Page 42 of Wildest Forever (Lovelock Bay #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY

PACEY

S itting at the table, my arm is thrown around the back of her chair and my fingers up and over her shoulder, but with each stroke, the tingling intensifies.

I watch her with intent, the way her eyes light up as she listens to Amora's stories from back home in England, her lips pressing into a smile as she soaks up every word that leaves her lips.

Titus is sitting proudly next to his wife, his arm hooked around her shoulder. Nate and his wife James sit the other side of Titus and they're in quiet conversation with Tripp and Dixie.

Riggs and Aspen shuffled around next to me and Aspen seems to be bouncing between the two conversations that are going on.

Trailing my eyes over my shoulder, I look at my friend and my chest feels heavy for just a moment.

Austin is standing at the bar with Sunny, both sitting with sombre looks on their faces as they talk amongst themselves.

It must feel weird for both of them to be sat at a 'couples' table and not feel like they belong.

Which is silly, because of course they belong, but I also get why they would think that.

Sighing softly, my spare hand reaches for my chilled beer bottle as I bring it to my lips and take a mouthful.

“So how long have you two been married?” Amora's British accent sweeps across me and I let my eyes land on her. Red hair, ivory skin with a dusting of freckles and indifferent eyes. One brown. One blue.

“Few months,” Morgan answers and I smile, placing the bottle back on the table.

“Ah, still in the honeymoon period,” she smiles back at me and leans into Titus.

My nose scrunches and I bite my tongue.

“No such thing as a honeymoon period,” Riggs grunts beside me, a cocky smile on his lips. Aspen rolls her eyes and shakes her head from side to side.

“For you,” Aspen twists her lips, “but we have good and bad days don't we.”

Riggs raises his brows as if this is new information to him.

“You may darlin' but everyday with you is a good day,” and I laugh softly beside him.

“I didn't mean that,” Amora smiles, looking up at Titus then back to Riggs.“I just meant right now, everything is so new and exciting. You soon fall back into the routine of life, just with an extra person by your side.” her hand moves to her stomach, “or an extra two,” she crinkles her nose.

“How exciting,” Morgan claps her hands, “when are you due?” a giddy smile on her face and I watch as her eyes light up.

“Still got another six months to go,” she smiles down at her bump, hand dipping beneath it.

“Ah, so not long after Dix,” Aspen flutters her eyes over to Dixie and tilts her head to the side. Dixie sighs, her hand rubbing her bump.

“I am so ready to have this baby out of me though,” she admits then shuffles in her seat.

Riggs tears his eyes away for a moment and I watch as his large hand covers Aspen's.

“Do you have kids?” James asks and I see the way Aspen's smile drops and sadness floats through me.

Aspen just about manages to shake her head and Riggs clears his throat as he scoops her small hand in his, bringing it to his lips and dusting soft kisses on her skin.

“We haven't been blessed with children,” she looks up at my brother and my heart breaks.

I can see the way Amora, Titus, Nate and James' faces fall at her sad tone.

“We will be though, it's just not the right time for us yet Wildflower, that's all,” Riggs pulls her towards him and lets her slip under his arm.“Plus, what with your book signing... they're in our path baby, just not yet,” and she sniffles a little and Amora's lips turn down.

“I'm so sorry,” her hand reaches across the table and rests over Aspen's.

“Please don't be sorry,” she smiles across the table. James sits a little awkward and Nate gives her a reassuring thigh squeeze.

“It's one of those things; we're blessed with health and a good life. A child would be a bonus, and like Riggs said, we will get our time,” she sits up and reaches for the stem of her wine glass, dragging it towards her.

“Who fancies a tequila?” Morgan says her voice a little chirpy and Aspen's eyes light up.

“Yes please!” she happy dances in the booth and Riggs lets out a heavy sigh, scrubbing his face and I chuckle softly beside him, Tripp joining in.

Drunk Aspen is the best Aspen.

Morgan shuffles out which in turn has me moving out my seat. I wrap my arm around Morgan's waist and pull her towards me.

“Don't drink too much wife , I have plans for us after tonight,” and I hear her breath catching at the back of her throat, her face slowly turning to look at me.

And I know she is probably thinking I am talking about me sleeping with her, but that isn't what I have in mind at all.

In fact, I am taking her to see the stars, get to know her a bit more... and as much as I am desperate to be between her legs, my lips on hers, my fingers tangled in her hair... this means so much more.

Just me and her.

Placing a kiss on her cheek, I give her a slow wink then slip towards the table as Aspen shimmies past me. I roll my eyes, and she swats me in the top of the arm but I chuckle.

