizzy laughed at their playfulness. She was in such a good mood right now, nothing could bring her down.
Love on the Wild Side Page 15
