Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)(42)

“Mmm.”


“That was a damn content mmm.”


“Mmm.”


He whispered, “Skylar. Marry me.”


She whispered back, “No.”


A pause lingered and he sighed. “Give me a reason why you’re always sayin’ no?”


Should she deflect? Lie? Or buck up and admit the truth?

“See? Even you can’t think of one good reason.”


“Wrong.” Skylar lifted her head and looked him straight in the eye. “I keep saying no, because I’ve been married before.”


Chapter Fifteen


Kade looked at the embarrassment and truth warring in Skylar’s eyes. “You’ve been married before?”


“Yes.”


“When?”


“Years ago.”


“Why didn’t you tell me?”


“Because it wasn’t the happiest time in my life, okay? I swore I’d never dwell…forget it.” Skylar tried to maneuver off him, but he clamped his hands on her hips, keeping her in place, keeping his cock imbedded in her.

“No f*ckin’ way. You don’t get to blurt out something like that and then run off like a scared bunny, Sky.”


“I’m not scared.” In response, she looked down at her hands braced on his chest, as if she’d just realized she was pushing him away.

“Then talk to me.”


“Please. Let me go.”


He inhaled a deep breath. “If I let you up, will you promise to stay here and tell me about it?” His hand slid up her arm to her shoulder. He twined his fingers in a section of her silky hair. “You gotta know nothin’ you tell me is gonna make me change my opinion of you. And you can trust me to keep my mouth shut. Lord, I seem to be well-versed in keepin’ secrets.”


“I guess I never have heard you talking trash about anyone. Not even your family.”


“See? It’s because I’m trustworthy.”


Skylar didn’t look up. “Would you have a glass of wine if I opened a bottle?”


“Sure. I’d like that.”


“Let me climb off this ride, cowboy, before we get permanently stuck together.”


“I sure wouldn’t complain about that, sweetheart.”


Sky lifted off his softened cock. She scooted back and stood between his legs.

Kade snagged her hand before she ran off. “Just so you don’t get any ideas about puttin’ them clothes back on, the nekkid rule still applies. Even while we’re talkin’.”


“We’re drinking wine in the living room…nude?”


“Yep. And I wouldn’t mind if you walked into the kitchen nice and slow, so I can get all hot and bothered starin’ at your luscious ass.”


She blushed before she headed out of the room.

“Oh yeah, baby, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Shake it a little more. Mmm. Mmm.

Damn, Sky, you are one smokin’ hot mama.”


She gifted him with a “come and get me” grin over her left shoulder.

“You’re gonna pay for that look, woman.”


“I can’t wait.”


Kade ditched the condom and tried to wrap his head around Skylar’s unmentioned marriage. These days it wasn’t a big deal to be divorced. They’d gone out a dozen times last year; it should’ve come up in conversation at least once. So why hadn’t she told him?

Why didn’t you tell her you were Kade, not Kane?

Shit. He hadn’t thought of that. Man, it seemed they were both good at telling half-truths. Haunted by memories they’d rather push aside than openly discuss.

It wasn’t the happiest time in my life.

He understood the desire to move on from the past. He’d done it, sending himself on a sabbatical to straighten out the mess his life had become. During the time away from family and friends, he decided he wasn’t going to live his life full of regret for time and opportunities lost. Nor would he wait around for happiness to float into his life. He was going after it like a rodeo junkie chases the gold buckle: full throttle.

Watching his cousins living the life of home and hearth, the life Kade had always wanted, made him more determined to make that happen for himself. On his terms. Yeah, he knew exactly what he wanted. And she walked in the room stark naked holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“What are you smiling at, Kade?”


“You. What a pretty picture you make completely buck-ass nekkid.”


She poured the glasses full of ruby-colored liquid, then sat on the opposite end of the couch with her knees tucked under her.

He didn’t comment when she downed nearly half the contents in one long swallow.

A couple of minutes passed before she spoke. “You know I grew up in California.

Graduated top of my college class. I scored a primo job at an ad agency in LA right out of college. Big money. Lots of prestige. I had my career all planned out. It never bothered me to be one of those women who are really successful in their work, but a total failure when it came to personal relationships.