Chapter Fourteen
Duncan
The next morning, I woke up early as usual and did a full workout before I had my first coffee. Last night was still on repeat in my mind. I'd been so fucking close to giving in to Riley.
But she'd been too far gone, and that wasn't how I wanted to do things anyway. It was futile to even think I could resist this attraction to her. Which meant there was only one thing to do: give in to it. Or at least admit it.
Well, I'd already admitted it when I mauled her in the club, so I was way past that.
The logical part of my brain was still fighting it. She’s younger. She's my son's nanny. I don’t date . And yet none of that mattered. None of it. I simply wanted Riley.
I texted her that afternoon.
Duncan: Are you up? Do you have a headache?
Riley: I'm up. Just a slight headache and a lot of embarrassment.
I immediately called her.
"No reason to be embarrassed," I said instead of hello.
"I could think of a few."
"Everything can be forgotten, as you said."
Fuck! I didn't want that. But she'd been the one who'd explicitly asked for it. If she wanted to forget everything, that’s what we would do.
"Well, I technically said we should forget it on Monday. Today is Saturday."
"We can still forget if you want to."
"I don't!"
Hell yes. I felt damn victorious.
"If I weren't drunk, what would have happened last night?"
I considered the question carefully while I looked at the coffee machine, even though I wasn't really seeing it.
"Nothing," I concluded.
"Oh."
"I don't want to rush things, Riley. This is already happening at a maddening speed. I never want us to do something you would regret."
"So, where does that leave us?"
"What are you doing today?" I asked.
"Don't have plans, honestly. Although, I might go to a movie in the afternoon."
"I'll take you to the movie."
I wanted to spend time with her. I couldn't deny that to myself anymore. Just the two of us, where we could talk and Jeremy wouldn't be around.
"What do you want to see?"
"Well, there’s a new science fiction movie coming out,” she said.
"Let’s go see it."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, Riley. I told you I’d be in touch today."
"I know, but I wasn't sure if you meant it or… You know what? Never mind. I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth. Let me just check when it's showing. There’s a theater a few streets away from here that’s usually not at all crowded.” She paused for a few moments, probably checking the show times. “How about six o'clock?"
"That works. I’ll take you to dinner after that."
She squealed, and I grinned at the sound. I liked that she had no problems expressing her excitement.
"I'll pick you up from home," I suggested.
"We could just meet there. I need to stretch my legs."
"Your call."
"Yeah, let's meet there."
After we ended the call, I took a shower, dressing in jeans and a polo shirt before heading out.
I hadn't been this excited about anything in a while.
Adrenaline rushed through my veins at the thought of spending the evening with Riley.
It felt right despite the fact that I still had my reservations.
All those reasons I had for keeping myself in check still existed, but I was starting to brush some of them away.
Sure, there were a few years between us, but Riley was more mature than her peers. She'd taken a lot of responsibility on her shoulders at a young age. I think that changed her. And she wasn't going to be Jeremy's nanny for too long, so that argument wasn't going to hold up.
Jesus, Duncan, you're just looking for excuses, that's all .
I arrived at the address she gave me with about fifteen minutes to spare.
She wasn't here yet, so I went inside and bought two tickets.
I hadn't been to a movie that wasn't something for kids in a while, so I was actually looking forward to this.
After buying the tickets, I headed over to the counter selling popcorn and nachos.
"You're early," Riley exclaimed.
I turned around and nearly swallowed my tongue. She had a short yellow dress on, and it looked fucking amazing on her.
"What snack do you want?" I asked her.
She turned to the counter. "Nachos with cheese and salsa and some popcorn too," she rushed out in one breath.
"Your favorites?" I assumed.
I walked next to her and was about to put a hand on her lower back, then changed my mind. If I did that, I was going to maul her again, and that wouldn't do.
She nodded. "They are."
"I'll have the same," I said.
Five minutes later, we both entered the theater with enough food for five people. The room was only half full. We had excellent seats with a gap between our row and the next one in front of us. Plenty of legroom.
Riley was captivated the entire movie. Every time I looked at her, she was staring at the screen as if her life depended on hearing every word. She was adorable.
Once the movie ended, we threw away the empty food cartons. I had no idea how we'd managed to finish all of it.
Riley sighed. "What did you think?"
"I really liked it."
"I love science fiction movies. They sort of transport me to other worlds."
"Do you like to read science fiction books too?"
"Funnily enough, no. Usually, I read either fantasy or mystery. Sometimes romance, too, but not science fiction. That's something I enjoy most on a big screen."
"I want to take you out to dinner," I told her.
She pouted. If she continued to do that, I was going to capture that mouth.
"I'm too full."
I laughed. "Yeah, me too," I admitted, then stepped closer and touched my fingers to her cheek. "But I want to spend the rest of the evening with you."
"So do I." Her eyes sparkled as they looked into mine.
"Want to take a walk on the beach?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"We could watch the sunset too."
"I’d love that. It’s fifteen minutes from here."
