Ride Her Hard Read online

  “No, you don’t know how to get a woman to eat when she’s on a date with you. There’s a difference.”

  “Piss off.” Rome glared at Caleb.

  “Stop focusing on yourselves here. Do I call her or not?”

  “Did you screw her?” Caleb asked.

  He scowled at his brother, who held his hands up.

  “If you screwed her and she was just a bit of fun, then you don’t call. If you want to hear from her, then you’ve got to call back.” Caleb shrugged. “It’s that easy.”

  He looked at Caleb.

  “Why make it so hard on yourself? You like her, right?”

  “Yes, you know I like her.” Everyone in his family knew he liked her. “I’m going to go ask her on a date. Watch the shop.”

  “Whoa, what the fuck? I’m not your employee.”

  “You’re my brother, so watch the shop. It’s the least you two could do for me,” he said, leaving the shop.

  “If it burns down to the ground, I hope you’re insured,” Caleb called after him.

  After closing the door, he walked with purpose down the street, heading toward the florist shop. It was after lunchtime, so he was hoping to catch Eliza. She hadn’t been using the crutches. He’d seen her from afar a couple of times, but he hadn’t had the guts to actually approach her.

  As he entered the florist shop, his hands felt a little clammy.

  Their time together Sunday night had been explosive. He’d felt her come around his dick and beg him for more. They’d fucked twice, and he’d been ready to go a third time, but exhaustion had swept her up and she’d fallen asleep in his arms. He’d held her close, watched her sleep, and he’d just wanted her any way he could get her.

  There was nothing else he could say. He only wanted to have her again, in his life, in his bed, and she was everything to him.

  “Hey, James. What brings you here?” Aunt Betty asked. She was writing on a card then sliding it into a bouquet of flowers. He didn’t know what kind. He’d never taken the time to learn all the different kinds of flowers.

  “Er, is Eliza here?”

  “I sent her home to rest. She’s doing too much. Her ankle is on the mend but I don’t want her overdoing it. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  “No, it’s fine. There’s nothing. It’s fine.” He held his hand up.

  “You know, she’s been asking me if you called.”

  He looked back at Aunty Betty. “She did?”

  “Yep, she did. At least six times in the past couple of days. I’m not a fool and I know why a woman keeps asking if a guy calls. What’s going on?” she asked.

  James didn’t know how exactly to tell this woman he wanted to date her niece. Running a hand down his face, he tried to clear the fog from his mind. “I want to date her,” he said. “I want to be with Eliza. If you would give me your blessing.”

  She chuckled. “I thought you were supposed to ask the father for the blessing for her hand in marriage. Not just to date.”

  “You’re her everything,” he said. “I think it’s only fitting for you to know that when it comes to Eliza, I want her.” He honestly didn’t know how else to put it.

  “Is this some game to you?”

  “No game.”

  “She won’t become a laughing stock or known as one of the Fallen Hard Boy girls?”

  “Fallen Hard Boy girls? What’s that?”

  “It’s all the women who have fallen for you and your brothers.” She shrugged.

  “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “Well, it exists, and seeing as it was here with your father, I imagine for any kids you have, it will pass onto them. Now, if you have no intention of hurting her, and only to take care of her, then I will allow it. You can date my niece, but if you hurt her, I will hunt you down and kill you dead.” Aunt Betty said it with a smile on her lips. “I think that’s fair, don’t you?”

  “Wow,” he said.

  “I take care of her. I’ll always look out for her, and with that, it means threatening any person who thinks to take advantage.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  “Good. She’s at home. Check on her for me.”

  “I don’t suppose you’d keep an eye on my shop? I’ve left my brothers there, and well, I’d like to have a shop at the end of the day.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” She winked at him. “You don’t have to worry.”

  He rushed out of the shop, and he didn’t even bother to go back and get his car. He ran across the street and headed toward Aunt Betty’s house. He knew where she lived since he’d spent many times walking back and forth, trying to figure out how to ask Eliza on a date. It had never worked and he regretted it now. He could have been with her already, but she may not have even said yes to him. He had to remember that.

  Within twenty minutes, he was out of breath but walking up Aunt Betty’s front porch. Lifting his hand, he knocked on the door. Then he bent over, gathering his breath and waiting.

  She opened the door. “James.”

  “I want you to go out on a date with me.” He bent over again, panting.

  “This is … different.”

  He held his hand up, trying to stop panting. “This isn’t sexy.”

  “Depends on who’s looking. You’re all sweaty and hot. I don’t mind the view.”

  He looked up to see her smiling at him. “This is a different kind of visit.”

  “I’ve never done this. I don’t know what to do but I do know I want to date you. I want to be with you. How about we go out tomorrow night?” he asked.

  She smiled and nodded her head. “I’d like that. I’d like to go out.”

  “You’re not a Fallen Hard Boy girl.”

  “What?”

  “Aunt Betty. Apparently, there’s some kind of label. I don’t want you to think you are.”

  “I’ve never heard that one, but I guess you can tell me all about it. You can pick me up tomorrow night at seven.” She stepped out, and he put his hands on her waist, holding her. “You took your time, James Hard.” She kissed his lips. It wasn’t passionate, but it made him ache for more. “Tomorrow night.”

