Braving the Storm (Crimson Ridge #2)

Chapter 15

I ’m supposed to be getting ready for a date.

There are three cute outfits laid out on the bed, and yet all I can think about—the obsession worming away in my brain—is the fact I made myself come while grinding in my uncle’s lap last night. All I can focus on is the lingering imprint on my memory and the scent of him coiling around me. The way his mouth felt brushed up against my ear.

You look so pretty touching yourself in my truck.

Jesus, my thighs squeeze together at the replayed words in my mind, the ever-present echo of his gravelly voice.

Worst of all, is that I lay awake hoping and praying that he would come and finish what we’d started. Even though a tiny part of me knew he wouldn’t allow us to keep going with the dangerous game we’d entered into outside. As soon as my fingers closed over the handle of the door to his truck, when my eyes dared seek out his, I knew the spell was broken.

Along with the chill of the night air, the quiet thud of the truck door shutting sealed the moment and locked it away.

He didn’t approach the bedroom at any point. I heard him eventually come inside, but stayed on the couch. Leaving me alone, feeling like the mattress that had previously seemed far too small, now stretched out all around me like an ocean without a horizon.

By the time I got up this morning, he’d already left.

After the conversation we’d briefly had about not driving my car, I’m not entirely sure how to make my way down to Crimson Ridge. Maybe he’ll come back soon? Somehow, I doubt it.

I don’t imagine my dating life is particularly high on the agenda of my uncle, who growled in my ear, gripped my thighs, and told me he knows what my body craves. There is absolutely zero hope for me, absolutely no chance of me not turning into a puddle around that man now.

Might as well pack my carry-on and admit defeat. Horny Briar almost got what she wanted, but has made for things to become extremely awkward between us. Did I come onto him too strongly? Have I been the world’s biggest cock tease?

Or did the man who held me and talked me through the most intense orgasm of my life actually want something more with me?

As I clutch my robe and try to gather together my brain cells, I hear gravel crunch beneath tires outside. This is it. This is the moment he’s going to stride in here, he’s going to fold his arms across that massive chest and tell me to get the fuck out of his life, I’m certain of it.

But instead, there’s a knock against the doorframe, and I hear soft footsteps.

“Briar? Are you here? Are you decent?”

I poke my head out of the bedroom door and am met with the sight of a beaming Layla, who has two thermoses in hand. She looks stunning as ever, a horse-girl wet dream dressed in pale jeans, a turquoise sweater, and copper curls tossed into a messy bun.

Gaping at her unexpected arrival, it takes my brain an eternity to find words.

“Sorry, I’m kind of only half dressed. I didn’t know you were coming.” Next to this girl, I feel like hot garbage .

“You can thank me later; I hear you need help getting ready for a date and that you could use a ride down the mountain.” She breezes toward me, presents me with a divine aroma of coffee with creamer, and carries on into the bedroom. “Ooooooh, cute outfits. Which one are you thinking?” Layla plops down on the edge of the bed.

“Thanks for the coffee. But, how do you know I’ve got a date?” My eyes narrow on her. News can’t travel that fast around Crimson Ridge, surely?

“Storm radioed up to the ranch earlier this morning. Said you needed a ride to town today… and might have mentioned something about bringing a gun with me in case a certain Hayes boy decides to get a little too handsy over lunch.” Layla’s green eyes dance as she takes a sip, winking at me.

“Oh god. He didn’t?”

“I told him to stop being an overbearing uncle and let you live your best life.”

I have to risk burning my mouth by taking the biggest gulp of coffee ever to hide the way my face wants to betray every dirty little secret from the events of his truck.

“So, are you going for cute-hot, or rail-me-cowboy-hot for this date?

That makes me almost spit my coffee all over the place. “Layla.” I scold.

“What? Wes is fiiiiine … don’t tell Colt I said that because he might bury him on the outskirts of the ranch next time he sees him, but I can appreciate a premium specimen of cowboy when I see one.”

“I don’t know, what do you think would be the best to wear? Suddenly, I’m really nervous.” I rest the heel of my hand against my forehead. “Layla… I haven’t been on a date in…” Forever. Never. I’ve never dated because my awful goddamn family didn’t allow me to and shoved me straight into the arms of Antoine since it suited their schemes and power-plays.

Bless the gorgeous woman seated in front of me; she takes my flustered attitude in her stride and doesn’t make me feel anything but supported.

