Rising
it while dropping off her car. Question was, how the hell did she know Whit? Worse, Bobby Jack’s wife invited her out to his place.
    He kept checking for that little green sports car. Why her? Maybe there was something wrong with the genes on Elizabeth’s side of the family, too. Who was he kidding—his family was fucked up from every angle. He shouldn’t be attracted to a colored girl.
    “Riley?” Isaac tapped him on the arm. “We got fishes.”
    He followed the line and watched the bobbin sink before floating to the top. “Yeah, seems we do. You must be good luck.” He smiled down at the boy as he reeled the line in.
    “Hello?”
    Savannah’s voice reached him as he lifted the trout out the water. “Down here!” he yelled as he held the pole in one hand and tried to direct Isaac to get the net with the other.
    She appeared at the base of the dock, a tight skirt molded to her hips like a second skin and heels that made her legs look damn long. Her hair was pinned up in some style that left a pony tail hanging from the knot. The woman was hot and completely off limits.
    “You mind giving me and Isaac here a hand?”
    “Please?” the kid added.
    She rushed forward, her heels creating hollow thuds on the wooden pier. “How can I help?” Savannah leaned to the side and peered into the water. She paled. “I’m not touching fish.”
    Isaac laughed. “I will.”
    “You have,” Riley said as he exhaled. Suddenly he wasn’t teaching one person. “Isaac has the net, but he can’t reach far enough to get lift the trout out. If you don’t mind helping him…”
    “Oh, that I can do.” She stepped up behind the kid and curled her hands around his, helping him dip the mesh into the water. She straightened and twisted her body, following his nephew’s movements. A sweet flowery aroma drifted to Riley’s nose. His cock jerked.
    “I did it!” A big smile lit up the child’s face.
    “Great job, buddy! High five!” Riley held out his hand, and Isaac jumped up to touch palms.
    Savannah held the fish away from her body with both hands tightly wrapped around the net handle. It thrashed against its confines, splattering water across her skirt. Riley moved forward and pulled the trout free, deftly easing the hook from its mouth. He dropped it in the bucket with the other fish. “Looks like we got enough for a feast, big guy.” Riley reached out to take the net from her.
    Three long scratches marred her skin from knuckle to wrist. “What happened to your hand?” He intertwined his fingers with hers and yanked her forward to get a closer look.
    Isaac squeezed between them and went up on his toes. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.” Riley stared at the small face peering up at him. “Take the bucket up to your daddy.”
    “Yes, sir.” Isaac saluted him as he’d seen a few of the guys that had dropped by do earlier.
    “Don’t let your mama see you do that.” He chuckled, holding tight to Savannah’s soft, moist palm.
    Water sloshed as the little guy half-dragged the bucket over the planks.
    He refocused his attention on Savannah. “You were saying?”
    “It’s nothing. I ran into some rose bushes.” She pulled her hand away. “A better question would be what happened to your face?”
    “I had to clear up a misunderstanding.” He spoke quietly, brushing his thumb over the marks on her skin.
    Riley knew what he looked like. He had a black eye that had faded to a deep purple, and his bottom lip was split. His right arm was scratched and bruised where the chain had wrapped around it, and Setter had to tape his ribs because he was sure at least one was broken. At least it no longer hurt to breathe.
    “Did you?” She lifted her sunglasses. A thin arched brow rose up her forehead.
    “Let’s just say they look a lot worse than I do.” He shrugged.
    “Are you always so combative?” She blinked, and he realized how long her lashes were.
    “I don’t have many fucks to give, so when they run

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