Circle B Ranch: Volume One

Prologue

PROLOGUE

RILEY

My entire body feels as if I’ve been plowed down by a heavy a*s tractor. Even trying to roll over makes me ache, and when I blink my eyes open, I realize I’m in my hotel room at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The wide-open curtains allow the unforgiving sun to shine through the windows, blaring in my face.

“Fuuuuuck,” I mutter as my head throbs, and I curse myself for how much I drank last night. Diesel, my best friend since grade school, turned twenty-one two days ago, and a weekend trip to Vegas was my gift to him. I’m fourteen months older and felt it was my duty to get him s**t-faced in Sin City. Getting away was the only way to properly celebrate his birthday, considering we bust our asses working on the ranch six days a week. If he’s feeling the same way I am, then mission accomplished.

Chuckling to myself, then groaning at how badly it hurts to laugh, I attempt to slide out of bed, but my arm is stuck under a body. Blinking, I realize a woman is lying against me.

With dirty blond hair and sun-kissed skin, she looks like a goddess sprawled out under the sheets that rest at her bare waist. Looking down, I see we’re both n***d, and flashes of last night flood my mind.

Zoey. Thinking for a moment, I’m almost positive that’s her name. At least I hope.

I first saw her with a group of girls at a club when I dared Diesel to participate in an amateur stripper night. Miraculously, we ran into each other again, but now, she’s here with me. My head pounds, but I try to ignore the pain as I recall all the details.

Oh God.

Glancing around, I check to make sure Diesel’s not on the other bed nor on the floor. We’re alone, thankfully. As carefully as I can, I pull my arm from underneath Zoey, but before I successfully slide from under the sheets, she rolls over and wraps an arm around me and snuggles in closer.

Holy f*****g hell.

Her t**s are on full display as she hikes a leg over my waist, brushing over my d**k. Which is now hard, thanks to her.

“Good morning,” she says in the sexiest sleepy voice I’ve ever heard. Without opening her eyes, she smiles and rubs her head against my chest, causing my heart to rapidly beat.

“Uh, mornin’,” I reply, swallowing hard. Within a second, Zoey’s eyes pop open, and her grin falls as she takes in the room and then me.

“Oh my God!” She looks down at our n***d bodies and groans. “Oh shit.” She gives me a small smile and shakes her head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Chuckling, I rest a hand behind my head, and she removes herself from me. “It’s okay. I didn’t have the best first reaction, either. Zoey, right?” I feel like an a*s for having to ask, but my memory is foggy as f**k. I know I drank a s**t ton last night, but I’ll never forget the way she squeezed her tight p***y around my d**k.

She looks up at me, then grabs the sheet and pulls it to her neck, covering that sexy body I could stare at all morning. “Yeah,” she confirms. “R-something?” She winces, then blushes, looking flustered as hell, which I find adorable. “I feel like a two-dollar w***e. I’m so sorry. My damn head feels like someone pounded a hundred nails into it.”

“Riley,” I supply. “Don’t be sorry, darlin’. Though, I would’ve happily paid more than a couple of bucks.” I flash her a wink when she glances at me and chuckles at the reality of our situation. Sitting up, she wraps the sheet around her, and I can’t help but admire how gorgeous she is. I might’ve woken up fuzzy, but the moment we fell into bed together will forever be burned into my memory.

And the…wait. I hold up my left hand and stare at the gold band around my ring finger. Memories flash through my head like photographs, nearly leaving me speechless.

“Uh, Zoey,” I say slowly, repositioning myself.

“I’m just gonna find my clothes and do the walk of shame outta here. I’m sure you want your hotel room back,” she says as if I was about to kick her out.

“Did we, uh…did we…?” I stutter as I remember the white chapel and Diesel’s revenge dare.

“We both woke up n***d in bed, so I’m quite sure we did…”

“That’s not what I’m asking.” I blow out a sharp breath and brush a hand through my hair. “Do you have a ring on your finger?”

Zoey immediately holds out her left hand and gasps. A simple but elegant gold band. She turns toward me and looks at my hand. “Oh God, I remember now.”

“Was it really legal?”

