Ride Her Hard (The Hard Boys 1)

“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.