  ****

  “Tell me. Do I look like a slut?” Eliza asked, holding her arms out for her aunt to look.

  “Why would you look like a slut?” Aunt Betty pushed her spoon back into the ice cream and smiled.

  “The red? Is it too much?”

  It was a dinner dress, at least that was what it said on the label. It wasn’t overly expensive, so she’d picked it up, hoping it would suit their date. She had no idea what James had planned but could only hope it was fun and, well, in a restaurant. There was a small Italian place in town, and she loved pasta. She hadn’t eaten since lunch and was starving.

  “You look stunning.”

  “I don’t look fat?” She’d always been a bigger woman. Full hips, rounded stomach, and large thighs. She had big tits as well. She ran her hands down her hips.

  “No, you don’t look fat at all. You look stunning and I’ve got a feeling I’m going to need to clean up drool when James sees you.”

  “I don’t know about this. It’s like prom all over again.”

  “Only you’re going out on a date rather than eating ice cream with me.”

  “You don’t think I’m acting rashly?”

  “No, I think you’re a young woman who’s having some fun. You don’t know where this is going to go.”

  “He’s a Hard boy, though.”

  “Yeah, and his parents are happily married so there’s a chance it could happen for you as well.”

  She didn’t know. She had doubts.

  The doorbell rang.

  “I feel sick.”

  “Here, eat some ice cream.” Aunt Betty held out the spoon and she leaned forward so she didn’t get it down her dress.

  She swallowed the velvety chocolate ice cream and closed her eyes, moaning. “So good.” She licked her lips and the spoon clean before rushing
to the front door. Opening the door, she was a little shocked. James stood there in a suit, looking nothing like the DIY man she’d come to recognize. Jeans and a shirt did wonders, but the suit, it was new.

  “Wow,” they both said in unison.

  “I’ll add, wow, you both look amazing. I knew you would, but now I can see it for myself.”

  “You look stunning,” James said.

  “You clean up nicely as well.”

  They stood staring at each other.

  “I’m not going to wait up,” Aunt Betty said.

  Eliza quickly hugged her aunt and left with James, who held his arm out for her.

  “I booked us a table at the Italian place,” he said.

  “It sounds perfect.” The Italian place had a name but she didn’t know what it was off the top of her head. She had only known it as the “Italian place” since her aunt called it that as well.

  He walked her to his truck and held the door open for her. She slid inside, being careful of the dress. She waited. Her heart pounded as he climbed behind the wheel.

  Neither of them spoke during the drive to the restaurant. There was parking around the back, and they walked together, hand-in-hand toward the door.

  People milled around, and she caught sight of the shocked stares. “I think we’re going to be the talk of the town in no time.”

  “I don’t care. Let’s give them something to talk about.”

  Before she could guess his intention, he’d cupped her face and kissed her passionately. “Now they’ve got something to talk about.” He smiled at her before leading her through the door.

  The scents of garlic, tomatoes, and herbs assailed her, making her stomach growl.

  “I’m starving,” James said.

  The maître d’ at the door showed them to their table, and James pushed him aside, not letting him help her into her chair.

  They had a quiet table, just the two of them. The restaurant was full, and she saw a couple of men and women looking their way.

  “We really do make quite a pair, don’t we?” she asked.

  “Please don’t run away, but this is all I know. My brothers and I, we’re not known for making a big impression on the first date, or any date. This is the first time I’ve come to this restaurant. I did ask my parents. They said the food is good.”

  “I’m the first date you’ve brought here?”

  “Yes. You’re different, you’re special.”

  “Oh,” she said, her cheeks warming.

  “I’m sorry. It sounds like a corny pickup line, doesn’t it?”

  “It’s fine. I kind of like it.”

  “I … I don’t want to screw this up.”

  “It’s fine, honestly. I don’t mind. You can be as corny as you’d like.”

  They were handed the menus, and she let James order for them. They both had a glass of white wine, and when it came to the food, she ordered pasta with cream and cheese, and he ordered a steak.

  They were alone again, and silence fell between them.

  “You know, I always wanted to ask you on a date,” James said.

  She looked at him. “You did?”

  “I don’t know if you ever heard, but I wanted to ask you to prom.”

  “Oh, yeah, I did hear that rumor. I figured it was just mean gossip, you know, when you didn’t ask me.”

  “I wanted to,” he said, reaching across the table and taking her hand. “I kept trying to build up the courage to tell you I wanted to go on a date with you, but it was never the right time or you were always busy.”

  “You never asked me and I didn’t go.”

  “No, please tell me you didn’t go because I didn’t ask you.”

  “I wasn’t going to go to the prom on my own, James. That seemed too sad for me. I did have offers, you know. A couple of guys, but I thought you were going to ask me and I rather liked the idea of you asking me.”

  “I’m a bastard. I was too much of a coward.”

  “I find that hard to believe. How could you be a coward? You are one of the strongest people I know.”

  “Doesn’t mean that I wasn’t afraid of you saying no. Would you have said no?”