“We signed a license and said vows, so yeah, I’m pretty sure we’re legally married now.” She sucks in her lower lip, then chews on it.

Before I can respond, the hotel door swings open, and Diesel walks in looking way too f*****g chipper.

“Hey, lovebirds!” The door slams behind him, and Zoey and I both wince at the noise. “How are the newlyweds feelin’ this morning?”

“Fucker,” I grumble. “Did you seriously dare me to get married last night?” I grab the comforter off the bed and wrap it around my waist so I’m somewhat decent.

Diesel’s booming laughter is all the confirmation I need. I’m gonna murder him in his sleep.

“Your mama’s gonna kill you,” he says, still chuckling. “And your grandma.”

“Try both at the same time.” I huff.

“Sorry to break up the honeymoon, but we gotta go. Pack your s**t,” Diesel says, rushing around the room and shoving his things into his suitcase.

“Now?” I gape, turning and looking at Zoey, who’s grabbing her little panties off the floor. She seems embarrassed as hell, but I wish she wasn’t. So adventurous and spontaneous, she brought out the best in me, and we had a blast together.

“Flight’s in an hour, and we still gotta get there and through security. We’ll be lucky to make it on time at this point,” Diesel says, glancing at this phone. The time constraint is ruining my ability to talk to her about this, about us. I don’t want to go, but f**k, I have to.

As Zoey picks up her b*a, I round the bed and tilt her chin up so I can look into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I wish I could stay. But they’re expecting us at work tomorrow, and it’s a long drive from the airport to the ranch. Can we exchange numbers, at least?”

“Yeah, of course.” She smiles. “We’ll need to figure out what we’re going to do.” Her face drops, and I hate that I have to leave in such a damn rush.

“Or you could come with me?” I ask, feeling hopeful. “Try to get to know each other better.” The words spill out before I can stop myself, but I don’t regret them. She’s unlike any other woman I’ve ever met.

“I-I can’t. My sister’s getting married next weekend, and my life is in Phoenix.” She shrugs, holding the sheet against her body.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll text you my address in case you change your mind.” I smile, knowing the chances of that are slim. I walk to the nightstand and grab my phone. After she gives me her number, I text her so she can reach out as soon as she’s home.

“Riley, we really have to go,” Diesel urges.

“I’m going to get dressed so I can head out too.” Zoey walks around me with her arms full and goes to the bathroom. Once the door clicks shut, I quickly slip on my boxers and dig in my suitcase for clean clothes.

“So, was it awkward waking up and realizing you guys eloped?” Diesel asks with a s**t-eating grin on his face.

I glower, narrowing my eyes at him as I zip up my jeans. “You’re an asshole.”

Before he can respond, Zoey walks out in the same outfit she wore last night. I catch her staring at my bare chest, then she shifts her eyes away as she walks toward the bed, grabbing her phone and clutch. I hate that I’m being forced to dart out of here, and we don’t have more than a couple of minutes together.

“Listen, Zoey…” I go to her as I slip my shirt on.

“It’s okay, Riley. We don’t have to do this.”

Diesel opens the door with his bag in hand. “Riley, c’mon. We still gotta get a cab…”

“I’m sorry. Call me soon so we can figure this out, okay?” I lean in, cup her face, then kiss her cheek. “For what it’s worth, I had a really fun night, wife.” I flash her a wink, which causes her to blush. She shakes her head at me and smirks.

“Safe flight, hubby,” she mocks. I stare at her, remembering the taste of her lips, the way she moaned my name, and how perfectly her body fit against mine. Our connection was instant, and while I didn’t understand it, I couldn’t fight it either. From the moment our eyes locked, I knew she was special. Turns out, the universe had bigger plans, bigger than either of us could have imagined. Or maybe Diesel’s to blame.

“Riley! You have two seconds, or I’m leaving your a*s in Vegas, and you can explain why you aren’t at work in the morning to your family,” Diesel walks out frustrated as hell, and I know damn well he would really leave me.

“Goodbye,” Zoey says as I move away from her and grab my suitcase.

I give her an apologetic smile, then spin around to catch the door before it closes, leaving her behind and feeling like complete s**t about it.