The Virgin Cowboy (Cowboys & Virgins Book 4) Read online

Page 7


  The dining room has a wooden table that could probably seat fifteen people at it, but the kitchen steals the show. I find myself standing in it, not even realizing I’d moved. The countertops are all granite. The island has a sink of its own. One wall has four ovens built into it. The stainless steel appliances practically sparkle. I think I’d marry Cash just for this kitchen alone.

  “Brand new,” Earl says, breaking through my kitchen high.

  I turn to look at him still standing in the living room as he watches me.

  “How many hands are here?”

  “Total is eighteen people if you count yourself, ma’am.”

  I could definitely handle eighteen people in a kitchen like this. I glance over at the clock. It’s already one in the afternoon.

  “Dinner time?” I ask as I start to pull open drawers, looking to see where everything is.

  “Six,” I hear him say from behind me as I find an apron and pull it on, tying it behind my neck and making sure not to catch any of the blonde spirals that have come loose from my ponytail.

  “Well, I better hop to then if I want to have dinner done by then. I’m guessing that my adoring soon-to-be husband has no plans to marry me today since he couldn’t even be bothered to pick me up.” I turn, putting my hands on my hips.

  Earl just smiles. Again.

  “No, I don’t think he has plans to marry today.”

  I give a curt nod before getting back to the task at hand. Not even married and I’m already mad at the man. But I think this is how our marriage will be. I’ll see him at meals and when he comes to bed. A bed I’m sure I’m supposed to be in. That was never outright said, but that is what married people do.

  I’d made plans for that as well, making sure I’d gotten myself on the pill before I’d come out here. I might have landed myself in this situation, but I wouldn’t bring a child into it with me. This was about surviving, and Cash had never said anything about children.

  I go to the pantry and look to see what I have that could feed almost twenty people. After looking over the shelves in here and in the kitchen, I decide on burgers with baked fries and a pasta salad. I’ll need to go to the store soon, but I have enough for tonight and breakfast tomorrow. But I need to start with the pies to get them into the oven.

  When I come out of the pantry, I scream. Caught off guard by a young man who looks to be about my age or maybe in his early twenties. I’m still a few days shy of my twentieth.

  He holds his hands up at my shriek.

  “Sorry, ma’am. I was just coming in for the first-aid kit.” He wiggles the kit he has in his hand. “Barbed wire got his calf.”

  “Sorry, you just scared me. I didn’t expect anyone.”

  He gives me a crooked smile. “So the boss went through with it. Got himself a wife.”

  “That’s me,” I confirm, though we aren’t married yet. I go over to the sink and pull out a dish towel I saw in the drawer, wetting it with warm water.

  “You might need this.” I hand him the towel.

  “You’re mighty small.” His eyes run over me like I’m hiding size somewhere. I am small. I’m barely five foot two, and I used to have a little more meat on my bones, but when money runs tight so does food.

  “I think I can handle my chores while still being small.” I reply, not sure where he’s going with this.

  “Oh, I’m sure you can. I just meant…” He looks back at the front door like he suddenly wants to leave and not finish what he was saying.

  “Well?” I push, wanting to know.

  “I should really go.” He backs up out of the kitchen, first-aid kit in one hand and towel in the other, before he darts out the front door. And I stand there, wondering what he meant.

  Lassoing the Virgin Mail Order Bride… Available NOW!

  Everything For Her

  by Alexa Riley

  USA TODAY bestselling author Alexa Riley's first full-length novel shows just what happens when a strong, possessive man finds the woman of his dreams.

  I'll never forget the way she looked, so confident and sure of herself. I watched her from a distance. She wasn't ready for me yet. I didn't approach her and I didn't disturb her, but I never once took my eyes off her.

  Mallory Sullivan is ready to start her new life. After graduating at the top of her class, she's landed one of the most coveted internships in the United States. Hard work and determination have gotten her to this moment of living the life she only dreamed of while growing up in foster care.

  From the start, I knew that she would be my greatest achievement, so the day I let her go, I set down a path for her. A path to me.

  She never expected Oz to be the greatest culmination of those dreams. But sometimes fate determines who you fall in love with. Who makes you lose control. Who owns your soul.