"Nah, let's take the car. Otherwise, we’ll have to come back for it. We’ll walk enough once we’re there."
It only took us a few minutes by car to reach the beach.
It was one of the reasons I loved living in San Diego.
I didn’t visit the beach very often, but I liked having that option.
I'd never been to one in this area, though.
I was surprised that it was almost deserted—just an older couple walking next to the water, holding hands. There were no surfers either.
"I love this salty smell," she said as we walked on the sand.
"So do I."
"Oh look, tacos," she exclaimed, pointing to a food truck at the edge of the beach. "I thought I was too full, but I can always make room for tacos."
I chuckled. "Your wish is my command."
She blushed slightly. Fuck yes, I loved that. "Come on, let's get you some tacos."
There was no line at the food truck, so we walked right up to the window to order.
"I want some with carnitas and chicken," she said.
"Just pork for me."
"Right away," the vendor said.
Riley rubbed her stomach. "I'm going to have a food belly, but I don't even care."
"You're damn gorgeous no matter what, Riley," I said.
She whipped her head to me, eyes slightly wide. "Something's changed," she whispered. “You speak more… openly. Did you lower your filter because I totally ran my mouth last night?"
I grinned. "That, too, and I lost the battle."
She blinked. "What battle?"
"With myself and all the reasons I had in my mind to stay away from you."
"Tacos are ready," the vendor said, interrupting us. The guy had atrocious timing.
After I paid, we took the food and moved a few feet away to a high bar table. We immediately devoured them.
"You're right. It's always a good time for tacos," I agreed.
Riley was eating with the same passion she'd eaten the nachos earlier. She nodded, grinning.
I could watch this woman do anything. Eat, watch a movie, or just read a book. I was captivated.
After we finished, I threw the cartons in the nearby bin and then grabbed her hand, moving her farther away from the stand so we could be alone.
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
"Away so that guy can't hear us or interrupt us."
"Oh, that's right. You were saying that you've lost the battle. So, what were those reasons?"
"Riley, look… Since Jeremy's mom and I and broke up, I didn't want to bring anyone into my son's life. Shona?—"
"Your ex-wife?"
I shook my head. "We were never married. We were in a relationship, and we both wanted to make it work for Jeremy's sake. But then when it became clear that it wasn't going to be possible, we simply went on different paths."
Her eyes filled with compassion. "It's so nice that you did it amicably."
"It was what was best for him, and there’s no bad blood between us. Though we do have some differences of opinions. For example, she has no problem dating, whereas I never wanted to confuse my son."
"Oh. I understand." She sounded slightly disappointed.
I swallowed hard. "But with you, it's different."
"How?" she whispered.
"Because this isn't just attraction, Riley." I took in a deep breath. "It's bigger, it's more powerful, and ignoring it is not the right thing.”
"I completely agree. So, what else was on that list? It sounded like it was a number of things."
I frowned. "Does it really not bother you that I'm older than you?"
She rolled her eyes. "I thought it might, in the beginning. But it’s not so important.”
“Nine years is a lot.”
“Yes, but it doesn't feel that way. Honestly, I don't care about it at all. I've never been like my friends. Not even in high school or college."
"But there are many differences that come with that age gap. You’ll be starting your career soon."
"And I can't wait for that. But I don't think any of that means that we should…" Her words faded.
"Keep ourselves in check?" I finished for her in a teasing voice. "Behave?"
"Yeah, that. I think we've moved too far past behaving anyway."
I tilted closer to her and covered her mouth, exploring her slowly.
Then I put my hands on her back, deepening our connection.
I kissed her until she whimpered. I'd been craving another taste of her, had dreamed about it last night and woke up this morning with a fucking hard-on.
I'd imagined how exquisite it would be to feel her mouth again. The reality was even better than that.
Soon, the kiss wasn't lazy anymore. It was fast and desperate.
I groaned, straightening. "I can't stop."
"Then don't."
"I fucking should, Riley. Because—" I kissed her forehead, feeling her shudder under my touch. "—I want us to watch the sunset."
She pulled back, looking at me. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. I want us to just enjoy this. Take our time."
She smiled. "I like this side of you so, so much."
I waggled my eyebrows. "You haven't seen anything yet. Let's sit on the sand and just watch it."
Since the beach was practically ours for the taking, we found a place that was farther away from the taco truck. I sat down behind her, keeping my arms wrapped around hers.
"This is so nice," she whispered. "I love sunsets on the beach."
"Me too," I said as we kept our eyes on the horizon. "Jesus, I haven't done this in I don't even know how long. It's a privilege to watch it with you."
"And you know how to say cool things," she whispered.
As we watched the sun disappear completely, something buzzed.
"Oh, that's my phone," she said. She reached into the small black bag she’d set next to her on the sand and took it out. "It's my sister. I never reject a call from her," she added apologetically.
"Don't do it on my behalf," I said. "I also don't ignore a call from the family.” I liked that we had that in common.
She answered the phone immediately. "Hey, sister!"
Her face instantly transformed, and I knew something was wrong before she said one word.