She’s an angel living on Devil’s Peak, I’m certain of it.

“It’s ok. You’re going to do amazing, and it’s obviously meant to be that I’m here to be your one-woman hype squad. I’ve got you. Besides, I needed to go into town anyway, and you’ve got nothing to be worried about. From what I know, Wes is not only easy to look at, but he is also a really good guy.”

“Aren’t all the good ones supposed to be taken?” I scrunch my nose.

Layla chuckles. “Well, I didn’t say he wouldn’t be complicated…”

Nothing can be more complicated than the fact I would gladly get on my knees for my uncle, so I can only agree with her on that front.

“It’s coffee and lunch. I should probably stick with cute-hot… right?” Standing in front of the bed, I survey the options I’ve already laid out.

“To be honest, Briar, I think no matter what you wear, our boy Wes is going to be staring at you with big ol’ cowboy-shaped hearts in his eyes… so wear something you feel good in. The rest of the magic will work by itself.”

“Can I hire you to sit on my shoulder and flatter my ego all day?”

“Might have to get in line with the horses. Those needy things have my attention locked down.” She reaches to pluck the coffee out of my hand. “Ok, let’s do this. I vote for this adorable combo right here, city girl.”

That brings a smile creeping over my lips. It’s the one I know will feel good when I wear it. A fitted jersey dress with long sleeves and a buttery soft ribbed material that I can pair with my new boots and a coat. I’ll probably be far too overdressed for lunch at a tiny cafe in Crimson Ridge, but what do I care when there’s only one man I intend to leave an impression upon today ?

Rolling my lips together, I quietly shush the slutty little part of my brain that decides to pipe up and point out there is most definitely another cowboy I’m secretly hoping will see me in this outfit.

“Let me get changed, and I’ll be out soon. Make yourself comfy.”

“You’re going to make me fall in love with you, aren’t you, Briar Lane?” Layla calls after me, giggling.

As I slip into the bathroom and finish getting ready, I hear her move through the cabin toward the warmth of the fire.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve already booked you for another date…” She calls out from the lounge. “My bestie Sage is going to be in town. She’s flying in to come visit.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“She’s just launched her own PR and marketing brand… freelancing… generally being a badass and ruling the world.”

Layla carries on telling me details of their friendship since they were young, how long Sage is going to be here in town for, and generally makes all of it sound so effortless. Completely normal and casual and the kind of thing that doesn’t have any preconceived ulterior motives around business connections or potential clients to be wooed.

This is just girlfriends supporting one another, and my heart squeezes that this girl, who I barely know, is already inviting me to be part of this kind of celebration.

“So, I already call dibs on you and Storm joining us for dinner that night, alright? Maybe even Wes can come, too… if you guys hit it off today.”

I stare at my reflection in the mirror over the vanity, allowing her words to sink in. There’s a twist deep in my gut because even though Layla is absolutely right, if things go well today, there is every chance I might be going out to dinner with her and her friend, with him coming along as my date.

But as I tug the dress on and smooth out the fabric, my stomach flips. There’s a voice that is far too loud inside me, saying that I only want to have one man there for an evening out with friends.

And it’s the man I shouldn’t desire.

“You’re sure I look ok?” I ask Layla for what feels like the tenth time since we left the cabin. She puts the truck in park and fishes her bag out of the back seat.

“If that man doesn’t already have a plot of land and a house planned out for the two of you on his ranch by the time you’ve ordered a meal, I’ll be shocked.” My face must go pale because she shakes her head and laughs at me. “I’m joking, Briar.”

“Not funny.”

“I take it that’s a no on ‘seeking cowboy and marriage proposal’ over lunch, then?”

“Layla.” I shake my head and groan.

She laughs at me, green eyes sparkling.

“Ok, so I’ve got plenty of jobs I need to get done, it’ll take me a few hours at the least. You’ve got my number to text me if you need an SOS get me out of here emergency phone call.”

That makes me bite back a smile. “Horse emergency?”

“I can be as creative as you like. Give me a number from one to ten if you need and that way I’ll know how extreme of an emergency I need to conjure up. One is like I’ve got a sudden migraine; ten means the entire Peak is on fire.”

“Why do I feel like my palms are sweating?” I shake my hands. Nerves fire through my bloodstream as I glance up at the cafe where I’m supposed to be in five minutes’ time.