  And then you realize it wasn't fate at all…

  I've wanted to care for and protect her since the first moment I saw her. I've constructed everything in our lives so that at the perfect moment, I could have her, could give her the life she deserves.

  The time has come.

  Preface

  Miles

  I’ve watched her since the beginning.

  It’s funny, but I don’t really remember much before her. It’s as if I could split my life into two halves. Before her and after. I remember my life with my parents, and I remember getting into college, but it’s all gray before her. Until the day I saw her, there was no color. But once my eyes landed on her for the first time, it was like when Dorothy landed in Oz and she opened the door. The world went technicolor, and she was my very own Glinda the Good Witch.

  I was twenty-two years old the first time I saw her. She was seventeen and competing in a state-level high school math competition.

  Yale University asked me to represent them as a student judge, and I nearly declined. The state of Connecticut is small but houses one of the greatest Ivy League colleges in the country. One that makes becoming a standout almost impossible. I was among the top one percent in my class as a senior at Yale, and my major being statistics.

  The only reason I’d accepted the invitation was to play a part. Many expected me to follow in the footsteps of my father, and I wanted them to believe that, but my end goal was a little different than anyone knew. I was on the path of revenge, but playing a part would help me on that path. Rubbing shoulders with the same men my father did, even if it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

  Agreeing to judge the competition was life-changing. The bitter taste in my mouth altered that day. A sweetness took over. I wanted it. Needed it.

  I’ll never forget the way she looked, so confident and sure of herself. I watched her from a distance, like you would a lioness in the wild. I didn’t approach her and I didn’t disturb her, but I never once took my eyes off of her.

  I found out later she was being sponsored by her high school so that she could attend the competition. She had no family and was being raised in a group foster home, so her school funded the trip. She was smart, and they wanted to see her succeed, which she did.

  I saw so much in her as she competed. She knew all the answers and was absolutely sure each time. She trusted her instincts, and they didn’t let her down. There was so much potential in her just waiting to be unleashed. I wanted to sit down and talk to her and have her tell me everything, anything, as long as she talked to me.

  She swept the competition and won first place in her division. I was strangely proud of her.

  When she walked out of the hotel ballroom after the competition was over, I let her go. It was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. But I knew that if I went after her too soon, or too fast, she would run. Not only was she too young for me, but something about her told me she was the kind of woman who came along once in ten thousand lifetimes.

  This wasn’t to be rushed. It was to be savored.

  I may hate my father, but I’ve learned from his mistakes. I’m going to use those mistakes for my own. He’s smart but sl
oppy at the same time and it’s been showing. But I know if you want something, you work hard for it, plan out all the details to make it yours.

  From the beginning, I knew that she would be my greatest achievement, so the day I let her go, I set down a path for her.

  A path to me.

  No one knows it’s been me behind the curtain, pulling the strings. I’ve constructed everything in our lives so that at the perfect moment, I could have her.

  The time has come.

  **STILL IN EDITS**

  Everything For Her… coming December 27th 2016

  PreOrder NOW!

  US http://amzn.to/2aLhpZV

  CA http://amzn.to/2aJVKhu

  Full Length Novels

  Everything For Her… December 27th 2016

  His Alone… March 28th 2017

  Single Titles

  The Virgin Duet

  Owning the Beast

  My New Step Dad

  Their Stepsister

  Snow and Mistletoe

  Ps. You’re Mine

  Trailer Park Virgin

  Guarding His Obsession

  Growling For Mine

  Curvy

  Untouched

  Holding His Forever

  Tempting the Law

  Halloween Treats… October 2016

  Cowboys and Virgins

  Lassoing The Virgin Mail-Order Bride

  Branding the Virgin

  Roping the Virgin

  The Wanted Virgin

  The Virgin Cowboy

  Alexa Riley Promises

  Mr and Mrs

  Blackmailing the Virgin

  The Billionaire and His Castaway

  The Breeding Series

  Coach

  Mechanic

  Thief

  The Ghost Riders MC Series

  Pulling Her Trigger

  Beauty and the Biker

  Letting Her Lead

  Pulling His Trigger

  Riding Him

  The Fairytale Shifter Series

  Riding Red

  Beauty Sleeps

  The Lost Slipper

  Finding Snow

  Taking the Fall Series

  Taking the Fall Bundle

  Fall Into Place

  Mistress Auction Series

  Buy Me

  Buy Me 2

  Buy Me 3

  Buy Me Bundle

  Innocent Series

  Owning Her Innocence

  Innocent Getaway

  Innocent Christmas

  Innocent Series Bundle

  Forced Submission Series

  Taking What’s MINE

  Taking What’s OURS

  Taking What’s HERS

  Forced Submission Bundle Books 1-3

  Taking What’s HIS

  Taking What’s WICKED

  Taking What’s NAUGHTY

  Forced Submission Bundle Books 4-6

  Amazon Page

  Alexa Riley

  For all the HOT news and DIRTY details…

  sign up for the mailing list!

