Chapter 12
Lucas went about making breakfast with much weighing on his mind. One of the things on his mind was how to approach Riley about being intimate. He knew it was too soon to expect her to just fall into an intimate relationship with him but he needed to know where she drew the line.
"Good morning." Riley's voice called out as she entered the kitchen.
"Good morning." Lucas beamed back.
"Did you need help with breakfast?"
"No, you sit, I'll feed you. You're in my house now."
"Ok," Riley said taking a seat. "Are you going out on the ranch today?"
"Yeah, there are some fences at the other end of the ranch I have to repair. I wish I didn't have to."
"Lucas, I'm here until tomorrow. We have time. Remember primarily we have to stick to our responsibilities."
"I know, you're always the person to bring out the best in me."
"I wouldn't mind going with you, though? You know, I've been living in Texas for twelve years and do not know how ranchers really conduct work."
"Are you sure? Going to be hot out."
"Yes," Riley replied with a smile. Lucas handed the plate of food he put together for her.
The weather was surprisingly better than most that day. It was normally blazing hot before anyone woke. When Riley and Lucas reached the end of the property with the broken fence, it was apparent to Lucas that someone had purposely broken the fence. Lucas knew exactly who it was. His neighbors, the Cranes had become great enemies of the Friars following his break up with Mable. The Cranes often tried to sabotage his livestock by breaking the fences and letting them off the ranch or by dropping lethal animals onto his property. Lucas was angry and wanted to drive over to give Dudley Crane a piece of his mind but had to take Riley into consideration. As Lucas had the conflict with himself on whether he should confront the Cranes or not he smiled. Once again, Riley was the reason he didn't behave recklessly. It was as if his heart was a wild stallion and Riley was the only rider who could tame it. Despite his calm, Lucas was concerned. If Riley was going to be a part of his life again he had to end this ridiculous feud with the Cranes. If the feud became great enough it could cause someone to become hurt and worst of all Riley. Lucas wishes he didn't go soft and give parts of the Crane ranch back to Mable when they were married. His thoughts were quickly interrupted when he saw Riley roll up her sleeve and begin to remove debris from the broken area of the fence. Riley Matthews, city girl was out here helping him repair a fence on his ranch, something he never thought he'd see. It made him feel more in awe of Riley.
"Need some help?" Lucas asked walking over to Riley who continued to clear the debris.
Riley told Maya not to worry about her, and leave anything in the past behind, but Maya being Maya couldn't help but worry. There was no way Maya was going to let anyone hurt Riley again. Maya tapped away trying to find as much information about Mable as she could.
"Mable Crane, youngest daughter of Dudley and Barbara Crane. Mable married her childhood sweetheart Lucas Friar solidifying the two families as the biggest ranching family in the south Texas region. The two gave birth to their only son Aaron Friar not long after being married but sadly would eventually go on to end their marriage. Mable is now engaged to someone she has yet to reveal." Maya's face filled with worry after reading Mable's bio aloud to herself. "Child? Divorce? Eck, what a mess and Riley is right in the middle of it!"
"Honey, we talked about this, you need to let Riley be Riley."
"I know but Lucas's ex-wife seems like one REAL piece of work."
"She's his ex-wife and the past, maybe we should focus on what is present. Lucas can't change anything about his past babe."
"I don't understand, how can you be so calm and cool about Lucas? That's your niece!"
"Because I trust Riley. Once Riley decides to do something regardless of the risk it is hard to change her mind. The best we can do is be there for her. Besides, I've already checked out Lucas's background after he left. Everything checks out fine and his marriage to Mable was rumored to be more of a convenience thing than actual love."
"So, you were worried?"
"Just a little. I'm not heartless, Riley's my niece."
"So what are we going to do?"
"We are doing nothing, my love, we are going to wait and see what happens."
"I don't want to glue her heart back together again Josh."
"I don't want to see you have to glue her heart back together again either Maya but we also can't stop her from moving forward with life. What if she would be happy with Lucas and we sabotage that? The chance of her being happy is the same as her being hurt."
"It isn't, she's been hurt before by him, so I believe the scale is a little tipped."
"Maya, Riley will get through anything that comes her way. You know how I know?"
"Yeah, yes, because she has me."
Charlie picked the file that was left on his desk up. It has been months since he was assigned to find a reason to arrest the infamous Mr. Solomon. Now he has word that Mr. Solomon is in Texas making very excessive and dangerous business deals. He was highly concerned for his good friend and former girlfriend, Riley Matthews. Charlie didn't particularly like that the people involved with Mr. Solomon was close to Lucas Friar. Does Lucas Friar have anything to do with this illegal underground? I need to make sure Riley is safe. If Lucas Friar is involved then Riley is in danger to. Charlie has never had to use his undercover job in his real life but it seems this time it is unavoidable. Charlie would have to go on an underground assignment that involves getting close to Riley Matthews. His heart was elated that he would be once again competing with Lucas Friar for the heart of Riley Matthews but it did not come without internal conflicts. He would be lying to Riley regardless of his real feelings for her, Riley is highly unlikely to forgive him for using her for his career gains. Most of all, how is Charlie supposed to penetrate that hardened diamond in Riley's heart that only encases Lucas Friar?
"Gardner, I hope you're ready for this assignment. Plan on a long one. Mr. Solomon will not be easy to get to. The fact that we have no idea what his real identity is, is even more pressing."
"Don't worry Cook, have I ever let you down?"
"Every knight has their worthy opponent Gardner and Solomon might be yours."
"If you look at it the opposite way, every super villain has a superhero that can defeat them and in this case that superhero might be me."
