Another week blazed forthand my feelings for River ignited stronger each day.
We slept together.
Of course I didn’t mean in the biblical sense or even in the same bed. We had, however, stayed on the phone all night while we slipped into slumber two other times after that first night when she’d asked me to stay on the phone with her.
Each morning as we woke, River’s awkwardness and the embarrassment in her groggy voice lessened. God, her sleepy tone was sexy as hell and brightened my day. It also made the morning wood a bit harder as well. It was a good thing she wasn’t there to see what she did to me.
I wasn’t sure if she’d ever be ready to see a reaction like that or hear how she made me feel, but I was a patient man. Nobody had ever made me want the way River did. I wanted her friendship, her trust, her body, and her heart. But as I said before, I would take what I could get and cherish anything she was willing to give.
With my mind stuck on the beautifully complicatedwoman, I finished my workout and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from my face.
“Hey man, how’s it going?”
Glancing up, I tossed my towel in my bag and greeted Braxton. I had mad respect for the man after getting to know him since he openedNo Surrender.We had shared military backgrounds and even our personal pasts as time went on. He was a standup guy and so were the partners he was in business with.
“Can’t complain, things are going well.”Especially with River in my life, I thought. “How is business and your family? Did Embry skillfully take all your money yet?”
He rumbled with laughter. “All is good and my little doodlebug has certainly tried.”
His daughter was a master at collecting money for her swear jar. However, when I say jar, I’m pretty sure she’d filled a thousand of them by now. Those times I’d been around her, I had to watch my mouth for sure.
“So, you ready to come work for me?”
It was my turn to laugh. Braxton had been asking me that for over a year. I’d never taken him up on it because I loved my job. However, it was tempting to work part time for him like Bronson did, but then I would have trouble being there for my mother.
“You never know, man. Maybe one day I’ll take you up on that. You run an amazing business here.”
We shook hands. “We’d be lucky to have you at any time.”
I grabbed my bag and threw the strap over my shoulder. “Thanks, that means a lot.”
“Are you off to work?” he asked.
A slow smile spread across my face. “Nope.”
Braxton tilted his head as he stared at me. “Why do you look like the cat that just ate the canary? You have this satisfied, almost sneaky smile on your face.”
I grinned. “Naw, I was just invited to game night with River and the kids.”
He wasn’t completely off though. When he said satisfied, he was right on that count. I was pretty happy to get to see them after a week and be included.
“Ahh, now I understand that smile of yours.”
I raised my brows in curiosity. “Yup, but what is your shit eating grin for?”
Braxton threw his head back and roared with additional laughter. “I was just thinking, wait until all the ladies find out.”
I groaned, causing him to crack up even more.
“Welcome to the club, buddy.”
“What club would that be?” I asked him.
He slapped me on the back. “The one where your woman has you wrapped around her finger and all the other women are in your business every chance they get.”
“She doesn’t?—”
“Hold your breath and don’t try to deny it. It’s written all over your face just from getting invited to game night. As soon as you said her name, you got a dreamy look in your eyes.”
