Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Riley
This man, who’s holding me, stroking my hair, and planting sweet kisses all over my face, just told me he loves me.
I thought I had cried enough tears last night to last me a lifetime.
I didn’t know I had any more to give. But these are happy tears because there’s someone in this world who finally loves me.
We both pull back at the same time, while his eyes lock onto mine. “You scared the shit out of me; I’m not going to lie. What happened?”
Touching his face, I say, “You’re the first person in my life to tell me they love me.” He pulls back, looking shocked.
“Baby, that can’t be true. I’m sure your parents or friends have told you that before,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief.
“They might have told me they loved me a long time ago, but I don’t remember.”
“My timing sucks, but I’ll be right back. I desperately need to use the bathroom.” He quickly kisses me on the lips before heading out the door. I can’t help but laugh as it bubbles up inside me.
I think about what he just said, trying to remember if Ashley ever told me she loves me.
No, I don’t recall her ever saying anything like that.
I do remember when she used to try hugging me— we were twelve, and she wanted to hug me goodbye when I left.
Yeah, I didn’t want any part of that. It took her nearly a year before I finally put my arms around her to hug her back.
Her mom was the same way; they showed their affection by kissing and hugging.
They weren’t big on expressing themselves verbally.
Watching Hunter as he saunters back into the bedroom makes my heart race.
When he lies on the bed, he pulls me on top of him, gently stroking my back while pressing me into his chest. His heart pounds wildly against my hands, which are clenched tightly, gripping his shirt.
Looking up, I see his eyes meet mine, filled with a longing that matches my own. I could drown in those blue eyes.
Placing my hand on his face, I tell him about my meltdown.
“I had a nightmare last night that plunged me into darkness; it was after I remembered things I had buried years ago. Going downstairs today, I was hoping to find someone to talk to, but no one was home.” Hunter tries to speak, but I shake my head.
“If you hadn’t found me, I would’ve let the darkness take me. ” I choke back a sob trying to escape.
He suddenly sits up, gripping my thighs so I’m straddling him. His hand gently cups my chin. “Please don’t ever say that, Riley. Promise me if this ever happens again, I’m the first person you call. Promise me!” he shouts.
“I promise, but let me finish.” He leans his head against mine, our lips just inches apart.
“I want you to know that it was you who saved me today.” He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
When he opens them, they’re filled with fear.
“Yes, Hunter; it was you who found me, comforted me, brought me back from the darkness that was about to consume me. I never knew how to show my feelings or emotions; I couldn’t learn that from a textbook.
But I believe everything happens for a reason, and you are my reason for being here at this moment, in this place.
If everything I had to go through in my life was preparing me for this, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
I love you, Hunter Davis, with everything I am and ever will be. ”
As I lean in to kiss him, he flips me onto the mattress, covering my body with his.
He crashes his mouth over mine, my lips parting as his tongue slides over the roof of my mouth.
He leaves my mouth just long enough to explore my neck with his lips, teeth, and tongue.
My back arches up to meet him; he growls as my stomach rumbles. Damn!
He glances up at me, smiling. “Well, I thought I had some bad-ass skills, but you just slammed the door and locked it.” I feel the laughter rumbling inside his chest, and I start to giggle.
Before we know it, we can’t catch our breath; tears are pouring down our faces, and my sides hurt with an aching joy.
He pulls me up and says, “Go take a cool shower while I make us something to eat.” When I start to leave, he pulls me back.
“You can use my shower; I’m not letting you go anywhere yet.
There’s some lotion in the cabinet for sunburns.
Rub that all over instead of drying off. ” It’s clear he’s noticed my skin.
“I have no clean clothes to wear. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.” He takes me to his closet, opens it, and pulls out a Sinful Seven concert T-shirt and a pair of sweats.
“These should be good enough for now. If you want to look in my dresser for something else, go right ahead, but you’re not leaving,” he says as he lifts my chin and presses his lips to mine.
“I might just kidnap you until Sunday night.
How's that sound?” he winks at me as he saunters out of the room, and it sounds fantastic!
* * *
Hunter
I need a moment to collect myself before making us something to eat.
Sitting on the edge of the couch, I rest my arms on my knees.
So many emotions are swirling inside me, I feel like I might burst. First of all, I don’t want her to tell me she loves me just because I told her or because she thinks I’m the one who saved her today. That’s so messed up.
I should have called Dr. Adams to see if she could arrange an emergency appointment. She needs someone professional to help her sort this out. I have my own baggage that I’ve been dealing with for years, and I’m the last person she should come to for advice.
Walking into the kitchen, I grab my cell from the counter and dial her number. When her secretary answers, I ask to speak to Dr. Adams. After a few minutes, she picks up. “Hunter, is everything all right?”
“I’m not calling for myself, Doc. I want to see if you could squeeze in Riley for an appointment sometime today.” I give her a quick rundown on what happened.
“If you could bring her here at seven tonight, I’d be happy to see her.” She thanks me for calling because it was the right thing to do. Now I just need to convince Riley to go.
Heading into the kitchen, I grab the bacon, eggs, and all the fixings so I can start cooking. I’m going to make her one of my veggie omelets. I hope she doesn’t get too pissed when she finds out what I did, as long as her belly’s content.
“Something smells delicious in here. It looks like you know your way around the kitchen.” She walks over with an amused smile tugging at her lips. “I’m going to spill my guts and tell Rosie that you’re an imposter. You can cook.” She stands on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on the corner of my mouth.
Smiling down at her, I can’t help but think she looks so damn cute in my shirt and sweats. When I reach for the plates on the top shelf, my shirt rides up. Her hands instantly slide over my stomach as she traces tiny circles with her thumbs along my abs—instant hard-on.
“Riley, if you keep doing that, I won’t be eating an omelet for brunch.” I raise my eyebrows and lick my lips as she realizes what I mean. Her face instantly flushes, spreading from her neck to her round cheeks. Priceless.
I set an omelet, bacon, and coffee on the table in front of her. “You can’t leave the table until everything on your plate is gone.” After fixing my plate, I sit across from her.
“This is delicious! I just discovered another one of your many talents.” She looks up, wiggling her eyebrows at me. A slow grin spreads across her face.
I can’t help but feel aroused by that little grin.
I stand up so quickly that my chair crashes to the floor, and her eyes widen.
Lifting her chin with my fingers, I gently caress her bottom lip with my thumb.
“I have many hidden talents you haven’t seen yet, but before this weekend’s over, you'll be aware of a few more.” Leaning over, I briefly kiss her parted lips before picking up my chair to finish eating.
“After we eat, I’ll go with you to pick up your essentials for a few days. I have something special planned for us tomorrow night.”
“Friday night, we usually have a bonfire and get together. We’re not going?” She looks disappointed.
“I canceled the bonfire; it was supposed to be our night together.” Reaching over, I take her hand resting on the table.
“Well, call them back up and tell them it’s on—I like hanging out with your friends. I don’t want that to change, Hunter.” She looks upset.
“Consider it done. I’ll take you Saturday night instead. Are you done eating?” She nods as we both get up to put our plates in the sink.
She steps in front of me, smoothly gliding her hands up my arms. Interlocking her fingers, she pulls me nearer, her lips pressing eagerly to mine. “I love you, Hunter.” It escapes softly, like a breath, as her tongue tangles with mine.
“I love you too, baby, more than life itself,” I whisper into her mouth as my heart clenches inside my chest. I pray she feels the same after I take her to her appointment.