"Solomon is a high priority case, you will need to be in deep. Do you have a way to get into Texas without drawing suspicions?"
"Yeah, my ex-girlfriend lives there."
"That pretty doll, Riley?"
"Yeah, Riley Matthews."
"Well, if you are successful, I'll pay for your wedding," Cook said leaving Charlie's office.
The sun was beginning to set and Riley couldn't get enough of it. They finished repairing the fence not too long ago and was back at the house. Riley sat outside on the porch swing watching the sunset. It was certainly very beautiful.
"I wish I had this view every day. The sunset in Dallas is beautiful but nothing like seeing it from an open country." Riley said taking a sip of her tea.
"That is possible Riley if you stay with me permanently." Lucas joked.
"Oh Lucas, you're moving quite fast there aren't ya?"
"Riley?"
"Yes, Dr. Friar?"
"Please don't call me that."
"Why?"
"Because it is incredibly sexy when you call me Dr. Friar and there is nothing I can do to tame the fire it stirs when you call me that."
"Oh stop," Riley replied as she blushed. She turned away to avoid Lucas's gaze and took another sip of her tea.
"Riley?"
"Yes, Lucas?"
"What are we?"
"What do you mean? I thought we've discussed this and decided we just are."
"Boyfriend/Girlfriend? Friends? Ac-"
"Why does there have to be a label?"
"Because I need to know what boundaries there are between us."
"Boundaries?"
"Yes, I need to know if I could do this, without you hating me," Lucas said crushing Riley's lips against his. Riley never able to completely deny her hero kissed back. Lucas wrapped his arms around Riley's waist as he strengthened his kiss.
"Why would I hate you for that?" Riley whispered hoarsely through the kiss.
"Because it leads to this," Lucas replied trailing his kisses from her lips and down her neck. Riley could feel her heart beating faster than it was humanly possible. She has never felt so safe and secure in the arms of a man. Riley bit down on her bottom lips as Lucas continued to suckle and nestle himself against her neck. Part of Riley felt guilty for enjoying his touch so much but it felt so right. His hands continued to knead and grab at her waist before he swiftly picked her up. Before she knew it, Riley was pinned against the wall. Lucas continued his passionate onslaught of kisses and suckling on her neck. His hands held her against the wall as he demanded access to her neck. Electricity pulsed through Riley's body as she quietly moaned his name.
"Oh, Lucas,"
Lucas slowed his kisses as he nuzzled his neck against her neck. He was ready to take Riley and make love to her but Riley may not be ready. It took every fiber in his body to control himself from taking right at once on the porch.
"Now, about the boundaries?" Lucas whispered against her neck.
"Lucas, there is something I need to tell you," Riley said with a raspy voice. Lucas's lust filled face filled with worry as he pulled himself away to look Riley in the eyes.
Lucas handed Riley a cup of coffee as he took a seat beside her at the dining room table. He loved talking to Riley but there was nothing else on his mind at that point except taking Riley up to his bedroom and spend the night making love to her.
"Lucas, would you hate me if I ever lied to you?" Riley asked nervously.
"Lie to me? What could you possibly have lied about that would make me hate you?"
"Remember when I told you, I've been with two guys since you left, well-"
"Riley, please don't do that. I don't care what is in your past. Also, it is not going to keep me sane if I know about the guys who touched you. I don't know if you know this but I'm kind of a jealous monster?"
"Maya told me I should never tell you this but I-"
"Even Maya thinks you shouldn't tell me. I don't need to know what lucky bastards got to -"
"Lucas, I'm a virgin." Riley blurted. The air became dense as Lucas and Riley sat there silent for a moment. Lucas couldn't believe his ears.
"You..you what? How is that possible? You were with Charlie and that other guy whoever he was."
"I was but I was never intimate with them and it is one of the reasons the relationship didn't last. I was never able to allow anyone to kiss, hold, or touch-"
"Ok Riley, I get the point." Lucas interrupted slightly jealous at the thought of Riley making out with another man. "So, you're telling me, you've never? Not even a little, not even o-"
"No! Never! Nothing!" Riley blurted.
"You know what this means right Riley?"
"NO! Don't you dare say it!"
"You're a 29-year-old virgin." Lucas laughed.
"Keep laughing and I'll make it to 30." Riley grinned.
"Oh, that is not funny Riley."
"I wasn't joking. Hey, I made it to 29, there is no rush, right? 30 is only a few months away."
"Wait, Riley, why didn't Maya want you to tell me the truth?"
"She said something about you going crazy and losing your mind over thinking Charlie took my virginity." Riley laughed.
"Ugh, as much as I hate the thought of it and hate to admit it, Charlie was a good guy. I liked him at one point. Until I realized he was a contender."
"I only see Charlie as a good friend."
"How long did you date Charlie?"
"A year and a half."
"A year and a half?!"
"Yes, but it wasn't my longest relationship."
"That's right because I'm your longest relationship."
"Yeah, I guess three or so years is pretty long."
"Riley, we've been together longer than that."
"No, cause if we count the twelve missing years, we, my dear, were chronic cheaters."
"Ok, ok, you said you dated another guy after Charlie, how long did you date him and who was he?"
"Oh, it wasn't that serious," Riley said adjusting herself in her seat. "I don't remember much about him."
"Riley, you're lying."
"No."
"Riley, you're not a very good liar and you never "don't remember much" about anyone."
"Lucas, I don't want to talk about him ok?" Riley said getting up to leave.
"Riley," Lucas called out before grabbing her by the arm.
"Lucas, when I'm ready, one day I'll tell you about him, but right now there is nothing to tell."
