Free Meadowlarks 3 : Endless by Ashley Christine Page B

one thing. If you hurt her, if you even think about hurting her…I will remove everything in your pants with a letter opener. I don’t want you to use her like Sara.”
    Shit. I don’t even know what to say. “Listen, Riley…I… fuck . Let’s just enjoy the party, okay?”
    “Okay.”
     
    ***
    Josh’s party started off without a hitch. The penthouse filled to over capacity, and I met and shook hands with almost every employee at Montedesco Properties.
    Riley charmed the multitude, naturally, and was even offered my job after Josh heard about how successful she’s been in Wyoming and her previous career in Maine.
    “I’d kick Casey out in a heartbeat to have you under me, Riley.” Josh grinned before sipping his wine.
    “Careful, Josh, she’s got claws.” I warn.
    “Freshly sharpened, too,” Riley says cleverly. “Excuse me for a sec.” She smiled and pulled her phone out of her pocket.
    I almost leaned in to hear her conversation.
    “I’ll come down and meet you.” Riley said.
    Leah’s here.
    I hastily made my way to the nearest bathroom, fixed my hair, told myself in the mirror that I was not going to have heart failure when I saw her, and cautiously went back out to face my fear.
    I should have asked if there was a defibrillator around.
    Leah walked into Josh’s apartment, wearing a silver lacy dress that was at least six inches above her knees. It covered her chest, but when she turned as Josh went to greet her, she revealed a bare back and I felt weak in the knees. Her dark hair was cascading over her left shoulder, in long curled tendrils, and her legs ended beautifully with her feet in red fuck-me heels.
    I hope Josh invited a doctor. I’m gonna need one of those too.
    Riley’s phone rang and she smiled when she looked at it. “It’s Alex,” she mouthed, and Leah smiled and said something to her.
    Josh led Leah over to the bar and put his hand on her lower back when he stood and watched her eye the numerous bottles of alcohol.
    I start walking over, ready to tear his limb from his body and beat him with it. Just as I reach them, before I bang on my chest and declare Leah all mine, a woman grabs Josh’s attention and he takes his hand off Leah’s back.
    I cool down—a tad.
    The woman flirts with Josh, and he turns his back on Leah. She orders a drink and the bartender makes it for her.
    “Can I ask you something?” I whisper when I walk up behind her, placing my hand on her hip and my lips against her ear.
    I feel her body tense and she turns her head slightly. “What would that be?”
    “Did you wear those shoes because you wanted them up over my shoulders?”
    “Maybe,” Leah breathed.
    I almost threw her over my shoulder and carried her off. Instead, I took her hand and pulled her away from the bar, her untasted drink, Riley and everyone else at the party.
    Fuck the good girl. There was a bad girl in there, dying to get out. And I’ll be damn sure I’m going to help with her unveiling.
    I fling open the door to my bedroom, and whirl her in. Keeping my grasp on her, I slam the door and lock it. Not chancing anyone coming in.
    Leah slightly stumbles on the floor, and giggles sweetly. “I didn’t even get my drink.”
    “Forget the drink, baby. You’re gonna want to lay down for this.”
    All the pent up excitement, anguish, and lust-filled burning that has been aching in my gut since I saw her, is overflowing and about to fill the room. I rush her and take her face in my hands, my mouth greedily—and finally—taking those full lips without asking.
    Leah’s hands leave her sides and grip my biceps, she softly moans into my mouth and I almost lose it right there. She wants this just as badly as I do.
    My lips leave hers just as a gasp escapes her mouth, and I rain down kisses and bites on her jaw and neck. She tastes even better than she smells—if it’s even possible. Her chest rises and falls rapidly and I realize that my breathing is just as loud and erratic as hers