Fae Sutherland & Chelsea James His Every Breath

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fun, candy apple red Jeep, so different from the sleek, cool
BMW he d traded for it. Kind of like his life he d gone from
sleek and cool and lonely to rough around the edges, fun and
happier than he d ever been. He was tempted to pick up his
cell phone and call Trace just to tell him how much he loved
him but decided instead he was going to get home, cook his
man a good meal and for the first time he was going to be
completely honest. Trace wanted to know why Riley had
been so resistant at the beginning and Riley figured now was
the perfect time to tell him. Because after a whole lot of time
spent living in fear, it was finally crystal clear that there was
no boogeyman under the bed. And even if there was,
whatever lay under the bed didn t matter nearly so much
when he had a man who loved him in the bed beside him.
126
His Every Breath
Chapter Thirteen
Riley was smiling by the time he got home. The thirty-minute
Riley was smiling by the time he got home. The thirty-minute
drive back to the ranch with his stereo blaring had been just
what he needed to plan his talk with Trace. He could hear
Ginger start to bark as he climbed the porch steps to the
front door and it opened before he reached it. Riley grinned
when Ginger dashed out to circle his feet happily and Trace
smiled at him from the doorway.
Hey, Riley murmured, leaning in to kiss him then scooting
Ginger back inside, closing the door behind him. Sorry I m
late. I had to stay until all the kids were picked up. Um& let
me start dinner then I want to talk to you. I m starved and I m
sure you re hungry.
Trace nodded, following him and taking a seat at one of the
stools along the breakfast bar. Riley busied himself
gathering everything he needed, feeling Trace s concerned
gaze on him.
Everything all right?
Riley gave Trace a smile and a nod. It is now that I m home
with you.
Trace smiled and Riley paused to cross the kitchen and
press a quick kiss to Trace s cheek, meeting his eyes. I love
you. Trace s face all but glowed and Riley fell in love with
him all over again. Shaking his head, he went back to his
dinner preparations, deftly slicing vegetables for the chicken
stir-fry he had planned.
How was your day? Did you get everything that you needed
to do taken care of?
he asked, glancing over his shoulder. Trace had said he had
some errands downtown, not to mention the usual ranch
work. Trace nodded and Riley smiled then cursed as the
knife slipped and he sliced his finger shallowly. Shaking his
head, he threw away the pepper he d been slicing before
going to the sink to run his finger under cold water.
Okay, so maybe cooking dinner right now is a bad idea, he
told Trace, watching as he rinsed away the blood. Is it okay
with you if we talk first? I m a little distracted.
Trace slid off the stool and came around to tear off a paper
towel, gently taking his hand and wrapping his finger. Yeah,
come on. He led Riley to the living room and sat on the
couch beside him. What s going on?
Riley took a deep breath, meeting Trace s worried eyes. I
ran into my ex today. The one I told you about before I left for
L.A. It was his daughter who was the late pickup.
Trace s brows knit. What happened?
Riley shook his head. Nothing awful, I promise. He
squeezed the folded paper towel over the cut, actually eager
to tell Trace everything. That alone was such a huge change.
Normally he d pretend nothing had happened. It actually
turned out to be a 127
Fae Sutherland & Chelsea James
good thing. Because& do you remember telling me that
eventually I d need to tell you why I was scared? Why I kept
pushing you away?
Trace nodded and Riley blew out a long breath. I told you
then that I would but I didn t really think it d ever come to it, or
that things would ever be serious enough between us that I d
want to. But I was wrong about that. I was wrong about a lot
of things.
Riley smiled a little. Well, I think it s time I told you everything.
I met Sam not long after I started working the club. He came
in one night, alone, sat way back in a corner and wanted a
private show. He was charming and sexy and a slick talker
and I fell for every single line. I let him come home with me
that night.
There was a flicker of understanding in Trace s eyes and
Riley offered him a small smile. So, yeah, that first night& it
wasn t just because of you. The whole situation made me
uneasy because that was exactly how everything got started
with him.
And there I was, charming and slick and wanting you to
meet me after Damn, I couldn t have chosen a worse way
to approach you. Trace s voice was regretful and Riley
nodded.
Yeah, it wasn t the greatest beginning. But anyway, things
got hot and heavy with Sam and me really quick. Sam would
come by my place, usually in the late afternoon before I had
to work, sometimes late at night, after I d get out. He told me
he was married to his job. His family owns big shares in
some oil company and he s got some kind of executive
position. I believed him. After all, it left me free to do pretty
much as I pleased with my days. I thought it was the perfect
arrangement. Sam was always buying me things too, or
leaving money at my place, then swearing it wasn t his when
I d try to give it back to him.
Riley flushed, shrugging. I m not exactly proud of it but I
didn t really argue. I loved the attention. After a few months, it
had gotten to be a comfortable routine. I wanted him to meet
my friends but he made constant excuses he had to work
late, he was going on a business trip, he had a meeting. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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