“God help me,” Riggs grumbles as he watches his wife's every move.

“You'll be in for a fun night,” I smirk, hand fisting into my pocket.

“Don't I know it,” Riggs smirks, licking his lips and I hover at the end of the table, Nate staring at me.

“You don't even realize who I am do you?” he laughs, and I look at him dumbfounded.

“Errr, Nate? You live next door to me and Morgan,” I look at Riggs, then to Tripp and they both shrug their shoulders.

“You called me last year.. asked me to put a tracker in someone’s phone.”

It takes a moment for the cent to drop but it does, and my mouth drops open.

“Ohhhhhh shit,” I laugh, rubbing my chin, the stubble scratching at my palm.

Nate smirks, standing from his seat and giving me a pat on the back.

“I trust all was okay,” he looks at me and I give him a nod.

“It was my wife’s phone you tracked,” Riggs pipes up and I nod.

“Was she in trouble?” Nate looks between me and my brother, and I roll my lips.

“No, she was going on a date and Mr possessive over here couldn't stand the thought of it.”

Nate chuckles, running his hand through his messy hair.

“Sounds like something me and my friends would have done,” he bobs his head, and I hear his wife James tut.

“Of course I wouldn't do that now,” Nate spins, tracking back and placing a kiss on her forehead.

“I'm going to join the girls for a tequila,” she announces, moving from her chair and disappearing towards where Morgan and Aspen are tucked up at the bar and I clock some random talking to her.

Spur boots. Aubergine crocodile skinned leather wrapped around them.Clean light denim jeans.Crisp white shirt. Matching aubergine cowboy hat, lowered so unable to see his face, but even if it wasn’t, the bottom half of his face was covered with a bandana.

Riggs catches me staring, Nate is beside me and Riggs grunts.

“Who the fuck is that?”

And we hear Tripp murmur.

“Fucking hell, here we go,” but we ignore him. Tripp is the peace maker, likes to be involved in the drama but doesn't like the confrontation.

But he would always be by our side if we needed him.

“You know him?” Nate asks.

I shake my head.

“Not a clue, but this isn't my stomping ground. We don't drift far from our town line but since our bar got burned down, and well, since I’ve been married to Morgan... this has become our local.”

He lifts his chin.

All three of us stand and watch the guy at the bar, watch how he leans in slightly, but it seems he has his eyes on one girl in particular.

My fucking girl.

I step forward but Riggs’ hand is on my shoulder, pulling me back in line.

“Calm it, you don't want to lose your head.”

Glancing at him, I narrow my gaze on him.

“Are you shitting me? Who are you and what have you done to Riggs?” rage bubbles deep inside of me but after a minute, I realize he is right.

I don't want to go in all guns blazing when it could in fact be a harmless conversation.

Riggs' hand slips from my shoulder and that kind of feels like a go-ahead sign.

I look at him, he looks at me, but then his eyes drift to Nate who nods in the direction of the trio.

Glaring forward, that's when I see them.

Walking over with a tray full of tequila shooters and relief settles in my stomach, cooling the rage that was once consuming me deep inside.

“See, could have got messy for no reason,” Riggs leans down and says quietly in my ear.

“I don't like this new Riggs,” I groan as my lips purse into a smile when she stops in front of me.

“I knew you were watching me cowboy .”

“Did you?” I look down at her, eyes darkening for a moment.

“Mmhm,” her soft voice floats over my skin and goosebumps prick at the base of my neck.

Time stands still for just a moment and we're not in Randy's.We’re standing in a meadow.

The sun is low in the sky, warm on my skin.

Her hair blows in the soft summer breeze and the smell of wildflowers consume me whole.

I want to slow dance with her right here, right now, but not here in Randy's.

I want to dance privately so I am consumed wholly.

With. Her.

I snap out of my thoughts when I feel her hand on my chest.

“Move over cowboy,” she winks, tilting her head back as she looks at me.

I do as she asks.

I step aside but my eyes follow her as I do, landing on her ass for just a minute and I feel like I am about to be caught sneaking a look at her.

She places the tray on the table, and I see James' eyes light up.

“Tequila is the best shooter, convince me otherwise,” Morgan murmurs as she takes a glass and holds it in front of her. James and Aspen take one too.

Nibbling on my bottom lip, I cross my arms across my chest and can't fight the smile even if I wanted to.

Aspen's eyes are bouncing between the girls and Riggs is waiting with bated breath knowing that this is only going to go one way.

Aspen is going to get drunk.

She either cries or laughs.

I am hoping it's the latter.