  Newsletter

  @_AlexaRiley

  AuthorAlexaRiley

  www.AlexaRiley.com

 

 

 


    Stolen to Remember: Stolen Series Book 1 Read onlineStolen to Remember: Stolen Series Book 1Stolen to Love Read onlineStolen to LoveLovely Baker Read onlineLovely BakerStalking in a Winter Wonderland Read onlineStalking in a Winter WonderlandMuse Read onlineMuseVirgin Husband Read onlineVirgin HusbandWealthy and Wanted Read onlineWealthy and WantedStolen to Remember Read onlineStolen to RememberLocked Up Love Read onlineLocked Up LoveToo Many Read onlineToo ManyVirgin Wife Read onlineVirgin WifeStolen to Keep Read onlineStolen to KeepThe Winter Collection Read onlineThe Winter CollectionRing in the New Year Read onlineRing in the New YearLovely Neighbor Read onlineLovely NeighborSecret Baby at Camp Read onlineSecret Baby at CampFinding His Unicorn Read onlineFinding His UnicornHis Christmas Cookie Read onlineHis Christmas CookieNot Yet Read onlineNot YetHungry for More Read onlineHungry for MoreThe Loyal Groom Read onlineThe Loyal GroomStuffed Read onlineStuffedRescued by the Ranger: Camp Hardwood Series Read onlineRescued by the Ranger: Camp Hardwood SeriesGeneral Joe: Magnolia Ridge Series Read onlineGeneral Joe: Magnolia Ridge SeriesHis Pumpkin Pie Read onlineHis Pumpkin PieCozy Read onlineCozyDouble The Ache Read onlineDouble The AcheFilled Read onlineFilledHallowen Bites Read onlineHallowen BitesVirgin In The City Read onlineVirgin In The CityPretty Girl Read onlinePretty GirlSanta’s Secret Baby Read onlineSanta’s Secret BabyOwning the Beast Read onlineOwning the BeastHis Touch Read onlineHis TouchLetting Her Lead (Ghost Riders MC Book 3) Read onlineLetting Her Lead (Ghost Riders MC Book 3)Wedding Cake Crasher Read onlineWedding Cake CrasherTheir Stepsister Read onlineTheir StepsisterForbidden Princess (Princess Series Book 4) Read onlineForbidden Princess (Princess Series Book 4)Summertime Sneakout Read onlineSummertime SneakoutThe King's Innocent Bride Read onlineThe King's Innocent BrideStolen Princess (Princess Series Book 2) Read onlineStolen Princess (Princess Series Book 2)Guarding His Obsession Read onlineGuarding His ObsessionThe Billionaire & His Castaway (An Alexa Riley Promises Book 3) Read onlineThe Billionaire & His Castaway (An Alexa Riley Promises Book 3)Riley & Kane Bundle Read onlineRiley & Kane BundleMarried in the Mountains: Camp Hardwood Series Read onlineMarried in the Mountains: Camp Hardwood SeriesClaimed: A For Her Novel Read onlineClaimed: A For Her NovelMobster Read onlineMobsterHold Tight: A For Him Novella (For You) Read onlineHold Tight: A For Him Novella (For You)For You Complete Collection: Stay CloseHold TightDon't Go Read onlineFor You Complete Collection: Stay CloseHold TightDon't GoRestored Read onlineRestoredWanting My Stepsister Read onlineWanting My StepsisterThe Wanted Virgin (Cowboys & Virgins Book 3) Read onlineThe Wanted Virgin (Cowboys & Virgins Book 3)Home for Christmas Read onlineHome for ChristmasHalloween Treats Read onlineHalloween TreatsThe Princesses (Princess Series Book 5) Read onlineThe Princesses (Princess Series Book 5)Taking What’s Envied Read onlineTaking What’s EnviedTill Death Do Us Trope Read onlineTill Death Do Us TropeStealing Christmas Read onlineStealing ChristmasHer Rebel Read onlineHer RebelBlackmailing