“You’ll be fine.” Layla toys with the keys and looks like she’s trying to figure out something. “Just… remember this is a small town, ok? Local rumor and gossip… you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wes knows your uncle, but don’t believe everything you might hear about Storm from some of the locals here. Especially once they find out you’re his niece.”

I must have the world’s most confused expression written all over my face. This was not what I expected for my pre-date pep talk. Is she talking about the fact my uncle obviously has a fair bit of female attention? Is this about the waitress from last night and whatever might be going on between the two of them? Just thinking about that makes me cringe, because I certainly was quick to hop in his lap and grind all over him, and there was no effort on his part to stop things from going as far as they did between us.

“God, ignore me. It’s just… St?rmand Lane is kind of a local celebrity and not just for his rodeo achievements. I just didn’t want you to get caught off guard by the kind of people in this town who don’t know anything about his life, yet seem to want to jump to conclusions without knowing the facts.”

I’m trying to find words, as we both start moving to get out of the truck. My phone is in my hand from when I checked the time and to confirm that Wes wasn’t going to stand me up, and as I shut the door behind me it starts ringing at the same time.

Un-fucking-believable. My stupid thumb hits the answer button by accident.

Layla waves at me and hitches her thumb over her shoulder, mouthing that she’ll see me soon and good luck and disappears down the street.

“Briar? Don’t hang up. Please, babe.” The voice I never want to hear again pleads down the line.

Steeling myself and looking toward the cloudy sky above my head, I raise the phone to my ear.

“What do you want?” At least I am standing right outside the cafe where I’m supposed to meet an exceedingly handsome man for a date, and that gives me enough of a surge of confidence, well enough to feel like I can handle my douchebag ex for two minutes over the phone at least .

“Thank god you’re ok.” Antoine’s fake concern sounds hollow down the line.

“You don’t give a shit about whether I’m ok. We both know this, Antoine. Stop trying to contact me.”

“Briar, please, you have to know how sorry I am.”

“Really? You’re sorry? That’s bullshit I can smell even from here.”

“What will it take for you to come home?”

That draws a cold laugh out of me and I pull the phone away from my ear, staring at the screen in disbelief.

“Briar… babe… are you still there…” His voice sounds as tinny as his pathetic whining.

“No. I’m hanging up this phone and I don’t want you to try and contact me anymore. We’re done.” My hands might be shaking, but I keep my voice firm and low. Not that there is anyone else around, however I’m conscious all the same that this is a small town, unlike in a big city where you overhear all kinds of random arguments over the phone between strangers in the middle of the day and on the center of the sidewalk, that kind of thing probably doesn’t happen here.

Not without causing enough of a commotion for it to be news all over town.

“Crisp is worried sick, too. She’s been trying to contact you.”

“God—Antoine—Can you just stop? Don’t waste your breath, we both know that’s a lie.”

“We care about you.”

“Yeah, so much caring. Were you thinking of me while you were balls deep in your secretary? Were you thinking of us when she sucked you off under your desk at the office?” I hiss into the phone. The rage of everything I discovered about his after-hours exploits burns hot and vicious up the back of my throat.

But I refuse to fucking cry over this asshole. I refuse to ruin my makeup and my day because of his lies and bullshit.

“Come on, babe. You know how it is.” He shuffles something around in the background. Papers or files. Shoving his already absent morals aside, perhaps. “You knew the deal between our families. You knew things weren’t going to be like a fairytale or some shit, but we can be good together. You’re a Lane, I’m a Montgomery. There are different sets of expectations for people like us.”

Oh, fuck him very much.

He and my sister could offer a PhD in gaslighting and manipulation.

“You know I’ve got PI’s on retainer all over the country. If you continue to avoid my calls, I’ll be forced to send out every bloodhound I’ve got looking for you. Do you really want to have to go through all that nonsense?”

“Are you done?” I suck in a deep inhale and close my eyes. The sounds of the quiet street fill my ears. Somewhere, there’s faint music drifting on the breeze and I hear chatter as a group of women walk out of the cafe.

“Where are you? I’ll fly to get you. Just come home, Briar.”

Those words send a cold shudder down my spine. That place is not my home. Antoine and my sister are the worst type of people, and I have no intention of going back.

“Actually, I’m late for coffee, gotta go.”

With that, I hang up, and turn my phone on silent.

I’m going on a date, and if I have my way, the names Antoine Montgomery and Crispin Lane can be dust in my rearview mirror.