Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Riley
His erection pressed against me until I fell asleep, and I blame myself because when the towel dropped to the floor, desire took over, and I reached out for him.
I had every intention of getting down and dirty with Hunter last night, but when I wrapped my hands around him, he was huge. My hands could barely reach my fingertips. Is it possible for a man and a woman to be unable to have sex because he’s too big? Oh dear God, I hope not!
His bronzed skin contrasts sharply with his sun-bleached hair, creating a striking look.
His body is toned and lean, with not an ounce of fat, topped by a rock-hard six-pack that any woman would love to run her hands over.
His eyes remind me of a clear blue sky, but they darken when he’s aroused. I learned that all too well last night.
Now, I’m all alone in his queen-sized bed, and it smells just like him, making me want to stay here forever. I wonder what time he woke up this morning, since I never heard him get out of bed.
Last night, I slept better than ever without any nightmares. Maybe it’s because Hunter gives me a sense of peace. If I keep acting strange like I did yesterday, he’s going to send me away tonight instead of Monday morning.
I need to apologize for what happened last night, but I have to brush my teeth and take a shower first. As I stick my head out of the bedroom, I look around and see he’s nowhere to be found. He told me he had the day off from work, but he probably changed his mind after yesterday’s disaster.
The bathroom’s still foggy from my shower as I open the door. When I step out, I see Hunter sitting at the island with a coffee in his hand. He looks up at me with a big smile, flashing his pearly whites. My heart races in my chest.
“Hey, beautiful, did you sleep well last night?” He taps the chair next to him.
He doesn’t need to ask me twice. “I slept well. I’m sorry if I snored too much or hogged the entire bed.”
I hear him chuckle. “No, you don’t snore, and I could fit five of you in my bed, so I had plenty of room. Besides, I wanted you close to me last night; you felt wonderful snuggled in my arms.”
“Hunter, I want to apologize for…" He raises his hand to quiet me.
“Baby, I’ve told you a thousand times, you don’t need to apologize for anything. I’m the one who said I’d be happy just holding you all night long. I don’t expect anything else from you until you’re ready.”
“I thought maybe you changed your mind and went to work.” I don’t say anything more about last night.
“I realized when I went to make coffee, I didn’t have any.
So I snuck downstairs to get some from Rosie.
She even gave me some of her homemade blueberry muffins.
I left them on the counter if you want one.
” He winks at me while taking another sip of coffee.
“I called the gang to tell them that the bonfire is still on if they’d like to come. ”
When I walk up to him, he turns to the side so I’m standing between his legs.
“Thank you, I don’t want you to change anything for me.
This is something that you guys have been doing forever.
” I kiss him on the corner of his mouth, and he hooks his thumbs in my belt loops and pulls me in, his lips crashing over mine.
Then his cell phone starts playing, “See You Again” by Carrie Underwood.
I didn’t know he listened to country music. Who would’ve thought?
* * *
Hunter
“Aren’t you going to answer your phone?” Riley asks while her lips are still pressed to mine.
“No, it will go to voicemail. I’ll call them back later.
” I pull away from her long enough to catch my breath.
“Eat your breakfast so I can take you driving again. I want you to have your license, so I won’t have to drag your ass around all the time.
” I see the smirk forming on those luscious lips.
I throw my head back laughing. She’s too damn cute.
I was glad when my cell phone rang—I needed the distraction.
The way my body reacts to her is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
It’s like she’s an outlet and I’m the plug: when we connect, the electricity running through me is intense.
I can only imagine how it will feel when I finally get the chance to… plug in…
I checked my phone after we got back from her driving lesson.
It was Alex. He can’t come tonight because he already made plans earlier in the week.
I told him no worries; I’ll see him at work on Monday.
Riley went back to her house to get her cell phone because she wanted to talk to Ashley.
I told her to meet me by the pool when she was ready.
I needed to do my laps because I hadn’t worked out for two days.
I was just finishing when she strolled up, sat on the edge, and dangled her feet in the water. It took every bit of self-control I had not to pull her into my arms and kiss that pretty little mouth. If I keep thinking with the wrong head, I’ll have to take another cold shower like I did last night.
