Chapter 21 The Last Last Time
the last last time
HAYDEN
I wake up at noon, my head pounding, and drag myself to the shower. The cold water brings a little relief, and when I finally make it to the kitchen, I feel a bit more like me.
I have a quick breakfast, chug a cup of coffee, and pop some aspirin.
Riley isn’t home, and her absence makes my loneliness more prickly, more tangible. She’s only been here a week, and already, I’ve gotten attached to having breakfast with her. What will I do once she leaves? The thought of her being gone makes my gut churn.
I’m climbing into the car, heading to the grocery store, when Ines calls.
“Hey. What’s up?”
The sound of her sniffling is like a slap upside my head.
I tense, my grip on the phone tightening. “Ines? What’s wrong?”
“Is it true?”
Frowning, I turn the key in the ignition. “What are you talking about?”
“Is it true you’re going to release a new album? Songs using…Ow-Owen’s voice?” She sniffles again. “I saw the article.”
My stomach plummets. The project wasn’t supposed to be public knowledge.
I rub a hand down my face. “We met with the label yesterday. We discussed it, but that’s all for now,” I tell her. “I figured I’d mention it the next time I visited. I’m so sorry you found out like that. It was never my intention.”
“I-I know. I just didn’t expect it, and it sent me spiraling.” She takes a deep breath. “God, you probably think I’m an idiot.”
“Never.” My chest aches for this woman. “And don’t ever call yourself that. Grief is complex. You never know when and how it will hit.”
“Thank you so much, Hade. I have no idea what I’d do without you.”
I force my shoulders to relax and rest my head against the seat. “How is Santi? I have a surprise for him.”
“He’s fine. Every day, he gets better at driving me batty.” She chuckles. “He’s always thrilled to see you, you know, with and without surprises. He loves when his tío plays with him.”
Before long, Santi is begging for her attention, so we end the call. With a deep breath, I pull up the web browser on my phone and type “Sabotage new album” into the search bar. When the results pop up, I click on the first one and read. Every line is like a knife to my heart.
Left too soon…
The talent we’ll never get back…
Insiders claim the album will contain two songs written by Owen…
The article includes several pictures of the band and one of Owen and me on stage in Paris. We stand back to back, playing guitars, huge smiles on our faces. The longer I stare at the screen, the heavier my heart becomes.
Barely aware of what I’m doing, I climb out and rush back inside. The elevator climbs fast but not fast enough. Everything hurts. Images of Owen taunt me, memories washing over me like an avalanche.
I stagger out of the elevator, tears blurring my vision.
I tear off my T-shirt and throw it on the floor.
In the kitchen, I sink to the tile, back pressed to the cupboard, and stare at the island cabinets in front of me.
Fuck, I would’ve loved to turn my thoughts off, even for only a few minutes.
Instead, they blare loudly, taking over all my senses.
When the elevator dings, I’m still on the kitchen floor.
I don’t know how long I’ve been here, though my heartbeat has mostly returned to normal, thanks to a breathing exercise I used to collect myself.
I’m in desperate need of a better distraction, something to push away the dark, oppressive thoughts swirling inside my head.
“Hade?” Riley calls.
“In the kitchen.” The words come out raspy and quiet, so I clear my throat and try again. “I’m in the kitchen.”
Her steps grow louder, and then she’s there, standing above me with concern etched onto her face. “What’s wrong?”
I’m too busy drinking her in to reply right away. Her hair is in a messy bun on top of her head. She’s wearing a white off-the-shoulder crop top and blue jeans. She’s beautiful. She always is.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” She crouches in front of me, her hands on my knees for balance.
“Someone leaked the news about the new album. Ines found out through a gossip blog instead of hearing it from me like I’d planned.
She freaked out, called me in tears. After I calmed her down, I looked up the article myself.
” I drop my head and lace my fingers behind my neck.
“Then, I lost it. It’s a good thing I was in the parking garage when I did. ”
She squeezes my knee. “Feeling any better now?”
“A bit.” I lick my dry lips. “But I need a distraction. I’m fucking desperate for it. I’m falling apart, Ry…” I shake my head. “Could we go somewhere? Anywhere?”
