CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Grayson — 19 years old (Six months later)
“Happy Birthday.” Riley giggles against my lips, her fingers brushing against my rough stubble. “You didn’t shave. I like this.”
She sits up, still straddling me. “I was trying to figure out what to get you for your birthday.” Riley pouts. “Except for that paperback and the new watch, I couldn’t think of anything else that you would like. You’re not picky and you’re rarely ever interested in anything.”
My thumbs draw circles on her bare thighs. “I don’t need anything else.”
Your smile is enough…
Riley is glowing, her cheeks are flushed and her eyes bright. Happiness looks good on her. I knew moving away and going to Harvard— away from her controlling parents, would do her and her mental health a lot of good. Riley hasn’t told me everything, she’s tight-lipped about her relationship with her parents, but I know she doesn’t get along with them.
I remember the lost and sorrowful girl on the bench, the one with yearning in her eyes. Riley is not her anymore. She’s content . She’s smiling…and not that fake pageant smile she gives everyone. No, she’s smiling for real. My girl doesn’t hide behind a cold mask anymore, or the pretty facade she shows the world.
Happiness and freedom taste like sweet wine on her lips now.
But goddamn it, I miss her.
Being away from Riley is cold and lonely — it’s pure fucking torture.
I wish I had nothing else holding me back to go to her, to stay with her. But she’s there and I’m here…and time is ticking.
“You’re my gift,” I rasp. And that’s enough.
Her pretty smile widens, and I am filled with the intense need to protect it. That smile. And her. God, I would do anything for this girl.
Riley leans forward, pressing her lips against the corner of my mouth. “I want you again,” she whispers huskily. “I miss you, Grayson. It’s been two very long months.”
I went to visit her in October, and Riley was supposed to come here during winter break and for Christmas. But she was busy with her essay and her new part-time job at the library.
While I was busy with more important matters. The timing just didn’t work for us.
So here we are now. On my birthday. January first. Celebrating New Year’s together.
I used to think I was special for being born on New Year’s. Maybe it meant something— maybe my birth has a unique meaning. A new beginning or something. As a child, you find every little reason to make yourself feel like you’re important to this world.
But I was only five years old when I realized that wasn’t true. There was nothing special about my birthday. I used to watch the fireworks through the window of our trailer, wishing I was cutting a cake like every other kid on their birthday.
I never did get a cake for my birthday until I was sixteen years old. I knew Uncle Ben and Aunt Naveah tried hard to make that day significant for me, a day to remember, but it was different. I wasn’t the lost five-year-old kid wishing for a cake anymore. I had long grown past that stage in my life. I lost my childhood waiting for something special…
Riley’s kisses bring me out of my cynical thoughts. She licks the corner of my lips, giggling when I groan in response. My hands move to cup her ass, roughly squeezing the perfect globes. “Again?” I question hoarsely.
“Again,” she breathes into our kiss.
I aim to please, always. Fuck, this girl might just be the death of me.
***
Riley pouts. “I hate leaving. I wish we had more time together.”
We spent two days in bed. Two blissful, perfect days, and I don’t want it to come to an end either. Our separation— every time I am forced to let go, kills a piece of me.
Riley looks up at me through misty lashes, her eyes glassy. “You promise you’ll come to see me by the end of the month? You promised me a weekend.”
I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Nothing will stop me from coming to you, Goldilocks.”
She sniffles and then a tiny smile ghosts her lips. “Okay, I believe you.”
My heart thuds at her words.
Her trust in me is astounding, a blessing indeed. Goldilocks has always believed in me. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such a delicate gift, but sometimes, it scares me.
Because breaking Riley’s heart is inevitable.
I have to…if I want to protect her.
I bring our entwined fingers to my mouth, kissing the back of her hand. I let my lips linger there far longer than needed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you back?”
“No, that’s fine. It’s four hours there and four hours back.” She shakes her head. “That’s too much.”
“I would still do it.” For you.
