Fiftysix - Seven Rue Page 0,29

them were surrounded by big trees, separating them and ensuring some privacy.

I liked where Riggs lived, but this was one of the few reasons for me to come here.

I could easily come by unannounced, surprising him with nothing but lingerie underneath a long coat, but after what he did, blocking me, he surely wouldn’t want that to happen.

My heart started to beat faster as I got out of the car with my parents to get to his large front door.

All the lights were on, and it was easy to see what was inside his home, but only if you stood right in front of it.

I knew he had a great view on the other side of the house, where there was a steep cliff right underneath it.

I only remembered the inside of his house because we’ve been here once before for some kind of party.

Not sure if it was one of his birthdays, but I was still little, and even back then I didn’t really cross his path much.

Riggs was always in the background, but Dad talked a lot about him and often spent time with him, but other than that, Riggs wasn’t really a big part in my life.

Until now.

I left my phone in the car because I hated carrying it around all the time, and since we’d have dinner anyway, there was no need for me to use it tonight.

I also never brought a clutch or purse with me, not really liking either.

“Behave,” Dad murmured as Della pushed the doorbell, and I looked at him with a frown, questioning his request.

“I always behave,” I replied as the door swung open.

“Andrew, good to see you again,” Riggs said in his typical low voice, though it didn’t have that growly undertone it always had when he talked to me.

Guess that way of talking was reserved for me.

“Thanks for inviting us. I got you something,” Dad said, pointing at the champagne bottle Della was holding.

“Thanks, that’s my favorite,” Riggs replied with a nod. “Good to see you again too, Della. You look beautiful,” he told her, kissing her cheeks the way he did that first night we encountered him after more than a year.

“Please, come inside. I have prepared a few appetizers. Dinner’s in the oven and will be ready soon,” he explained, and when my parents went inside, he looked at me and his gaze immediately darkened.

I felt like grinning at him out of spite, but the thought of him blocking me made me stop from doing just that.

“Valley,” he muttered, probably hoping for me to just say hello and pass him to follow my parents into the living room.

“Hello, Riggs,” I replied, stepping closer and wrapping my arms around his neck to hug him while pressing my petite body against him.

He immediately tensed, and when he realized I wouldn’t let go unless he hugged me back, he put one arm around my back, not hesitating to place his hand on my ass.

“You’re careless,” he spat, tightening his grip and making me press my hips against his crotch tighter.

My parents were out of sight, and since he was unexpectedly daring, I thought I would play along.

“You liked them,” I pointed out, referring to the pictures.

I moved one hand to the back of his head, feeling his wavy, black and gray hair between my fingers as I turned my head to press my lips against his neck.

“I blocked you for a damn reason,” he growled, giving my ass one last, almost hurtful squeeze before pushing me away from him with both his hands on my shoulders.

“I told you not to fucking play with me, Valley. Wasn’t that warning enough?”

I puckered my lips to keep from smiling, brushing my hands along my skirt to straighten it again.

“Didn’t seem like a warning to me.”

“Get inside,” he barked through gritted teeth, not wanting to hear more of me.

I bit back a laugh and let out a heavy sigh, and when I passed him, I let my hand brush his thigh and got a nasty look back from him.

Gosh…someone’s grumpy tonight.

I heard him follow me into the living room, but I had to stop in the archway as I saw the man who supposedly was Riggs’s brother.

My parents were talking to him, introducing each other and already laughing about something.

Could it really be…?

No way.

He said he lived in Canada. That’s nowhere near Nevada.

I stood there with my eyes glued on Riggs’s brother, and as awkward as this could turn into, I was more amused by