She assesses me, her blue eyes depthless. Then, her lips are on mine. Slow, careful. Tentative. But once I kiss her back—it’s fireworks. My desire for her transforms into an all-consuming hunger.
I pull her closer, her skin scorching under my touch. “I don’t think I can stop,” I whisper. “Not when you’re around…”
“Then don’t stop,” she breathes, fingers sneaking to my waistband.
Then, we’re both naked, our clothes scattered across the floor, the condom from my wallet in her hand.
When she rolls it down my length, I worry I’ll lose it and come too soon. Once it’s in place, I rub circles around her clit. With her lips on mine, she climbs on top of me, hovering over my cock. I keep caressing her clit, preparing her for me.
“I’m gonna come if you don’t stop now,” she breathes. “And I don’t want to come until you’re inside me.”
Music to my fucking ears.
I grip my shaft, holding steady as she lowers herself, taking me inch by inch. When I’m balls deep, her hands on my shoulders, her tight heat engulfing me, I close my eyes. It’s heaven.
“I’m so full…” She moans. “And your ladder with this angle… I don’t think I’ll last long…”
She rides me slowly, rolling her hips, her lips parted, whimpers springing from her mouth.
“Just like that, Ry baby. Ride me senseless… Take what you need…”
I palm her tits, caressing them gently at first then squeezing.
Her breathing quickens each time I tug on her nipple.
When I twist and pull harder, her eyes flutter shut, and she moans.
A violent shudder courses through her body, and she comes, clenching around me so hard, my vision blurs.
It takes everything in me not to come while she rides out her orgasm.
Then, she slumps against me. “Oh my fucking God…”
“I love discovering new things about your body.” I press my lips to her neck, licking and sucking her skin. “You have very sensitive tits.”
Forehead on mine, she breathes heavy. “I guess that’s another win for you. Nipple play has never sent me over the edge like that during sex. Only when I touch myself…”
“And how often do you touch yourself?”
“Depends on my mood. Sometimes every day. Sometimes, I can go weeks without it.”
“Pretty sure I’d do just about anything for a chance to see you pleasure yourself.” I tuck loose strands of hair behind her ears.
“Maybe one day, you will.”
“I look forward to it, Ry baby.”
I bring my lips to hers. The kiss is slow, sensual, and the heat in my lower abdomen increases with each twist of her tongue around mine.
I rear back, my eyes searching hers. “Ready to continue?”
She nods.
“Then stand,” I order her.
She obeys, taking a step back to give me room to stand too. Once I’m on my feet, I pull her to me and ravage her mouth again. Then, I spin her around and bend her over the island.
“Ass up.” I smack her ass cheek lightly.
She spreads her legs wide and tilts her hips to give me better access.
Fuck. Her eagerness sends a thrill through me. With my hand on her shoulder, I pin her down before I drive into her in one, hard thrust.
“So fucking good…” I exhale. “So fucking perfect.”
I find my rhythm, relishing the way her warm channel swallows me. She moans and whimpers, my name rolling off her lips over and over.
I slip my hand around her hip and find her clit. Instantly, her walls tighten around me, my release building at breakneck speed. My movements become more frantic, my breathing shallow as I lose myself in her and in this moment.
“You’re taking me so well…”
“More,” she begs.
I gladly give her what she wants. I pick up my pace and pinch her clit.
When her pussy clenches around me again, it triggers my own orgasm.
She comes screaming my name, and a wave of heat rushes over me as I come in violent spurts.
I spill myself inside the condom while she rides out her second orgasm.
Once I’ve cleaned us up, I gather Riley in my arms. She wraps her legs around me, hands on my shoulders, and I carry her to my room.
“What are we going to do now?” she asks.
“Shower.” I head straight for the ensuite. “And then more sex. More orgasms until I tire you out and you fall asleep in my bed.”
Her lips tip up sweetly. “Sounds like a solid plan.”
“Anything for you, Ry baby.” I place her on her feet and turn on the faucet.
She quirks a brow. “So will this be our last time?”
With a snort, I pull her against me. “Of course. The last last time.”
Under the shower spray, our lips meet, and the world around us disappears. The only sounds now are her moans and the slapping of skin.
This last time is turning into another night neither of us will forget.