Free Meadowlarks 3 : Endless by Ashley Christine

Have you thought about that?”
    “I guess not. But, he might be just a passing thing anyways. Maybe I should take a page out of your book.”
    “Don’t do that.” Even though I hated her, I didn’t want to picture her sleeping with hundreds of men. “Why don’t you go and see a counsellor?”
    Elsa laughs deeply. “Not going to happen. I’m fine. We’re fine. I shouldn’t have come here.”
    “Why did you?” I ask, running my hand through my hair.
    “I still hate you for getting that damn thing.”
    “What? The tattoo? Oh, get over it already.”
    Elsa snorts. “Hunter reminds me a little of you. Except with him, I don’t have to fake it.”
    “Time to go, baby. It’s way past your bedtime.”
    Elsa smiles at me, gets up and stands right in front of me. The woman from the bathroom in Cheyenne is long gone, I can’t even see a trace of her in those eyes anymore.
    “Good luck with the new property, West. God knows you’ll need it.”
    With a swish of her hips, she turns and walks out of the room. I stand there, staring at the closed door, willing myself not to run out and strangle her in the middle of the hallway.
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
    Weston
    Riley was quiet for most of the flight. I was surprised she didn’t mention Leah, and I was trying my hardest not to ask her anything about her.
    While the plane was descending into LaGuardia, Riley’s hand gripped her armrest and she closed her eyes, exhaling slowly out of pursed lips. “I hate landings.”
    “It’s okay,” I whispered and placed my hand over hers. She didn’t look at me, say anything, or even move my hand away.
    The car Josh sent was a sparkling white Benz with pitch black windows. The driver got out and opened the door for us to climb in, then he put all of our luggage into the trunk.
    “Wow,” Riley said, looking around the interior of the car. “Swanky.”
    “Josh is very…flashy.”
    “Your BMW is just as nice, Weston.”
    I smile, surprised. “Thank you.”
    Riley shrugs and buckles her seatbelt while we pull away from the curb.
    “I want to give you a pre-warning about Josh. He’s very…forthcoming.”
    “So, he’s just like you? I’m in trouble.”
    “In all seriousness, showing him those claws will only make him want you more. You know how irresistible you are.”
    Riley laughs. “Mr. Casey, you don’t say…”
    “Can we make a deal?”
    She looks at me, wearily. “What kind of deal.”
    “We enjoy New York. Let’s put aside the boss and employee thing. Can we be friends? Can we enjoy being together here?”
    “As friends? I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.”
    “Friends hug you know.”
    “Sometimes,” Riley says while looking out the window.
    “Friends…kiss.”
    “Nope.”
    “I’ll settle for a hug then. Can it be a naked hug?”
    “Weston!” Riley slaps my chest lightly with the back of her hand.
    “That will get you more than in trouble, ma’am.”
    Riley shifts slightly in her seat, and I laugh quietly
    Pulling up to Josh’s building, I can’t help myself but smile at Riley while she leans to look up at the towering sapphire structure.
    “It looks like it’s all glass.”
    “It is.”
    “Whoa.”
    “Let’s go.” I climb out and extend my hand to her while she follows behind me.
    Josh greets us when the double doors open to his penthouse. “Welcome.”
    “Mr. Montedesco, it’s a pleasure. I’m Riley.” Riley offers her hand, and Josh smirks slyly while taking it and placing it right against his lips.
    “The pleasure is all mine, Riley. Please, come in.”
    I roll my eyes when Josh watches Riley walk past him and tugs his bottom lip between his teeth. “Damn,” he whispers.
    I feel almost territorial. I don’t want him looking at her like that. “Not gonna happen.”
    Josh shows us to our rooms. Riley’s is conveniently next to his room. “This is the room my mother stays in when she visits, I hope you’ll find it comfortable.”
    “It’s perfect, thank you.” Riley steps in