Page 23 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)

Duke

I really should have fought my own will harder in the car.

Seeing Cherry in my apartment feels so wrong, but also so goddamn right.

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t dreamt of her here once or twice, wrapped up in my arms in bed, or lounging on the couch with me – even if I did berate myself for days afterwards.

But the good thing is, it was always just a figment of my imagination, where no one knows what’s going on. Where I can’t hurt or upset anyone.

But now she’s here, wearing the white T-shirt I put out for her, and nothing else .

She’s forgone the sweatpants, and miles of long, slender, smooth legs shoot out from beneath the top.

I’m certain my brain has short-circuited and lost all memory of how to function.

Even trying to pull a T-shirt over my head feels too overwhelming.

And when I hear her say something about shampoo and looking a mess, I can’t stop my thoughts from spilling out, ‘You never look a mess.’

My body’s drowning in adrenaline after having to pick her up at the diner and then learning what Levi did to her. Even more after cradling her sweet body against me, knowing that, even if it was for only a minute, I could be her solace.

I can’t paint or go for a ride right now to process and push back down all the emotions swirling in my body, because I need to be here for Cherry.

Which means I’m struggling to stop my thoughts from spilling out.

Just like when I told her about the paintings of Mom.

But that’s not how we’re raised here as men in small towns – even if I know it’s toxic, it’s hard to shrug out of that.

Especially when it’s served me – I found purpose amongst the storm of grief by being there for my grandparents after Mom died, and the same again when Grandfather passed, let alone in general for the town.

Though, I can’t pretend that the way Cherry just held space for me to talk didn’t feel refreshing. That it didn’t crack a small light onto those shadows I try to keep at bay.

But worry spikes through that light again when Cherry suddenly asks, ‘Wait, are you leaving Willow Ridge?’

My head shoots through the T-shirt with a scrambled pop. ‘What? Where did you—’

‘You’re selling the bar.’ Cherry leans against my desk, eyes flicking between me and the now lit-up laptop screen. Her fingers clasp the edge of the desk so tight, like she might fall. ‘Sorry, I – it came up on your laptop. I didn’t mean to pry—’

‘Cherry.’ I wasn’t ready to get into this yet. I haven’t even said yes.

‘ Duke .’

Slamming the drawers shut, I then run my hands over my head. ‘No, it’s – ah, fuck – it’s just a valuation. To see what collateral I have.’

‘Collateral?’

A heavy sigh rushes out of me, and the next thing I know, I’m walking back until my legs hit the edge of the bed and I take a seat.

My head falls into my palms. ‘I … an old friend of mine, Kelly, wants to partner up and open a bar in the city. Another Duke’s, I guess. Somewhere that reminds him of home.’

‘Oh … Kelly is a guy .’ The last word comes out on a laugh.

‘Yeah.’ My brow furrows. ‘Kip Kelly, remember? From the football team?’

Cherry nods, her expression softening.

‘He owns a few bars in the city already and found a space for another which he wants to work on with me. We keep in contact every now and again, but he reached out at the start of the summer and …’

Cherry settles herself next to me on the in bed, the worry in her eyes moments ago now extinguished and replaced with something bright and hopeful. ‘That’s amazing. A good opportunity, right?’

Tension swarms my chest. ‘I guess … Duke’s does well since it’s the only bar in town, but I’m nowhere near the richest guy in Willow Ridge.

I can fuel my passion for motorcycles and keep my grandmother afloat so the opportunity to invest in and run a second bar could offer the extra cash that would make life just that little bit easier, while expanding my grandfather’s name and legacy, but …

’ I roll my lips together, trying to push back down the fears crawling up my throat. ‘It’s complicated.’

‘Right.’ Cherry tilts her head with a chuckle, then starts shuffling up the bed until she’s shifting herself under the covers.

I was hoping to be out of the room before she got in, so I didn’t have the image of her in my bed etched into my memory.

‘If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.

You always respect my boundaries when it comes to how I feel, so I’ll always give you the same grace.

But I’m also always here to listen. I know you like to be the shoulder for others to lean on, but you’re allowed to speak your mind too.

I’m your friend, Duke. You can trust me. ’

Would it be so bad to let her into my thoughts? To see that I’m not as stable as she might think. What if she doesn’t want to lean on me anymore? I love being there for her.

‘Besides …’ Cherry’s chest deflates on a sigh. ‘I think I’m gonna struggle to sleep with everything running through my mind about tonight, so you’d be doing me a favour. Give me something else to focus on so I might manage to get some sleep in.’

When she puts it like that, it’s hard to turn down – the opportunity to make her feel better.

She flips the bedsheet back beside her and pats the mattress. ‘At least sit with me, though. Don’t be weird and hang on the edge of the bed.’

A raspy laugh leaves my lips as I go to protest—

‘Please?’ Her big eyes blink at me, glistening in the moonlight like pure magic.

The bewitching kind that has me forgoing all my rules until I’m sidling up next to her, my legs under the covers, accidentally brushing hers and me wishing I wasn’t wearing sweatpants so I could feel the heat of her skin.

Cherry slinks down into the bed so she’s lying on her side, one arm tucked under the pillow as she looks up at me through her dark lashes. Calm floods my bloodstream seeing her there – warm, happy, safe. In my bed.

‘So …’ She nudges my leg with hers, the small touch already sending sparks through my body. ‘Why’s it complicated?’

I pull down a long breath. ‘Do you remember what I said on the Ferris wheel?’

Her brows shoot up. ‘About the kiss?’