“I know.” Riley beams with tenderness in her eyes. “But I don’t want you to go through the trouble, and anyway, I’m a big girl. Independent too. I can drive myself back.”
“Okay, call me as soon as you get there.”
She nods, while grabbing her keys off the shelf. “Yup, promise. You’ll be blowing up my phone anyway if I don’t call you.” Riley smirks, mischief playing in her gaze.
“You bet I will. Need to make sure my girl makes it back home safely.”
She bites on her lip. “Have I ever told you how much I love hearing that on your lips? You calling me your girl. ”
My arm circles around her waist, tugging her to me. “Because you are. My girl. ”
“I have to leave now if I want to make it before nightfall,” she whispers. “Don’t tempt me again, Grayson. I’m already late.”
She’s late because we had one last fuck against the door, when she had been about to leave. “Go,” I mouth into her lips, kissing her softly. One last time.
Riley smiles, and then she’s gone.
The door clicks closed behind her, and suddenly, I am filled with cold emptiness. Raking my fingers through my hair, I let out a frustrated growl. How can I be lonely already when she was just in my arms two seconds ago? Her vanilla scent is still all over me. My skin still tingles from her touch. Fuck, I can still smell her on my fingers.
I stomp over to my fridge, taking out a bottle of cold water. I guzzle it down in three large gulps, tossing the empty bottle into the trash before making my way to the living room.
I hear a whistle.
My heart stammers.
I recognize that whistle.
My head snaps to my left, my gaze sweeping over my opened balcony. The glass doors had been closed. I remember closing them…
How are they open?
Adrenaline pumps through my cold veins, and my blood roars between my ears.
My father rounds the corner, appearing on the balcony like a fucking ghost. A shadow I should have noticed, should have seen …
But I didn’t because I had been too preoccupied with Riley.
He steps into my living room, still whistling. There’s a dark look in his eyes, and his smirk is disturbing. Sinister.
“I have to say,” he drawls, still smirking. “That was quite an interesting show. Your little girlfriend has such a sweet, adorable moan. She’s got a nice pair of tits though.”
My stomach revolts, feeling both sick and enraged.
He…was watching us? Fuck.
I stalk forward, fury pumping through my veins. “You broke into my house.” I growl menacingly. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
He raises his hands up in mock surrender. “I came to visit my son. Didn’t know you had a girl over. I was giving you two some privacy, while enjoying the show.”
“What are you doing here?” My fists clench at my side, trying to rein in my wrath. I can’t piss him off…I have to stay on his good side, even though all I want to do it is snap his fucking neck. But I can’t.
I can’t because I need to keep up the act.
Estranged father who reconciled with his son.
He told me his dark secrets and I played along. But Harrison Avery is still hiding a lot more than what he told me. And I need to find out what’s beyond the veil of his lies.
I am, after all, the bait. An implant.
I am the only person capable of ending my father’s cruelty.
But in trying to lure Harrison Avery out of his wretched den…
I put Riley in danger.
My stomach drops with the realization.
Goldilocks is my weakness, and my father knows that. He’s a cruel, unfeeling bastard. When the time comes, he will use her against me if he has to.
“I need you to deliver something for me,” he says calmly, as if we’re discussing the weather. He strides over to my couch and sits down, stretching his legs out in front of him. His body is pale, his skin almost translucent. He has lost more weight since the last time I saw him, three months ago. “You’re the only one I trust with this cargo.”
My eyes flare with surprise. Could it be? Is this what I’ve been waiting for? I’ve been working on gaining his trust, trying to find a way for him to include me in his filthy business.
I need to have eyes everywhere, but as long as I’m looking from the outside, I’ll never be able to find what I’m looking for. I need to be on the inside.
And I’m finally being given the chance.
Tick tock…
I thought I had more time with Riley.
Tick tock…
I can’t keep my promises.
Tick tock…
Loving her was my dedication. Breaking her is my ruination.
Tick tock…
I’ve run out of time.