Page 36 of Head Over Spurs

“I need to?—”

“Just ignore it,” she begged, tracing his washboard abdomen with her fingers.

“Why? What do you want to do with me?” he challenged, slowly dragging his large, strong hand back up her thigh.

She tightened her arms around him, pressing her face against his shoulder and sighing when his fingers danced under the hem of her top.

“Juliette. Tell me what you want,” he said, authority in his tone.

She followed the line of muscle along the top of his shoulder with her mouth, deciding if she should respond honestly. Throw caution to the wind.

Then the ringing started back up.

“I really need to get that now,” he grumbled.

But Riley didn’t leave. Instead, he spun her, his chest flush with her back. Sliding her hair to the side, he tenderly kissed her neck below her ear. There was no mistaking what he had wanted to do with her, his hard length pressing against her. “This isn’t over,” he told her in that deep, commanding voice of his.

Then he guided her from where his hands took hold of her hips, taking her with him as he waded back to land. They made it to the bank in time for him to grab his phone as the third call began.

“Yeah, Brett, what’s up?” He nodded as he listened, his eyes never leaving her. When his shoulder slumped and he said, “I’ll be right there,” she knew their break was over.

He snatched up their pile of clothes and motioned for her to follow him to the truck. “I should put those on before we go back,” she protested.

“I have a saddle blanket in the truck,” he laughed, “you can dry off first.”

She followed, accepting the blanket when he offered it and sliding it down her legs. She noticed the way his gaze traced over her frame, hunger darkening his eyes.

“Can we keep talking about… everything?” he asked carefully. “Tomorrow?”

He had a way of being so carefree, so unworried—except when it came to her. And she tried to ignore the way that tugged at her heart.

“Tomorrow,” she agreed.

17

JULES

She wasn’t sure what to say to Riley about theirmoment. What she wanted was too heavily tangled up by the reality of her situation.

She didn’t break her rules because they were the only thing that ensured she’d continue to be hired and have the chance to travel. To run from the life laid out for her.

But they wouldn’t have to have the conversation about it today after all. In fact, Jules was fairly certain she wouldn’t be doing much of anything as the late morning sun cast a warm glow through the apartment. Because there was no way she would be able to peel herself off the cool tile of the bathroom floor to go to the ranch.

She had little sense of time. But based on light, she imagined that she was on hour nine or ten of her body trying to violently purge theslightlyexpired chicken she cooked for dinner last night.

Closing her eyes, she drew her focus to the refreshing chill of the white ceramic hexagons against her cheek. This is where she had slept, too weak to move back and forth from the bed to thebathroom. She was certain the hexagon pattern was now imprinted down her left side.

Luckily, she’d felt good enough to change into her favorite silk sleep shorts and matching bralette. The set was breathable and cool, even cooler when paired with the floor. Which was good, considering the fever that had her burning up last night. In the last few hours, she was experiencing drastic shifts between having chills overcome her and the return of sweltering heat.

She was busy contemplating her ability to walk to the kitchen for water when a knocking echoed through her empty apartment. It was too sturdy of a knock to be Maddie. The heavy raps sounded more like they were coming from a man’s hand.

Foolish optimism filled her thoughts with the notion that it was Riley looking for her. And while she had to admit the thought was far-fetched, there wasn’t really a more likely explanation. It was odd that someone was knocking at all.

Before long, the sound ceased, and the creak of a door opening replaced the silence. Apparently, it was important to still lock doors in a small town after all.

“Jules?” A familiar voice drifted through the air. “It’s Riley. Are you here?”

Her heart pulled all the energy she had to somersault in her chest. He had come looking for her. She didn’t remember a time when anyone had done that—anyone except Maddie, really.

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