‘No, I—’ I’ve done a good deal to try to push that conversation about the firework kiss out of mind.

But hearing that she hasn’t forgotten, that it’s her immediate association when I mention the Ferris wheel has my blood rushing quicker.

Because, fuck , it sounded like she was talking about us when she described it.

‘No. About being scared of losing people.’

‘Oh …’ Cherry bites down on her lip, making it harder to forget the memory of watching her mouth form the words rough and hard , as her voice cascaded along my skin like a whispering breeze. ‘Right, yeah.’

I close my eyes and rest my head back against the wall, swallowing thickly.

Each word starts off strangled but eventually becomes smoother the longer I speak.

‘I’m … worried that if I pursue this opportunity, I’ll have less time for people in Willow Ridge.

The very people who propped me up after I lost my mom.

I’ll have to spend some time in the city and then I won’t be around as much for my friends, or family, or the town, if I’m honest, and they’ll hate me for that.

That’s what I’m useful for – I’m always there for my customers, my friends, the whole goddamn town. ’

I think back to how the whole town pooled together resources to help keep Duke’s afloat when my grandfather first fell ill and I had to take over, to how the Hensley’s helped me organise a fundraiser – Hunter performing, Wyatt’s mom baking – and then to how Wyatt came back from college for a few weekends even while he was in the midst of studying to lend a hand with busier shifts.

‘What if I miss something that happens with Wyatt or Wolfman because I’m working away? Wyatt, especially, he’s always been there for me, and what if I can’t help him out with the ranch as much? I owe that to him. I can’t lose anybody else—’

‘Oh, Duke.’ Cherry reaches over, filtering her fingers through one of my hands.

The bold, unexpected move makes me freeze. Alarms blare in my head – this is crossing a boundary, especially since we’re in bed, and I know it’s all my fault for being so lax and needy with the touches I took from her earlier. As if I’ve gone and brushed away the line between us in the sand.

But that doesn’t mean I let go.

I’m transfixed by her innocent dark eyes, glistening like they’ve just discovered a hidden piece of my soul, as she says, ‘You’re not gonna lose anyone.

If anything, I think people would encourage you to go – you’re always looking out for everyone else, when was the last time you did something big just for you?

When did you last let yourself have something you wanted without worrying how other people would feel? ’

All I can do is shrug.

‘Come on.’ She squeezes my hand. ‘Tell me – what’s something you really want?’

You, you, you, my entire body sings, no matter how hard I try to fight it.

All I can do is level a look at her. Battle to keep my composure. A silence hovers between us as our eyes lock, Cherry’s dancing between mine, as she swallows.

‘I—’ Her hand tightens around mine. ‘I’m just saying you deserve to do this for yourself.

Your friends and family – the whole of Willow Ridge – always want the best for you.

You’ve done so much for everyone, you’re always there for them, no matter who it is that turns up at the bar.

And I know you do more than just listen for this town – you’ve fixed cars, given out free food and drink, found motels for people when they were too drunk to get themselves home. ’

Cherry’s gaze drops to our hands as she adds, ‘Even carried people to hospital after they’ve fallen from their horse … Maybe it’s your turn now, to be looked after by Duke. Besides,’ she says with a grin. ‘When you’re not around, you’ll be leaving Duke’s bar in capable hands.’

The chuckle rings out of me, and I can’t help but jest, ‘If that lap dancing escapade is any indication, then no, I don’t think I will be.’

‘Oh my God,’ Cherry squeals, pulling her hand from mine to hide herself under the sheets. ‘I’d hoped you’d forgotten about that.’

‘Believe me, I’m trying to,’ I reply too quickly, the words rushing out before I can veil the desperation in my tone.

Slowly, Cherry brings down the covers again, teeth tugging on her bottom lip when her face comes into view. Fuck, how many times have I thought about being able to catch her lips between my teeth when she does that? Wondered if she’d moan or gasp? It’s like it’s all hitting me at once.

That’s what all this vulnerability does to me.

I think that’s a signal to call it a night.

Before I say or do anything more.

I shrug. ‘Truth is, though, you’ll be gone by then.’

And just like that, the light fizzles from her eyes, and all that distance builds back between us. She rolls onto her back, letting her hands rest over her stomach as she stares up at the ceiling. She whispers, ‘I’ll just be in the city where the bar is instead. Where you could be too.’

Oh.

I hadn’t thought about it like that…

‘Maybe we should make another deal,’ she blurts out. When my response is merely an inquisitively raised brow, she elaborates, ‘If you agree to the second bar, I’ll do something in return.’

I know she doesn’t mean it sexually, but fuck , that’s how it sounded. That’s how messed up my head is right now. That’s what happens when you let Cherry Hensley walk around your apartment in just a T-shirt.

In the midst of all my racing, burning thoughts, a bright idea pings in my mind. ‘If I move forward with the business deal, you have to take a horse-riding lesson.’

Her eyes flash, but she doesn’t hesitate to nod and confirm, ‘Okay. I can do that. Promise.’

‘Good …’ I really should leave now. ‘Thank you, Cherry. For letting me talk. I’ll give the bar some more thought.’

Given everything Cherry’s just said, I decide to momentarily relent and get one more touch before I go. So, I take Cherry’s hand, giving it what is meant to be a quick squeeze, but she clutches me tighter when I try to pull away.

Tired, shadow-lined eyes regard me with hope as she asks, ‘Will you wait with me until I’m asleep? Just so I’m not alone with my thoughts.’

And of course, my response is, ‘Anything you want, Baby Hensley.’