Damien (Heart River Valley: Rugged Mountain Men #2)

“Love you too, bro.”

The rest of the rehearsal and subsequent dinner go by quickly. I find it irritating that there are assigned seats at dinner, which means I can’t sit by Charleigh. And then get irritated at the fact that I am irritated about it. Fuck.

And then during dinner I have a clear view of the cowboy who keeps flirting with her. And I get irritated at how much she laughs at his jokes and smiles at the fucker. And then get irritated that THAT irritates me. So by the time we all say goodnight and head to our rooms, I’m pissed.

Charleigh and I ride the same elevator up to our floor and happen to be the only two that get out. As I follow her down the hall, she turns and smiles at me. “Wasn’t that fun? I had a great night, what about you?”

“Fine.”

She frowns. “What’s wrong? You didn’t enjoy the dinner?” she asks as she opens the door to our room. Before I can answer she exclaims, “Damien! Look! They made a fire in our fireplace. Oh, isn’t it fantastic?!”

She beams at me, and some of the tension I’ve been feeling starts to ease. Charleigh sits down on the sofa in front of the fire and sighs as she kicks her high heels off.

“Oh, my feet were killing me tonight.”

I sit down on the other end of the sofa after tossing my jacket on the bed nearest the door. She leans back and puts her feet up on the sofa. “Ugh, I hope my feet don’t swell up tonight. What will I do if they are so sore I can’t wear my heels for the wedding tomorrow?”

“Jeez, just give ‘em to me already.” I reach for her left foot and start to massage it.

“What are you doing?” she says, pulling her foot back.

“I’m trying to get you to stop complaining so I can sit here in peace and quiet. Now give me your foot so I don’t have to listen to you whine any more.” I can tell she’s torn between wanting to let me have it, and wanting me to massage her feet.

“Fine,” she says as she thrusts her feet into my lap. I pick one up and rub my thumbs along the sole of her foot before working on her toes. We sit there in silence, the fire crackling and popping.

Charleigh moans as I apply a little more pressure to her foot, and the sound goes straight to my cock. Her eyes flutter and close, and her breathing slows. I take a moment to stare at her. Her long blond hair is splayed out over the sofa pillow, the golden strands reflecting the light from the fire. Her full pouty lips part slightly, and I find myself wanting to run my tongue along her lower one.

Shaking my head, I put her left foot down and start to massage the right, making her stir. I think she’s fallen asleep when she whispers, “I take it back.”

“What?”

“You aren’t the biggest ass on the planet.”

I grin to myself. “Oh no?”

“No,” she says, then continues. “Maybe top 3, but not the biggest.”

I glance at the fire, reminded of a line from one of my favorite plays by Shakespeare. “And when two raging fires meet together, they do consume the thing that feeds their fury.”

She’s silent for a moment, and I assume she’s fallen asleep. But then I hear her soft voice once again. “I’m not a shrew, Damien,” she says, eyes still closed, but the corners of her mouth curl up adorably. I’m more than a little impressed she got my reference, even if I’ll never admit it.

Chapter 5

Charleigh

My sweet friend Maddie was the most beautiful bride. The wedding ceremony and everything about it, from her dress to the decor to the cake to the champagne to the cute little party favors that are ornaments of the resort, it was all perfect. Maddie and Nash are smiling at each other as they finish their first dance, and I’m swaying to the music when I feel a presence behind me.

I don’t know why I expect it to be Damien, but I’m surprised and slightly disappointed when I turn and see the cowboy I was seated next to at dinner last night. What was his name? Oh right. Rob. He’s tall and handsome, in that smug way that you know he knows. But I don’t mind the attention. “Care to dance?” he asks, holding his hand out.

“I’d love to” I smile at him, taking his hand. Something about the way he puffs his chest out as he leads me to the dance floor gives me the ick, but I brush it off. It’s just a dance. The music is fast, and Rob’s dancing isn’t half bad. I enjoy showing off my moves while he stays close, trying to put his hands on my hips. I manage to slip out of his grasp each time like it’s all part of my dancing.

Marley and Colton end up beside us, and I smile at them as Rob takes my hand and twirls me around before pulling me against him. The music changes to a slow song, and he slides his hands a little too low on my backside as he leans down against my ear. “You are so hot, Charleigh. I can’t keep my eyes off you.”

I step away from him, fanning myself. “Thanks Rob. I uh, think I’m getting a little overheated. I’ll be right back.” I turn around before he can stop me and make my way through the crowd straight to the bar. “Just a water, please,” I say to the smiling bartender who tosses some ice in a glass before pouring the water in and handing it to me with a flourish. “Thanks.”

He nods and turns to the next guest as I step to the side. Scanning the crowd I see Rob making a beeline straight for me. Great. I’m about to head to the ladies’ room when my eyes land on Damien. He winks at me before cutting Rob’s path off. They are too far away for me to hear what they are saying, but Rob’s smile fades to a frown and he looks at me with disgust before turning away. What the hell?

Damien saunters over to where I’m standing, a triumphant grin on his face.