  She shook her head. “I would’ve said yes. I know a lot of girls were jealous.”

  “I knew you were special, even back then. You were different. You didn’t blush when you were around me, or treat me like I was someone special.”

  She chuckled. “I barely knew you. You were one of the most popular guys in school. You had a reputation even then. You were never mean to me, though. To be honest, I didn’t even think you knew I existed.”

  “I knew you existed, and I loved to watch you. Not in a stalker way.”

  “How then?”

  “I’d watch you during gym. Studying in the library. You liked to go there a lot. In the cafeteria. I loved how you didn’t even seem to care if no one sat with you. You were perfectly content with your books and some food.”

  She laughed. “I didn’t have many friends.”

  “You had a lot of friends, you just kept to yourself.”

  “I don’t know. For a long time, I always felt like the odd one out. I was the only person who lived with their aunt. When I’d make friends, everyone would ask what happened to my parents, and I got tired of the same story or people looking at me with pity.”

  “I know the story. I don’t pity you.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No, I know you love your aunt. She’s one of the most important people in the world to you.”

  “She really is. It was her who encouraged me to try college. I know I did well in school, but it was hard. You know? Nothing came easy to me. It’s why I did a lot of studying and I was always in a study group.”

  “You dropped out of college, right?”

  “Yes. It was a really hard decision as well. I worked my ass off to get a scholarship. My aunt and I spent hours poring over plans and ideas, and I finally told her I couldn’t do it. I didn’t know if I was ever going to make it because it was just too hard. I wasn’t happy. She knew I wasn’t happy. I dropped out. Got jobs. I gained experience because she still wanted me to live my life. I still wasn’t happy.”

  “You were gone for a long time.”

  She looked at him and licked her lips. “I, er, I tried to find her.”

  “Her?” he asked.

  “My mom. I haven’t told anyone about this, not even Aunt Betty. I tried to find my mom in the city, and I was successful.” She took a breath and couldn’t believe she was baring her soul on a first date.

  Chapter Six

  James knew this was a big deal.

  Their food came and stopped Eliza from saying anything while the waiter placed their plates down.

  Eliza smiled up at the man, and then they were alone again.

  “I shouldn’t say anything. It’s not really suitable for first-date material.”

  “Fuck whatever rules are in place that tell us where we can and can’t talk. I don’t want to hear it. Talk to me.”

  She blew out a breath. “Okay, fine. But if you think this is too much, let me know.”

  “Nothing is too much.”

  She pushed some hair out of her face, and he loved the blonde locks. She’d curled them and he wanted them spread out across his pillow as he fucked her again. He wanted them sliding down his body as she kissed her way to his dick.

  Head out of the bedroom.

  “Well, I decided to gain some experience. I worked jobs. Waitressing. I even tended a bar. I did a lot of odd jobs. I even worked in a DIY store, which is why I know how to handle your shop. If you ever have a sick day, I’m your girl. I know my way around most jobs.” She stopped to eat some pasta.

  He watched her, loving how she looked as she ate with relish, and he couldn’t help but think about Rome.

  “Anyway, I saved a little money, and after a conversation with Aunt Betty, I thought about finding my mom. She and my dad had left me alone in a trailer. No food, nothin
g. Just a dirty living environment. Aunt Betty came to see her sister, and she found me. That’s a lot of trauma in a nutshell.”

  He took her hand again. “Don’t worry. I love that we’re together, like this.”

  She took a deep breath, and he saw tears in her eyes, which she blinked away. “Anyway, I wanted to know what happened to them. Aunt Betty said she hadn’t heard from her sister in years. So I took the money I’d saved up went to a private investigator. I gave him all the details I knew. Date of birth, name, last known location. You know, the trailer park, and as much as I could think of. I don’t even know why I cared. Anyway, weeks passed, and I kept on working. I figured he was a fraud after money. A scam.”

  “It wasn’t?”

  “About two months after I paid him, he turned up at one of the bars where I worked. One of the smallest files I’d ever seen in his hands. Inside was a single slip of paper with an address. I recognized it. It was the block of apartments across from mine. I knew pimps, prostitutes, and addicts lived there.” She laughed. “I’d avoided it and according to this PI, my mom and dad were there, or at least my mom was. He didn’t find my dad.” She let out a breath.

  “What happened?”

  She was baring her soul to him, and James would take it.

  “I went to see her about a week after getting the details. I don’t know why I waited so long but I needed to compose myself. I went to her apartment. The stench was horrible. I don’t ever recall smelling anything like it. I don’t want to go into the gory details. Just know it wasn’t pretty. Not even a little bit.” She blew out a breath. “So I walked up to her apartment and knocked.”

  He saw tears in her eyes and he held her hand even tighter, hoping to give her whatever comfort he could offer her.

  “She didn’t recognize me, she was shocked. When I told her who I was, she burst out laughing. Told me I’d wasted my time and there was a reason she hadn’t come looking for me or wanted anything to do with me. I was a burden. They’d hoped I’d died and they had even tried to starve me so I would stop being a problem. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered so much evil in my life. My dad had died a couple of years before. An overdose.”

  “Don’t even think about her, Eliza. She is not worth it.”