Silver Spoon (10 page)

Reaching down, she rubbed his head. "I…"

"Riley Bordeaux. As my only child, you have family obligations that must be seen to. I haven't asked much of you in the past and certainly haven't demanded you travel the state with me for other debates and rallies. I would think you can show up at this one, support me like a good daughter should, then return back to your underachieving life afterward."

She bristled at his offhanded insult, biting her lip to keep from starting a long and worn out argument with him about her life and writing. He would never understand and she steadfastly refused to be cowed by his censure, thus the impasse remained like a brick wall, solid and destined to survive many years to come. Nothing short of a bulldozer or natural disaster would tear that particular blockade down.

"Fine. I'll make an appearance, but that's all."

"I knew you would come around." He almost crowed with the small victory.

"But, I'm bringing my own date. Don't even think about trying to set me up, introduce me to some of your friends or party connections, or anything else involving a man. I have my own and don't want any of your choices."

He snorted. "You don't know what's good for you and have never had any sense in choosing a potential spouse. I've tried all along to find you a good husband, one who can give you nice things, provide for you. All you do is stick your nose in the air like a spoiled brat refusing to eat her breakfast."

"I mean it. If you push one man at me, I'm immediately walking out."

"Damn stubborn. If that's the deal I have to make, so be it. But, you better be there."

"I'll hold up my end of the bargain if you hold yours."

"Done. Be there early."

As she opened her mouth to retort, she heard the click of him hanging up. Her belly clenched while her heart raced, a fight or flight reaction that her father always brought out in her. Considering they always fought, it made perfect sense.

Taking a deep breath, she rubbed Achilles' big floppy ears. "He's such a pain in my posterior. Maybe I won't have to stay long this time. And, I don't have to duck and dodge men he's lined up for me to meet, marry, and start a family with." Hopefully Spoon would be free. If he was called away on another mission or still absent on his present one, her evening at the rally would turn downright awkward, frustrating, and unbearable.

Achilles sat down, his chin resting on her thigh. A few drops of slobber dripped onto her jean-clad leg, quickly soaking in. Already used to his abundant drool, she ignored it while picking up a nearby towel to wipe his mouth.

"I'm so glad Spoon found you and brought you here. The thought of you starving saddens me something awful." Clenching the now damp towel, she replaced it on her writing desk. "Besides, it's nice to have someone to talk to that understands." He licked her hand.

For the first time since the phone rang, a small grin appeared on her face. "I love you too, you big old lug." Giving him a final pat, she returned her attention to the computer. "Now, if only the hero would start talking."

Chapter 15

"How's the relationship with Riley going?" Oakley tossed out before shuttling a forkful of French toast into her mouth.

Loco craned his head to gaze at Spoon, shooting him a wicked grin. Spoon sighed and shook his head. Nosey parkers. The team, their girlfriends. Every last one of them.

"Pretty good." He answered nonchalantly, not really wanting to delve too deeply into the subject of his budding romance or the hurdles he still worked hard to clear.

They had been seeing one another not quite a month, yet Riley still captured his attention and focus, standing out among the crowd of potential partners. Time flew by, punctuated by two missions, each a week long, the last he just returned from in the wee hours of that morning.

Not since officially meeting her at her first book signing had he even been tempted to look at another woman. Sure, he noticed and appreciated beauty and grace as they crossed his path, but so far none of them called to him like Riley. She might not stack up to a runway model, but as an entire package, she outclassed them all. Besides, models were always overrated. Nothing but skin and bones when you got down to it. He preferred a bit more meat on his women. Healthy won over an appearance of starvation each and every time.

"He's smitten." Loco took a drink of milk before digging back into his meal.

Spoon rolled his eyes. "This coming from a love sick fool." When Loco asked him to join them for brunch, he should have declined politely and stayed in bed.

Oakley tittered. Loco joined her, a wide smile on his face. "Love sick, yes. Fool, never."

"Awww." She leaned in to kiss Loco on the chin. "Thanks."

