Chapter 6
Korie
I was fresh off a job, running on three hours of sleep and an energy drink, but here I was, rushing to my best friend’s little sister’s house to install a free security system.
After pulling up to her house and hauling everything I needed from the truck, Riah answered the door before I could even finish knocking.
The faint, pink flush of her cheeks sent a fluttering shock to my stomach and a goofy smile across my face.
As I felt my own cheeks start to heat, I raised the coffee and pastries in front of my face to hide the evidence.
She ushered me inside and I set the refreshments on the kitchen island before moving the security system supplies in the door. She examined each cup as I made my way back to her side.
“Is this one for me?” She plucked the paper coffee from the drink carrier, her eyes lighting up as I nodded. “How did you…”
Now my face was really on fire. Had I remembered her exact coffee order from 5 years ago? Yes. Was I just now realising how creepy that was? Also, yes. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. The awe in her wide eyes was enough for any embarrassment to be worth it.
“Do you remember when your parents used to drive us all over to Eddie and my basketball tournaments?”
Riah nodded.
“We always used to stop for coffee and treats. You always got the same thing.” I gestured to the pastry box with my chin.
She squinted in playful suspicion as she lifted the lid.
“Wow.” Her breathy sigh prickled under my skin. “You have an amazing memory.”
I watched as she brought her cup to her lips and took a long sip. I was not prepared for the low groan that rumbled in her chest. I had to steady myself to keep my knees from buckling.
“I really needed this, thank you.”
I reached around her, dangerously close to her hips that rested against the counter, and slid my own drink towards me. Instead of standing straight up again, I leaned over the counter, looking up at her from inches away. Her deep brown eyes pierced into mine.
“You’re very welcome, Riah.” My voice was huskier than I’d intended.
Her throat bobbed. She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and chewed. Her full chest rose and fell dangerously close to my mouth. All I would need to do is lean forward just a few…
“Oh!” She quickly turned away, sliding her phone out of her back pocket. “Looks like my grocery order is ready!”
I hadn’t realized how hard I was squeezing my paper cup until the absence of her chest in my face pulled me from my haze.
“I need to go pick it up really quick…will you be okay alone here to get things started?”
“I’ll be fine, Riah,” I smirked as I took a sip of my coffee. “Drive safely.”
I watched as she drove away. I tried to focus and get started on my task, but curiosity was tugging in my chest. I squeezed the edge of the kitchen counter until my knuckles whitened, trying to hold myself back from the place my deeper desires were pulling me, but it was no use.
I checked out the window one more time to make sure her car was gone, set my coffee down and half-jogged up the stairs two at a time. Once in Riah’s room, I closed the door behind me. Although she’d just moved in, the smell of her surrounded me. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply.
I circled the room, running my fingers over the furniture Eddie and I moved in for her. A lot of things were still in boxes, but the little decorations here and there were unmistakably Riah.
Reaching her dresser just under the window, I pushed the curtain back to check the driveway again. All clear. My jaw clenched, fingers flexing in front of me as they hovered over the dresser drawer.
Just a peek, I tried to convince myself. Nothing else.
But when I finally pulled the drawer open and found a neat pile of lacey, matching bra and panty sets, I couldn’t help myself. I hooked a pair of panties around my finger, bringing it briefly to my nose and taking in her scent.
I shoved it into my pocket and ran down the stairs, carrying a piece of her with me while I finished my job.
After everything was set up, I connected the system to my phone, checking that everything was working correctly. Each place where I placed a camera flashed over my screen.
Once I was satisfied, my thumb hovered over the button to delete the feed and override function from my phone.
The crunch of tires rolling over gravel pulled my attention.
I glanced at the phone in my hand, back at the door and back down again, deciding to shove the phone in my pocket, deal with that later and make myself useful.