Page 44 of Hope and Country

“Red is our thing,” I said before I could stop the words that spewed out.

Why couldn’t I stop myself from flirting with him tonight?

At this pace, I’d have to retreat to my room before dinner was even served.

Riley’s irises shone.

I wet my lips with my tongue, and his gaze followed the movement.

The air meant for my brain got caught in my lungs.

The alcohol we drank didn’t help to keep my attraction toward my host under wraps. In fact, it multiplied my nerve endings, each of them receptive to him.

I missed affection. Yes, that could explain my hormones heating up my bloodstream. Or the warm swirl in my lower belly.

Riley swallowed and said, “I’m glad you’re here.” And once again, I almost melted under the intensity of his heavy stare.

* * *

After dinner, we went to the living room, and Riley put a movie on.

For some reason, watching TV had become our thing. Or a way to avoid eye-fucking each other every chance we got.

“Do you think I could borrow your laptop tomorrow? I have job orders to deal with and probably dozens of work emails to reply to. I would hate losing clients amid everything else.”

“I have a second one I don’t use in my home office. We’ll set it up tomorrow.” Riley found my eyes. “And if there are more things you need, please tell me. Anything, okay? We could get you a phone. When you’re ready.”

“No. You’ve done enough already. But thank you for the laptop. It means a lot. I’m grateful for everything you’re doing for me.”

“It’s nothing,” Riley said.

“No. It’s everything. I told you once you’re a good man, Riley Burns. And I am saying it now. I’m thankful to you every second of my life.” My voice cracked. Memories of the last beating flashed before my eyes. When Robbie left me for dead, for a few minutes, I wished I had been. And I hated myself right now for having those thoughts. I hadn’t noticed the river down my face until Riley scooted closer and pulled me to his heart.

He brushed my hair away from my face.

“Hey, it’s okay. He can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let him. You gotta trust me.”

Heart-wrenching sobs, my sobs, loaded the air.

I sank myself deeper into his embrace, relishing the safety of his arms. And the way I just fit against his body and how his molded around mine.

Riley rocked me to peace.

The entire time, I fisted his T-shirt, my anchor in the cyclone ravaging me.

Before I could understand what I was doing, I rose to my knees and kissed him, the saltiness of my tears mixing with the wine we drank earlier.

I was a quivering mess. And I craved his touch. Down to my core.

Riley’s thumb smoothed the length of my bottom lip before fusing his mouth to mine again.

Serenity washed through me. Then desire.

Riley kissed me long, his lips soft and gentle and oh so hungry for mine.

“I’ve been dreaming of doing this for over a year,” he revealed.

I dipped my head, and a loud moan escaped my lips.