the Virgin (An Alexa Riley Promises Book 2) Read onlineBlackmailing the Virgin (An Alexa Riley Promises Book 2)Lassoing the Virgin Mail-Order Bride Read onlineLassoing the Virgin Mail-Order BrideFlight Risk Read onlineFlight RiskWrapped In My Wife Read onlineWrapped In My WifeShielding Lily Read onlineShielding LilyGrayslake: More than Mated: Growling For Mine (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read onlineGrayslake: More than Mated: Growling For Mine (Kindle Worlds Novella)Thief Read onlineThiefLaw Of Love (Mechanics Book 2) Read onlineLaw Of Love (Mechanics Book 2)The Virgin Duet Read onlineThe Virgin DuetHis Alone Read onlineHis AloneInnocence’s Series Bundle (Innocence #1-3) Read onlineInnocence’s Series Bundle (Innocence #1-3)FALLING IN Read onlineFALLING INRebels : The Complete Series Read onlineRebels : The Complete SeriesThe Runaway Mail-Order Bride Read onlineThe Runaway Mail-Order BrideTaking the Fall: The Full Complete Series Read onlineTaking the Fall: The Full Complete SeriesTaking What's Mine Read onlineTaking What's MineThe Virgin Cowboy (Cowboys & Virgins Book 4) Read onlineThe Virgin Cowboy (Cowboys & Virgins Book 4)My New Step-Dad Read onlineMy New Step-DadKingpin Read onlineKingpinProtecting Freedom Read onlineProtecting FreedomSheltered Read onlineShelteredBack River Quiver Read onlineBack River QuiverTaking What's Owed Read onlineTaking What's OwedFairytale Shifters Read onlineFairytale ShiftersBranding the Virgin Read onlineBranding the VirginCharmed Read onlineCharmedOwning Her Innocence Read onlineOwning Her InnocencePS... You’re Mine Read onlinePS... You’re MineOne More Trope Read onlineOne More TropeBeauty in Winter Read onlineBeauty in WinterPulling His Trigger (Ghost Riders MC Book 4) Read onlinePulling His Trigger (Ghost Riders MC Book 4)Curvy Read onlineCurvySummer Camp Captive Read onlineSummer Camp CaptiveLaw Of Love Read onlineLaw Of LoveBest of 2017 Read onlineBest of 2017Taking Her Turn Read onlineTaking Her TurnDon't Go Read onlineDon't GoClaimed Princess (Princess Series Book 3) Read onlineClaimed Princess (Princess Series Book 3)Everything for Her Read onlineEverything for HerTaken by the Russian Read onlineTaken by the RussianGiving Her My Baby Read onlineGiving Her My BabyRiding Him (Ghost Riders MC Book 5) Read onlineRiding Him (Ghost Riders MC Book 5)BUY ME - The Complete Series (Mistress Auctions Book 4) Read onlineBUY ME - The Complete Series (Mistress Auctions Book 4)Claimed: A For Her Novel: A Full-Length For Her Novel Read onlineClaimed: A For Her Novel: A Full-Length For Her NovelDevotion Read onlineDevotionPAID FOR Read onlinePAID FORTaking the Fall: Vol 3 Read onlineTaking the Fall: Vol 3Untouched Read onlineUntouchedHolding His Forever Read onlineHolding His ForeverStay Close Read onlineStay ClosePaying Daddy’s Debt Read onlinePaying Daddy’s DebtGrowling For More Read onlineGrowling For MoreThankful For Her Read onlineThankful For HerBUY ME *Don & Peaches* (Mistress Auctions Book 3) Read onlineBUY ME *Don & Peaches* (Mistress Auctions Book 3)Mr and Mrs Read onlineMr and MrsBitten by the Beast Read onlineBitten by the BeastPulling Her Trigger Read onlinePulling Her TriggerFinding Snow (Fairytale Shifter Book 4) Read onlineFinding Snow (Fairytale Shifter Book 4)His Princess Read onlineHis Princess