A stab of envy shot through him at the easygoing demeanor between his best friend and Loco's fiancée. Although cliché, he could actually say they were made for one another. Sure, they had their issues, but who didn't?

Once again he considered Riley and realized how he longed for the companionship and bright aura of love similar to what existed between Oakley and Loco. Deep down, he knew she completed him, fit into his life like a key into a lock. If only he could remedy his prior fumble and coax her into making a place for him in her heart and life.

He made headway with the small niceties he bestowed on her now and again. While definitely adding up on his overall batting average, he could never quite hit a home run with her. Determined not to rush her, he bided his time, declining the urge to nudge her along at a faster pace, reminding himself often that just because he knew what he wanted with Riley didn't mean she saw the same path ahead for the both of them.

Drinking his juice, he contemplated opening the discussion further for input. While he didn't expect his best friend to come up with a great romantic feat, his fiancée sure might. Releasing a pent up breath, he waded into the water.

"I've been thinking about doing something special for Riley."

Both Loco and Riley turned their attention to him. "Such as?"

He shrugged. "I don't know for sure. Something to show her I really care. That I'm not just after her for shits and grins."

"Ahh. I think I see." Oakley patted her mouth with a paper towel. "You've fallen for her and want to show her how you really feel."

"She's still a bit hesitant around me. I need it to sink in that I'm serious about her and about us, that she's not just another notch on the bedpost."

"Is she already a notch on your bedpost?" Loco asked.

Spoon flicked his gaze to Loco and frowned. "No. She wants to keep a slow pace with our relationship before getting that far. I can respect that."

Oakley and Loco shared a grin, which immediately prickled him with annoyance. "What?"

"I think Riley's a lucky woman." Oakley sipped her juice. "And, you're right. We need to come up with the perfect romantic evening to show her how valuable she is to you."

"We?" Loco's eyebrow shot up.

Her brows furrowed at her fiancé. "Yes, Rambo. We."

Biting back a grin, Spoon waited patiently for Oakley to divulge some secret feminine knowledge to them.

She pinned him with a look. "You've read her books, right?"

He nodded sheepishly, then smacked Loco in the upper arm when he snickered.

Oakley waved her hand at them both. "I would think an author writes romance as they would like to be romanced themselves. That makes sense that they would use their daydreams in their stories, in some sense fulfilling their own fantasies while sharing them with others."

Thoughtfully, he tapped a finger on his chin. "I never considered that."

"Yep. Just pick out a feasible and particularly wonderful scene from one of her novels and re-enact it." She drained the rest of the juice from her glass. "I think she'll be moved by it."

He considered the books he'd recently read. One stood out above the rest. "I have an idea. Just have to go home to read over it again, then set things up." Excited about the prospect, he began collecting his dirty dishes.

"If you need any help, let me know," she offered, her lips curling up at the corners.

Loco shoved the last bite of breakfast into his mouth. "We did a good job."

She snorted. "Like you had any ideas."

"Oh, but I do. Lots and lots of ideas. They all revolve around you. Naked. In the bed." His low voice turned teasing and sensual.

"Hey. I'm still here. Can't you at least wait until I walk out the door to get busy?"

Tugging his shirt off, Loco grinned. "How soon can you be gone?"

Oakley stood, carrying her plate to stick in the dishwasher. Spoon followed suit, handing the dishes over when her hands were empty once more.

"Don't listen to that overzealous horny toad. The table has to be cleared, dishes put safely in the dishwasher, and trash in the bin before we can even consider anything else." She eyed the extra-large black and white spotted Great Dane stretched out on a bed mattress in the middle of the floor. "If we don't, he will knock everything off and make a horrible mess in his quest for treats."

Loco opened the refrigerator, replacing the milk and juice.

Spoon grinned. "I don't think Achilles has that problem. At least, Riley's not mentioned it."

"Achilles?" Loco shook his head. "What is wrong with you people naming your dogs after Greek gods?"