She looks down at me. “I could never get tired of watching you swim; you’re like poetry in motion.” I try not to chuckle at her choice of words.
I step out of the pool to sit beside her. “Did you get a chance to talk to Ashley?” I ask, easing the sexual tension.
“Yeah, I did. It was nice to get a chance to talk to her. It makes me a little sad, though.” Her cheeks puff out as she exhales a pent-up breath.
“Why would that make you sad, baby?” I stroke her hand with my thumb, trying to encourage her to keep going.
“Our lives are so different now; it feels like we’re worlds apart.” She looks upset after talking to her. I don’t like that.
“Why don’t you ask your dad if she can come for a visit? Maybe she can stay for a week or so before school starts.” She jumps up so quickly that I nearly fall back into the pool. “That’s a great idea; I’m going to ask Dad now. I’ll be right back.”
I decide now is the perfect time to get everything ready for tonight. I’m just about set up when Connor comes strolling down the beach. “You’re a little early. What’s up?” I meet him halfway.
“I had something I wanted to talk to you about before everyone else gets here.” I can’t read his expression, so I have no idea what it’s about.
“I wanted you to be the first to know, I’m not going to be a dad.” He looks sad, then it hits me.
“Oh man, I’m sorry. Did she have a miscarriage?” I would have thought he’d be happy to be off the hook.
“No, apparently, she was never pregnant to start with, but she was trying. She wanted me to have sex with her all the time without a condom. I don’t know who else she’s been screwing, so I told her no.
Yesterday I found some tampons hidden in my closet, so I confronted her about it.
I threw all her stuff out on the front lawn. She’s on her way home.”
“It’s good you were smart because she came back hoping to get pregnant.
Now that’s messed up. Look, you should be proud of yourself—you were going to do the right thing.
That’s more than most men would do, including me.
” I hate to admit it, but the last thing I want is to have a kid.
Although when I see Riley walking toward me, I wonder if it wouldn’t be so bad if they looked like their mother.
We had a fantastic night hanging out and chatting. Everyone was happy for Connor, and now the girls were back to their matchmaking ways, even trying to get him to sign up for one of those dating apps. I’ve heard some horror stories from people who have tried it—he’d be better off on his own.
* * *
Riley
I needed to call Ashley about my inexperience in the bedroom and ask her if one size really fits all. She laughed so hard she peed her pants and couldn’t catch her breath for about five minutes.
She compared it to wearing a pair of skinny jeans. To put them on, you lie on the bed, wiggle them over your hips, and suck in your stomach as you zip and button them. They might feel tight at first, but the more you wear them, the more comfortable they become.
When I was about to cry, she finally gave me some good advice. She told me that foreplay was everything, and all I needed to do was relax, and I’d be fine. She also said that 95% of women would love to be in my position and that she’d volunteer as tribute—like that would ever happen.
Hunter and I have been home for about forty minutes, and he’s relaxing on the couch with his feet on the table. His hands are clasped behind his head, eyes closed. I don’t know whether I should go to bed or sit next to him. “You coming to bed?”
He peeks at me with one eye open. “Go to bed, baby. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Walking into the bedroom, I fight back tears about to fall.
I change into my boy shorts and a tank top, then slip under the cool sheets.
They smell like him—a mix of his soap and that spicy scent that’s all his.
He doesn’t want me, and I can’t hold back the tears anymore; my heart feels like it’s breaking.
He tries to open the door as quietly as possible, but it squeaks.
Walking over to the bed, he pulls back the sheets and slides in next to me.
His arms circle me just like last night, and I feel a lump catch in my throat as a sob escapes.
He gently rolls me over, brushing his fingertips lightly over my cheeks.
“Baby, why are you crying? What’s wrong? ”
“It’s Friday; tonight was supposed to be our first time.” Once I admit this, I begin crying even harder.
He leans his head against mine as he takes a deep breath. “I want you more than you’ll ever know.”
Suddenly, I feel incredibly brave. “Don’t tell me, just show me.” If he rejects me again, I think I might die.