"What? You expected her to name him after you?" Spoon teased his best friend. "I can see it now. Here, Tanner. Don't pee on that tree, Tanner. Get off that poodle, Tanner. Don't eat your own poop, Tanner." Tanner was Loco's given name, though no one called him that.

Oakley burst out laughing while Loco grumbled under his breath. "Funny."

Spoon chuckled and checked his watch. "Thanks for breakfast." He gave Oakley a hug. "Don't let this big baboon push you around."

"As if."

Spoon gave Loco a quick hug, too. When Loco looked askance, he shrugged. "I didn't want you to feel left out."

With a short laugh, Loco gave him a shove. "Get out of here. I have a mighty fine woman to play with and you have a date to plan."

Saluting, Spoon made a hasty exit, his mind already turning to details of the impending date.

Chapter 16

Riley watched Achilles lope around the large enclosure at the dog park, stretching his long legs while sniffing the air as he explored the area. His smooth gait covered great chunks of ground even if he wasn't near the speed of the more streamlined and smaller breeds. Still, in her opinion, a bit thin, he continued to fill out nicely, no longer the gaunt, forgotten dog. Instead, he embraced the rags to riches story in true doggie fashion. Not that she was rich, but with Spoon footing the bills on the canine's toys and supplies, he lacked for nothing. She showered him with love and affection, realizing how much she'd missed having a pet in her life.

"Riley?"

Turning, she spied a young, athletic looking woman with waist length dark hair pulled into a long braid, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt. "Oakley?"

The other woman nodded with a grin. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Same here." Oakley had called her last night out of the blue. After introducing herself, she asked if they could meet and get to know one another a little better. Since Riley and Achilles had never been to the local dog park, Oakley declared it a perfect opportunity to let the dogs run as they chatted.

Shifting over, Riley made room along a shady section of fence so Oakley could join her. "Is that Hercules?" She pointed to a long legged Great Dane busily sniffing the rear of a husky mix.

Oakley chuckled. "That's him. Friendly as ever."

Riley smiled, already liking Loco's fiancée. "Achilles hasn't really interacted with the other dogs yet. I think he's a bit unsure what they are." Her eyes locked on the huge tan canine hanging out in the shady section, simply watching the action.

"Give him time. From what the guys told me, he didn't have the best life by the little they saw."

"Poor thing. I still can't understand how anyone can just toss a dog outside and ignore them."

"At least his story has a happy ending." Oakley turned her head to look at Riley. "Speaking of happy endings… how are you and Spoon getting along?"

Not surprised at the topic, Riley shrugged. "Good, I guess. We've been casually dating for a bit and it's gone well thus far."

"Just good, huh?"

Not sure where the conversation was headed, Riley blinked at the brunette. "You sound disappointed."

Oakley waved her hand. "Not at all. It's just that I thought you two clicked right off the bat. For some reason I figured that meant you and he were well on your way to a long term relationship if not a commitment."

Blinking again, she opened her mouth, then closed it. "I'm not sure what his intentions and wishes are. Heck, I'm not even sure how I feel." Puffing out a breath, she explained. "We did hit it off, were on the express lane, until a make out session smacked me in the face with the realization of how quickly we were progressing."

"Too much, too fast?"

"Definitely. Not that I didn't want to. It's just when I had a moment to think, I knew that it was going at blazing speed, one that I didn't feel comfortable with. When and if I sleep with a man, I want to make sure it's the right one and he's in the correct frame of mind for something more than a fling."

A slow grin appeared on Oakley's face before she turned her attention back to the dogs running amok in the fenced in area. "I felt the same way."

"You did?" Astonishment washed over Riley as what Oakley said sank in. She would never have expected someone of such beauty to withhold herself from the sexual side of life.

"Yep. For reasons I won't bore you with, I opted to wait for the right man to come along. Perfectly content if he didn't, I never thought about it much until Tanner came into my life. Then, not only did I think about it, I longed for it."

"I take it you took the fast track?"

"You could say that. But, I knew deep down first that he was the one for me. Nah, he's not perfect, but neither am I. Together though, we're happy."